SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry - Empire Forester Yearbook (Syracuse, NY)

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gxfensfon epa tmenf RALPH G. UNGER ff llli success of an American forest conservation program depends largely upon how well Americans are informed regarding forestry mat- ters. 'l'he need is great for public opinion favorable to the wise use of Aint-i'ica's valuable forest resource. 'l'he ingenuity of the public relations forester is taxed almost to capacity these days. The challenge facing him is to meet the responsibility of keeping people informed about our forest situation and about current practices and policies to improve the situation. True, there is in- creased interest in forestry, but he must not fail to nourish this interest so that it will thrive and spread. The College has taken steps during the past few years to keep pace with the public's increased need and desire for useful information and guidance. The staff of the Department of Forest Exten- sion has been more than doubled to provide such service. lixisting programs have been continued, in some cases expanded. Lectures before groups and extensive radio and television programs carry the forestry message all over our state. Exhibits at fairs, shows, and conferences call further attention to the importance of forestry in the lives of our citizens. New services include aid to l'I11lll1lfZlCl.UTCI'S of wood products and a tree pest identification and information center. lncreased requests for publications have resulted in the addition of another trained and experienced journalist, 'l'he 'business of furnishing useful information and creating a favorable attitude toward forestry is no-xv being carried on in a changing environment. lt has been found profitable to make forest pro- ducts fuom trees grown on land previously cut over. There is less dependence each year on original forests and more on forests that have grown during the past half-century. Technology has brought more and more forest products into daily life and has evolved a whole new forest economy. Forestry is popular in the industrial world because it is profitable. lforest recreation - camping, hiking, hunting, and fishing - are all-important in an urban, in- dustrial state such as New York. The water conserved by forest cover and the soil held back by forests on slopes are important to conserving natural resou1'CeS. Vtfith ilqie in-W glppl-Q-qigiiion uf fm-Q-gt values, people look to this College more frequently and in greater numbers for help and guidance. They also expect the College to produce trained leaders and administrators of An1erica's natural wealth program. The old-style centralized headquarters from which all propaganda, publicity, and public infor- mation in forestry Clmlmmwlv is he-ing given up. The new organization, already started in New York State, features regionalizefl public education and consultation centers. The forestry extension :worker is to work nearer his public than has been true in the past. l-le will, in fact, live i11 the same com- munity with them. Another new development is the employment of public relations foresters by industries. Expansion of this trend brings a need for more formal training of forestry students suitably qualified for t-his work. General forestry training coupled with courses in public education techniques is a development already in sight. Left I0 right Prof. Unger, Dr. Miller, Mr. llavis, Mr. Mc-yering, l'rof. ldonsl-ed, Mr. Roche. 'sg Ni-,f f l Yi 3' ,S I I V A ,Qs Ewa A .' ,i if ' . ' .57 34,3 '- I 23 I i Ia 'J' LV' ,Ig I - tg, ,I . , f . A A+ , .3 , r. hw ,Q .f, , ,, - A ,f - - I 1733

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