We wrote last fall about a new Bachelor of Applied Sciences in Forest Resources Management at Grays Harbor College. As we said then, it’s encouraging to see a robust forestry education program in the heart of Washington’s timber country.

The college just received $26,000 in scholarships to fund tuition for the 2-year bachelor degree program’s first class of students (photo above). New students for the next two years will also have their tuition paid for. The grant money comes from the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Students interested in natural resources management, ecology research, forest harvesting, and drone and GPS technology should consider this local option for beginning or advancing their careers with local government agencies, improving management of privately-held lands, and private timber firms.

“This is an outstanding opportunity for GHC, our students and local employers, and the natural resources we have in our beautiful area,” said Lucas Rucks, Dean for Workforce Education. “This program allows for career advancement with some wonderful local employers, both private and government, but also continued learning in areas of managing working forests, the healthy timber lifecycle, conservation science, wildland fire, and surveying. We have a great opportunity available locally for anyone that enjoys working with their hands and loves being outdoors.”

“This is such a great opportunity,” first year student Jennilyn Franklin shared. “With this extra help I won’t have to worry so much about working next year as I complete the bachelor degree. I can focus on my studies and graduating!”

Students applying for this program must have earned an associate degree in Natural Resources, Forestry Technician, or a related field (these entry-level degrees are also offered at Grays Harbor College) with a 2.0 GPA before the next application deadline of June 30, 2018.

…The Bachelor of Applied Science in Forestry Resource Management program is limited to 25 students per academic year. Deadline to apply is June 30, 2018. More information is available at www.ghc.edu or by requesting information from Katie Dailey at (360) 538-4030 or katie.dailey@ghc.edu.