Local High School Students Learn about Recycling Paper

Posted on February 7, 2011 by moorman

NC State University Department of Forest Biomaterials faculty member, Dr. Med Byrd and Undergraduate Recruiter, Katie McIntyre recently spent two days bringing paper properties to life for Broughton High School chemistry students. Dr. Byrd gave a lively lecture about the chemical properties of paper, highlighting many of the concepts that they will focus on in their chemistry class in the coming weeks.

After learning the basic principles behind hydrogen bonds and flotation de-inking, students had the opportunity to recycle their own paper. Groups were challenged to recycle two sheets, improving upon their first procedure with the second sheet. Students with the cleanest, most uniform sheet, and highest yield in their recycled sheets were awarded with Wolfpack gear!

The Paper Science & Engineering faculty at NC State actively engage in outreach in our community. Lab and lecture instructions for papermaking, flotation de-inking, and other areas of interest are available for teachers and community leaders.

If you would like to schedule a visit to the NC State Department of Forest Biomaterials or inquire about a visit to your classroom, please contact Katie McIntyre at katie_mcintyre@ncsu.edu.

Environmental Technology and Management Students Shine by Thinking Outside of the Brick

Posted on February 4, 2011 by rwgonzal

Four students in the Environmental Technology and Management program, Eliza Jones, Sonum Nerurkar and Zack Schnell, and their colleague Bryan Maxwell in Civil Engineering won first place and $1000 for their idea of a solar gazebo in the NCSU Student Government Sustainability Commission‘s Think Outside of the Brick competition.

Read The Technician’s interview with two of the winners.

Networking and Career Fair was a big success

Posted on January 24, 2011 by rwgonzal

On November 17, 2010, fifteen companies and organizations filled the halls of Jordan Addition ready to meet students that are eager to land internships and jobs! For the entire three hours, the booths were filled with students learning about possible opportunities. Employer representation was wide, including government agencies, corporations, small businesses, and non-profit organizations. The energy among the employers, students, and faculty was apparent and contagious.

Students commented that the Forestry and Environmental Resources Networking and Career Fair was a great experience for increasing their knowledge of employment opportunities, practicing interactions with potential employers, and networking with experienced professionals. The employers told us that they were thrilled with the student turnout, and that they enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about the curricula that students complete within each major. Many stated that they were impressed with the students’ level of preparation for the fair and their professionalism.

Many thanks to the following employers for their participation in the Fall 2010 Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources Career Fair: Davey Tree Expert Company, Gelbert, Fullbright, Edwards & Randolph Forestry Consultants, PLLC, Kimley-Horn and Associates, North Carolina Cooperative Extension, North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, North Carolina Division of Forest Resources, North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Peace Corps, RTI International, US Army Corps of Engineers–Lakes Branch, USDA Forest Service, US Geological Survey—North Carolina Water Science Center, Weyerhaeuser, and William H. Lock & Associates, Inc.

See our photo gallery from the 2010 fair!

For more information about participating in next year’s Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources Career Fair, please contact Christi Standley at christi_standley@ncsu.edu or 919-513-2582.

NCSU Women’s Fraternity Makes Season Bright for Area Families

Posted on January 11, 2011 by rwgonzal

This December, the NC State University Chapter of Ceres Women’s Agricultural Fraternity held its First Annual Festival of Trees event. These remarkable women collaborated with faculty and the community to get five Christmas trees donated to area families. The trees were donated from area Christmas tree growers, including Misty Gill of Daniels Farm, Frank Barick, Bobby Brock, and A.K. Griffin of Griffins Evergreens. Ceres hosted the outdoor event in the campus brickyard, which involved decorating the donated Christmas trees from top to bottom with a variety of creative decor in an effort to win the tree decorating contest. Throughout the day, the organization played Christmas music, had a visit from Santa Claus, provided hot chocolate, and decorated the trees.

In the evening, the trees were on display for the decorating contest, judged by the College of Natural Resources’ Tiffany McLean, Dr. Barry Goldfarb and Dr. Gary Blank. The Agriculture Institute Club won the decorating contest with their tree adorned in tractor ornaments that were carefully created with candy. At the close of the event, the Ceres Women’s Agriculture Fraternity delivered the beautiful trees to five less fortunate families living in Wake County. Wake County Human Services helped the organization to find these deserving families.

The event was a great success thanks to the dedicated members of the Ceres Women’s Agriculture Fraternity, led by President Priscilla Morris, a junior in Forest Management. The Festival of Trees event offered students a chance to collaborate, celebrate, and give back to the community during the holiday season.

Budget Woes Affecting State Parks

Posted on December 22, 2010 by

While state parks remain a vital part of the nation’s recreation activities, analysis of the National Association of State Park Directors’ (NASPD) “Annual Information Exchange” (AIX) report indicates that government budget woes are having an effect on both expenditures and visitation in state parks nationally.

The AIX Report, produced by NASPD in cooperation with North Carolina State University’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, offers state-by-state data for a variety of topics – including vistation, capital expenditures, parks’ share of state expenditures, user fees, revenue sources and personnel.

Park directors use the report to put their parks in regional or national context and as a benchmark on a range of issues, such as facilities, attendance, fees, expenditures, personnel, and more.

The report defines park and recreation areas to include parks, recreation areas, and natural areas; historic sites; environmental education areas; scientific areas; forests, fish and wildlife preserves; and other and miscellaneous areas.

Read the complete article at GovPro.com