Deep Roots, Bright Future: 60 Years of Forestry & Natural Resources at CR

Published on Dec 4 2025

For six decades, the Forestry & Natural Resources (FNR) program at College of the Redwoods has been more than a curriculum. It has been a place where curiosity about the natural world becomes expertise, passion becomes commitment, and students leave prepared to care for the forests that sustain communities and ecosystems alike.

Founded in 1965, just a year after the college opened its doors, FNR quickly became one of CR’s cornerstone programs. In a county nearly synonymous with redwood forests, it was a natural fit. Since then, hundreds of graduates have carried forward science-based solutions to some of the region’s most complex natural resource challenges. “Sustainably managed forests are critical to the future of our planet,” says CR President Dr. Keith Flamer. “Our graduates contribute to economic growth, cultural preservation, and community well-being, not just here in Humboldt, but across the country.”

The program’s foundation was shaped by community leaders and foresters who recognized the need for education rooted in both science and stewardship. Among them was George “OG” Gentry, who joined the Forestry Advisory Committee in 1967 and began teaching forest measurements and natural resource conservation the following year. Gentry’s approach embodied the program’s guiding principles: professionalism, responsibility, and a belief that forestry education could serve both people and the land. He and his colleagues worked to design a practical, community-focused curriculum that balanced environmental, economic, and social needs, an approach that still defines the program today. They believed in preparing students not just for jobs, but for a lifetime of responsible land management and public service.

Hands-on learning remains the hallmark of CR’s FNR program. For students like Francisco Saavedra Jr., native California Indian, “(CR) gave me a foundational education that prepared me for success at the university level and in the workforce.” Reflecting on his experience, he says, “If I could have completed my entire bachelor’s degree at CR, I would have. That’s how much I value the program. One day, I hope to return as a professor and give back to the college that gave me so much!”

Saavedra Jr. also highlights the program’s role in connecting culture, community, and career: “The program gave me the confidence, skills, and connections to succeed. CR led me to my first apprenticeship with Redwoods Rising, public speaking opportunities as a Forestry Resilience Ambassador, scholarship opportunities, and lifelong friendships. Most importantly, the program helped me find my passion and purpose as a tribal restoration forester.”

That same commitment to hands-on learning remains the hallmark of CR’s Forestry & Natural Resources program. For students like Vaughn Mitchell, the experience is transformative. Growing up on the Laytonville Rancheria, Mitchell always felt at home in the woods, but the program deepened his understanding of forestry as a profession and community. “The program has helped me find community and purpose,” he reflects. “The unity between aspiring foresters is incredible. It relies on teamwork, respect, and a shared love for the forest.”

For Iona Mahony-Moyer, the program offered a bridge between curiosity and career. “I enjoyed a lot of classes in the program, but Dendrology with Maddie Lopez stands out,” she says. “Convincing a few people to enjoy tree ID is expected. Convincing an entire class is a miracle. It wasn’t just about tree identification; we also founded friendships and built confidence in our skills as foresters.”

And for current student Amanda Bollinger, learning comes alive in the field. “You can read about forestry, but you don’t truly understand it until you’re in the woods making decisions with your classmates,” she says.

When Dr. Tim Baker joined CR in 2002, he reshaped the curriculum to combine fieldwork with academic rigor. “When I started, the program was focused solely on the vocational/technical side of things,” Baker explains. “I rewrote the curriculum to have a broader dual focus on transfer and articulation with Cal Poly Humboldt as well as the traditional technical side of things. I think it gives the program a unique tone—strong academics combined with strong field technique.” He adds, “Much of the re-write was to better incorporate field experiences that tied directly into the background lecture material and that were key skills employers were looking for.”

Today, Professors Valerie Elder and Madeleine Lopez carry that mission forward. Elder brings decades of experience in conservation leadership, youth education, and professional forestry, while Lopez, a fire ecologist, adds expertise in prescribed burning, rare plant monitoring, dendrology, and oversees the Geomatics certificate program. Together, they embody the program’s commitment to mentorship, innovation, and connecting students deeply with the land.

In recent years, the program achieved a significant milestone: accreditation by the Society of American Foresters (SAF). Only two community colleges in California hold this distinction, which ensures that graduates are eligible for professional certification as Registered Professional Foresters. Accreditation opens doors for students to work across the country with agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management.

CR’s forestry students continue to distinguish themselves. Three students, Francisco Saavedra Jr., Corinne Alton, and Apigato “AJ” Perez were recently named Resilient Careers in Forestry Ambassadors by the California Community College Foundation. Their tribal roots and cultural knowledge uniquely position them as leaders in cultural fire management, a practice long emphasized at CR. For decades, the program has taught the science and ecology of fire, how forests evolved with it, how suppression has altered ecosystems, and how cultural burning can restore balance.

The program also continues to innovate with a new Geomatics Certificate, which helps train students in drone and sensor technology, mapping, and spatial data analysis for wildfire and forest management. Partnerships with CalFire and transfer agreements with Cal Poly Humboldt strengthen career and academic pathways, while scholarships such as the Green Diamond Scholarship expand access to forestry and allied trades like welding, business, and automotive technology.

From the beginning, the Forestry & Natural Resources program was built on a belief that education and service go hand in hand, a belief embodied by its founders and carried forward by every student and faculty member since. As the program marks its 60th anniversary, that vision remains unchanged: prepare ethical, skilled professionals ready to tackle challenges like climate change, wildfire resilience, and sustainable resource management.

As George Gentry’s son once reflected, his father “saw education not just as a profession, but as a calling—a way to prepare future generations for stewardship of California’s forests.”

For 60 years, CR’s Forestry & Natural Resources program has united students, faculty, and the community in a shared mission: to cultivate knowledge, foster stewardship, and ensure California’s forests thrive for generations to come.