The Council of Eastern Forest Technician Schools will hold its 2005 annual meeting at Pennsylvania College of Technology's Schneebeli Earth Science Center next month, combining business with tours of the college's campuses and attractions throughout "Penn's Woods." The council, which represents schools offering two-year forest technology majors, will convene here from Aug. 3-6. Annual meetings typically are held at a different member institution, allowing participants to review academic programs and technology, and -- because they represent such diverse areas -- to see one another's woodland resources.
Dennis F. Ringling, professor of forestry in Penn College's School of Natural Resources Management, is half-way through a two-year term as CEFTS chairman. Among the goals of his tenure is having the Society of American Foresters move from recognition to full accreditation for two-year programs, since SAF currently accredits only baccalaureate forestry programs. Attendees at next month's CEFTS meeting will discuss inclusion of two-year programs in that process.
In addition to the business meeting, the agenda offers a slide presentation on Williamsport's lumber heritage, a canoe trip down scenic Pine Creek and a bicycle tour of the Pine Creek Rail Trail. Also on tap are visits to the Pennsylvania Lumberman's Museum in Potter County, the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon in Wellsboro and the Allegheny National Forest. Technical sessions on chainsaw maintenance and Geographic Information Systems/Global Positioning Systems are scheduled, as well.
More information about the organization is available at http://www.cefts.org online. For more about forest technology and other majors in the School of Natural Resources Management, call (570) 320-8038, send e-mail to naturalresources@pct.edu or visit http://www.pct.edu/schools/nrm online.