Check out an interview with a 2025 graduate of the advanced silviculture for the practicing forester certificate from Colorado State University. Meg works at a carbon sequestration nonprofit and has a PhD in plant pathology from CSU. As a forest pathologist, she wanted to better understand forest management practices from the lens of a forester amidst a changing climate.
Meg works at American Carbon Registry (ACR) as a technical manager of forestry.
Visit the FRS advanced silviculture certificate page to learn more.
What is your degree (or degrees) including certificates?
I have a Ph.D. (2015) and an M.S. (2011) in plant pathology and a graduate certificate in silviculture (2025) all from Colorado State University, and a B.S. (2004) in Natural Resources from the University of Minnesota. I worked with Dr Bill Jacobi for my master's degree, and with Drs Ned Tisserat and Jose Negron (USFS, RMRS) for my dissertation.
What is your job title and short description and a reason you sought out the certificate?
As a technical manager of forestry at ACR (a carbon offset registry), my primary responsibility is the review of forestry-based carbon sequestration projects for accuracy, integrity, and alignment with the requirements of ACR's published methodologies and standards. I felt that earning a certificate in silviculture would help me to better view projects through the lens of a forester, in addition to that of a forest pathologist (which was my research focus in graduate school).
How did your degree and or certificate align with your career path?
Having coursework in silviculture has helped me by deepening my understanding of forest management practices, especially as our landscapes experience greater stress from a changing climate.
Was there a class or project that was especially impactful for you?
I found the use of FVS software very helpful, as it gave me a better idea for how forest growth and change is modeled. I also appreciated that the final project was comprised of a series of separate assignments, which allowed me to consider each topic in depth before submitting the final report.