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Slideshow

Students plan a route through the forest

What is it Like to be a Warnell Student?

You may need a good pair of boots. 

This will make more sense after your first lab, where you may find yourself out at Whitehall Forest walking a line marked between a row of trees, or looking under stumps for salamanders. These are some of the experiences that make Warnell so special, but our students have access to events, clubs, and other programs throughout the year that help them connect to friends and potential employers in the future.

Here are a few ways Warnell is special.

School Events

Every fall, Warnell hosts an orientation event specifically for Warnell students. This is a great opportunity to connect with students, learn about clubs, and meet new faculty and staff members. Warnell also hosts career events throughout the year, including a fall event that allows students to make connections for summer internships as well as a spring social that connects students with alumni and potential employers in a casual setting.

Guest speakers, club meetings and morning biscuit events throughout the semesters also offer opportunities for our students to connect and learn more about their chosen major.

Internships

We believe in hands-on learning, and internships play a key role in the student experience. Many employers seek interns through Warnell and interview students at the school each semester—for many, these summer opportunities turn into jobs after graduation. Our students may spend their summers combing the beach for sea turtle nests, trekking through the wilderness with a group of campers, or walking through the forests to inventory timber. In some cases, an internship may count as a course credit (but please talk to your advisor before pursuing this option).

Internship opportunities are posted on the Warnell Job Board.

Study Abroad

Warnell's Discover Abroad program is students' first stop when exploring courses beyond our Athens campus. Discover Abroad offers study abroad and service-learning programs on the theme of "sustaining human societies and the natural environment" in Australia, Fiji, Hawaii, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. These classes are open to any UGA student, but are specifically designed to fit within Warnell's programs.

Learn More about Discover Abroad

 

STUDENT CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS

Warnell students are some of the most active on campus. Find a variety of clubs within Warnell that reflect your interests and major—this is a great way to meet other students and also connect with professionals in your chosen field.

Ambassadors

Student Ambassadors represent the school at functions such as Homecoming, Georgia Forestry Association’s Legislative Day, and recruiting trips throughout the state. Ambassadors receive leadership and professional development training, and also mix and mingle with alumni and leaders in the forestry and natural resources professions. Benefits include

  • Build close connections with Warnell faculty, staff, alumni, and fellow students
  • Interact with leaders from the private and public sectors
  • Receive leadership training and certification
  • Special recognition at alumni and school events
  • Warnell swag! Every ambassador receives Warnell-branded clothing and other professional items.

Selection criteria:

  • Enthusiasm for the Warnell School and natural resources professions
  • Awareness of the importance of internal and external relationships to the school
  • Commitment to meet monthly as a group
  • Willingness to attend functions outside of school hours

See our current Ambassadors

 

AWRA: American Water Resources Association

If you are interested in learning a non-traditional aspect of forest resources or are just enthusiastic about water quality and the environment, then the American Water Resources Association was made for you. AWRA participates in quarterly stream sampling, the Adopt-A-Stream program, and Project Wet. 

OFFICERS: 2022-2023

Co-president Zachary Normile Zachary.Normile@uga.edu
Co-president

Bailey Martin

Bailey.Martin1@uga.edu
Vice President Gavin Guest Gavin.Guest@uga.edu
Secretary Caroline Shin Caroline.Shin@uga.ed
Yearbook Representative    
Advisor Dr. Todd Rasmussen trasmuss@uga.edu

 

Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management Society

SAF Forestry Club

The SAF Forestry Club, which is affiliated with the national Society of American Foresters (SAF), is designed to help students learn more about their future careers while having fun and socializing with people of similar interests. The Club is involved in a variety of school activities as well as the intercollegiate ASFC Conclave event. Conclave is a competition among 15 colleges and universities with forestry programs across the Southeast. Students compete in a variety of physical and technical events, including log birling, log chopping, crosscut saw, dendrology, and timber volume estimation.

OFFICERS: 2022-2023

President Kenneth Rogers klr85722@uga.edu
Vice President Jimmy McQuigg jgm48453@uga.edu
Treasurer Brendan Ianelli bmi89090@uga.edu
Secretary Jackson Osteen wjo64721@uga.edu<
Firewood Chair Nathan Newman nln30235@uga.edu
SAF Chair    
Yearbook Representative    
Advisor Bronson Bullock bronsonbullock@uga.edu

 

 

Student Association of Fire Ecology

SAFE at UGA is a student-led organization that promotes the application of fire ecology through science and education. We provide UGA students from diverse backgrounds with an open forum on fire ecology through which research can be shared, networks formed, and funding and information resources accessed.

OFFICERS: 2021-2022

President Karlin Edwards karlin.edwards@uga.edu
Vice President Jeremy McQuigg jgm48453@uga.edu
Treasurer Brendan Ianelli bmi89090@uga.edu
Fire Crew Liaison Avery Kelly nak24611@uga.edu
Advisor Dr. Doug Aubrey daubrey@uga.edu

 

UGA American Fisheries Society

A student sub-unit of the American Fisheries Society

The UGA Fisheries Society was formed in 1994 and became an official sub-unit of AFS in 2000. Members share an interest in fisheries, ecology, limnology, and other disciplines involving aquatic resources. The club strives to increase staff interactions with students interested in fisheries, as well as highlight Warnell alumni and friends who provide career advice and experience. Through conferences and volunteering, members hope to educate and include all students who want to learn about aquatic sciences and more!

