Grow Your Community
Your Cal Poly experience extends beyond the classroom. Through professional clubs, competition teams and honor societies, you’ll find your people, build industry connections and put your skills into action while growing as a student and future professional.
Competition Teams
Whether you’re a first-timer or aiming for a national championship, you’re invited to join a team, challenge yourself and find your community through competition.
Logging Team
We are an intercollegiate team of students interested in traditional forestry field skills. This includes competitive events like double bucking, axe-throwing, horizontal and vertical chopping, and chainsawing. Participation with the logging team is also a good way to develop practical working skills in a safe environment.
Email advisor Samantha Gill (sgill@calpoly.edu) for more information
Looking for Firewood?
Contact: Ben Holtzen (bholtzen@calpoly.edu)
Soil Judging team
Soil Judging is a collegiate program sponsored by the American Society of Agronomy and the Soil Science Society of America. Students describe, classify and interpret soils as a professional soil scientist would, under a time constraint. Following four days of practice, students judge thres soils as individuals, and two soils as teams.
Email advisor Gordon Rees (grees@calpoly.edu) for more information
Professional Development Clubs
The Association of Environmental Professionals
Filled with students interested in networking and professional development in the field of natural resources management, The Association of Environmental Professionals keeps members updated on environmental volunteer, internship and job opportunities, and gives Cal Poly students the unique opportunity to connect with local professionals. With social events, conferences, and scholarship opportunities, AEP offers NRES students a unique and highly beneficial way to get involved!
Email advisor Priya Verma (pverma@calpoly.edu) for more information
Environmental Science Club (ESCape)
During biweekly club meetings, ESCape discusses upcoming events and frequently has guest speakers. Guest speakers include students, industry members, and professors who share their research, senior projects and travel experiences, among other things. The club is in charge of organizing department activities including MESA, the Open House booth and the annual banquet. ESCape also coordinates outings for club members such as beach clean-ups and barbecues.
Email advisor Yamina Pressler (ypressle@calpoly.edu) for more information
Student Association for Fire Ecology (SAFE)
SAFE is the student section of the professional organization, the Association for Fire Ecology (AFE). Cal Poly is one of 13 chapters nationwide. SAFE brings together students from diverse backgrounds who share a common interest in fire ecology and related issues, as well as providing an excellent opportunity for students to network with fire science professionals and students from other universities.
Although official membership in SAFE is not required, only students who are official club members can take advantage of reduced-cost or free attendance of annual AFE conferences and other activities held around the country.
Email advisor Christopher Dicus (cdicus@calpoly.edu) for more information
Professional Society
Professional societies help students build leadership skills, connect with others and grow academically alongside their peers.
Student Chapter of the Society of American Foresters
The Cal Poly Student Chapter of the Society of American Foresters functions as a professional organization that strives to provide the latest forestry information and contacts for students interested in forestry or forestry related careers.
Club leaders engage regularly with the California SAF Chapter.
Come to our next meeting and learn more about SAF. The success of the student chapter depends on the active involvement of all forestry students.
Email advisor Lilli Kaarakka (lkaarakk@calpoly.edu) for more information
Want More Clubs?
The College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences has more than 50 student clubs and organizations to help you get involved beyond the classroom.