Camp 8 University of Minnesota Extension

In Episode 12, Eli talks with Eric Schenck, Executive Director of the Minnesota Forest Resources Council. The MFRC advises the governor on forest policy matters, and Eric is in a great position to discuss the state of Minnesota's forests from a policy and economic perspective. As the Council nears its 25th anniversary, Eric discusses the Council's role and prospects for the future of forestry in Minnesota. We also address the Council's structure and major programs, resilience of Minnesota's wood products industry, and the state of the logging and trucking workforce. Music by Marshall Usinger. If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element.

In Episode 11, Kyle talks with Katie Fernholz, president and CEO of Dovetail Partners, Inc. Katie has been a prominent member of Minnesota’s forestry community for a couple of decades now. Her work to advance forest certification and more recently innovations in the wood products sector have focused on the many ways that forestry can help solve some of society's greatest environmental problems. In fast-moving and insightful conversation, Katie and Kyle discuss her many leadership roles, challenges she has faced along the way, and how to advance change in the forestry profession. Music by Marshall Usinger. If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element.

In Episode 10, Eli discusses Minnesota's family forest owners with Mike Kilgore. Currently head of the University of Minnesota Department of Forest Resources, Mike has had a long career in research and service related to forest policy and economics. Family forest owners collectively control about 36% of Minnesota's forest land. Their decisions have profound influences on the state's timber supply as well as habitat availability and quality for forest-dependent wildlife. Mike discusses what we know about this diverse group of individuals and families. Music by Marshall Usinger. If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element.

In Episode 9, Kyle asks five questions with a forester of Patty Thielen, Northeast Minnesota Region Director at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. We hear that she would “rather wear hiking boots and long johns than heels and nylons” as a forester. Patty shares wisdom and anecdotes from her 25 year career with the Minnesota DNR. She discusses balancing multiple objectives across DNR lands and shares stories of the Old Growth Triathlon and when 3rd-graders at a public outreach event were shocked when the answer to their question, “Do you have to pay to be a forester?” was, “No, in fact they pay me to be a forester!” The audio quality during the interview was not quite as high as we would like due to rural internet connections but we feel that the quality of the content outweighed the occasional audio delay. Thank you for your understanding. Music by Marshall Usinger. If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element.

In Episode 8, Kyle asks five questions with a forester of Mike Reinikainen, Silviculture Program Coordinator at the Minnesota DNR, Division of Forestry. In his 8 year career so far, Mike has held a few different positions, giving him an interesting perspective on silviculture. Mike discusses working as a forester in the Metro, the challenges and enjoyment of serving private landowners, and more. Music by Marshall Usinger. If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element.

In Episode 7, Eli speaks with Dr. Mike Dockry of the University of Minnesota Department of Forest Resources. Mike researches indigenous models of sustainability, which is the topic of our discussion. We also discuss the land grant university system and the increasing popularity, but insufficiency, of land acknowledgments. Music by Marshall Usinger. Links from the episode: Dockry et al. 2016. Sustainable development education, practice, and research: an indigenous model of sustainable development at the College of Menominee Nation, Keshena, WI, USA. Sustainability Science. Lee and Atone 2020. Land-grab Universities. High Country News. Atone and Lee 2020. Ask Who Paid for America’s Universities. New York Times. If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element.