Follow UGA AFS on Instagram

Connect via GroupMe

OFFICERS: 2022-2023

President Joseph Nolan Joseph.Nolan@uga.edu
Vice President Hunter Rider Hunter.Rider@uga.edu
Secretary Russell Wilson Russell.Wilson@uga.edu
Treasurer Alan Bond Alan.Bond1@uga.edu
Outreach Coordinator Taylor Bell taylor.bell@uga.edu
Fundraising Coordinator Savannah Perry Savannah.Perry1@uga.edu
Yearbook Representative Taylor Bell taylor.bell@uga.edu
Advisor Pete Hazelton phaze@uga.edu
Advisor Marty Hamel mjh50785@uga.edu

 

HERP: UGA Herpetological Society

The University of Georgia Herpetological Society was founded in 2005. In addition to hosting regular speakers from across the country, the society provides live animal outreach programs to groups in the community, sponsors field trips to nearby locations and regional Herp Society meetings, and provides an outlet for herpetological husbandry, research and conservation among UGA students and staff. Membership is open to anyone; to join, please email club advisor Dr. John Maerz.

OFFICERS: 2022-2023

President Seamus O'brien Seamus.OBrien@uga.edu
Vice President Victoria Pagano vgp17964@uga.edu
Graduate Chair Emma Browning Emma.Browning24@uga.edu<
Graduate Co-Chair Corinna Hazelrig cmh43279@uga.edu
Outreach Coordinator Avery Kelly
Yearbook Rep    
Advisor< John Maerz jcmaerz@uga.edu

 

Warnell Pre-Vet Club

The Warnell Pre-Vet Club is aimed at providing opportunities and resources for pre-veterinary students who would like to specialize in wildlife/exotics/zoological medicine. While the club originally formed as an outlet for Wildlife Pre-Veterinary majors, we are inclusive of all majors interested. We have speakers, volunteer opportunities, and help put on a few events every semester.   

OFFICERS: 2022-2023

President

Natalie Hayward

nah34773@uga.edu

Vice President Sydney Talley sat44075@uga.edu
Treasurer Alison Porter amp19562@uga.edu
Outreach Mary-Grace Moore hmm94763@uga.edu
Secretary Mary Susan Young msy52376@uga.edu
Community Service Chair Kaitlin Dees kld83363@uga.edu
Event Planner    
Social Chair Olivia King  
Yearbook Representative Sydney Talley sat44075@uga.edu
Advisor Sonia Hernandez shernz@uga.edu

 

 

 

 

 

The Wildlife Society

This club is the student chapter of The Wildlife Society and is involved in several functions during the year, such as the annual Wildlife Dinner, where students can sample a variety of exotic game dishes. The highlight of the year is the Wildlife Conclave, a competition among several universities from the Southeast in wildlife-related events. Some of the events include skeet shoot, obstacle course, kayaking, bow & arrow shoot, quiz bowl, and a drawing contest.

OFFICERS: 2022-2023

President Avery Kelly nak24611@uga.edu
Vice President Rhys Medcalfe rlm10364@uga.edu
Treasurer Elaina Maria elm46633@uga.edu
Secretary Seamus O'Brien Seamus.OBrien@uga.edu
Events Coordinator Morgan Lyons mnl50453@uga.edu
Yearbook Representative Seth Lee sjl26058@uga.edu
Advisor Michel Kohl michel.kohl@uga.edu
Advisor Gino D'Angelo

 

 

Xi Sigma Pi: National Forestry Honor Society

The Society’s objectives are to promote a high standard of scholarship, to work for the improvement of forest resource professions, and to foster a fraternal spirit among those engaged in forest-related activities. Membership is by invitation; requirements include a 3.0 GPA in professional coursework and an honorable personal character. Xi Sigma Pi is an active service organization.

OFFICERS: 2022-2023

President (Forester) Jack Derochers jed19391@uga.edu
Associate Forester/Vice President Matt Phillips matt.phillips@uga.edu
Treasurer Taylor Tengstrom tlt19050@uga.edu
Secretary Rhys Medcalfe rlm10364@uga.edu
Yearbook Representative    
Advisor Dr. Joseph Conrad  jlconrad@uga.edu 
Advisor Dr. Christian Montes crmontes@uga.edu
     
University Council, Undergraduate Rep Olivia Reed Olivia.Reed@uga.edu
SGA Senator Seamus O'Brien Seamus.OBrien@uga.edu

 

The Cypress Knee

Warnell's annual yearbook, The Cypress Knee was established in the 1930s by the Forestry Club to unite the members of the school. It stopped publication in 1972, but in 2012, students reestablished this tradition. Our student clubs play a large role in developing the content of each year's book.

Support Warnell

We appreciate your financial support. Your gift is important to us and helps support critical opportunities for students and faculty alike, including lectures, travel support, and any number of educational events that augment the classroom experience. Learn more about giving.