Rooted In A Century of Innovation

One hundred years ago, Virginia Tech planted the seed for forestry education with a single hire. Over time, that seed grew into the College of Natural Resources and Environment — a national leader in sustainable land management, environmental stewardship, and cutting-edge research.

Today, the college is home to four departments, 12 undergraduate majors, and world-class research programs that tackle challenges ranging from climate resilience to sustainable materials. In May, the college’s students earned 255 bachelor’s degrees and 60 advanced degrees.

As the forestry program marks its centennial, we look back at the milestones that shaped its legacy, explore the research driving solutions for a changing planet, and amplify the alumni and faculty whose work continues to protect and restore the world’s natural resources.

From timber to tommorow

When Virginia Tech hired Wilbur O’Byrne in 1925 to teach forestry, few could have imagined the academic legacy the decision would propagate. What started as a single course has matured into one of the nation’s premier programs in natural resources and environmental education.
“Forestry is all about manipulating the environment — it’s gardening, but with trees,” said John Seiler Ph.D. ’84, Alumni Distinguished Professor of Forest Biology. “Adjusting for light, water, soil — it’s a very hands-on science.”
Seiler, who has taught at the university since 1984, has seen the program expand well beyond traditional forestry. “What’s now the Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation started out focused primarily on forestry,” he said. “But over time, we realized we had more and more majors. We changed the name to reflect what we actually are.”
Adaptability, he said, helps the program remain relevant. “Our curriculum has never been static. We’ve evolved steadily based on what students need and what the job market demands.”
That spirit of evolution isn’t new. It’s been part of the program’s DNA since its earliest days. At the turn of the 20th century, Virginia’s forests were nearly stripped bare by logging and industrial demand. The first forestry course appeared in the 1902 catalog, but the program truly took root in 1925 when O’Byrne joined the faculty to lead forest management education.
In the decades that followed, Virginia Tech became the commonwealth’s center for forestry education, no longer sending — and funding — Virginia students to attend North Carolina State University for a degree. 
During the 1970s and ’80s, the program added fisheries, wildlife, and wood science; by 1982, Virginia Tech’s forestry school ranked among the top three in the nation. 
“Over the past century, our program has grown beyond traditional forestry where forests were primarily managed for fiber production,” said Eric Wiseman, professor of urban forestry. “Today, we address a much broader range of issues, from managing rural wildlands to understanding how urbanization impacts natural resources.”

Alumni lead the way

The College of Natural Resources and Environment boasts more than 10,000 living alumni — professionals who are shaping the future of environmental stewardship in government, industry, and nonprofit sectors.
As the program marks its 100th year, four Hokies offer insights on their work, their alma mater, and their advice to those who will shape the future of natural resources.

Brian Keightley ’01

Director, Urban and Community Forestry, Fairfax County, Virginia

What does urban and community forestry mean in practice?
Among the defining features that attract people to our county is the abundance of green spaces and tree canopies. As the county grows, it’s becoming increasingly challenging to balance new development, expanding infrastructure, and the establishment of additional services and commercial areas — while still preserving these vital green spaces and tree cover.

How did Virginia Tech Forestry influence your path?
I attribute much of my professional development to my undergraduate education. It provided me with a solid, broad-based foundation that enabled me to excel in a variety of roles. It’s fascinating how those experiences continue to influence my professional journey.

What advice would you offer to current forestry students?
Gain relevant job experience before graduation. Prioritize a strong foundation in the core sciences and technical skills essential to forestry. These disciplines offer critical expertise that is difficult to teach on the job.

Molly O’Liddy ’14

Urban and Community Forestry Partnership coordinator, Charlottesville, Virginia

How did Virginia Tech Forestry influence your path?

The forestry classes that I took gave me various tools that I still refer to daily. Without that exposure, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

Any special memories about your time at the university?
One of my favorites is of wetlands class with Dr. Aust. My class took a trip down to Francis Marion in South Carolina and spent a few days taking and analyzing soil samples. Each site was unique — on one site I sunk to my hips in mud and had to rely on a handful of classmates to pry me out.

What advice would you offer to current forestry students?

When you are looking for employment, if you find a position that looks interesting, apply for it. Even if you are not completely qualified, you may score an interview where you can introduce yourself. Being Virginia Tech Hokies — I would put my money on you any day.

Aimee Livings Tomcho ’98

Senior manager, technical operations, Family Forestry Carbon Program, American Forest Foundation, Washington, D.C.

How does your work make an impact?
The principles of forestry and wildlife management I learned at Virginia Tech equipped me with practical knowledge that was not only foundational, but also adaptable. Today, my work with American Forest Foundation allows me to implement the traditional practice of forestry through the modernized lens of the forest carbon markets … more than I imagined possible as a young college graduate.

Biggest lessons from Virginia Tech?

Virginia Tech taught me to be a critical thinker and how to be versatile in my career and the ways I chose to implement conservation sciences. 

What would you tell women entering forestry today?
Each of the women before you helped open more accessible pathways in forestry professions. Our unique perspective serves not only as an asset but as an essential cog in the wheel of global land stewardship.

Anne Hairston-Strang ’86

Director and forester, Maryland Forest Service, Annapolis, Maryland

What does urban forestry really mean in practice?

I’ve spent much of my career working with the Chesapeake Bay Program, and what we’ve seen is that forests, especially riparian buffers and urban tree canopy, are key to improving watershed conditions. Trees are a critical tool in protecting water resources.

How did your time at Virginia Tech influence your career?

What made Virginia Tech stand out was the depth and breadth of the education. I received experiential learning even before it was a popular concept. Fieldwork, labs, applied science — gave me both the theoretical foundation and practical skills to move into graduate school and eventually into public forestry leadership.

What advice would you give to young women considering a career in forestry?

Forestry is a lifelong learning career. If you love the work, it becomes a deeply fulfilling journey. Representation matters, and part of the reason I took this role was to help shape the future of the profession.

A mission rooted in research

While the college is known for its research excellence, Seiler said teaching remains at its core. "We’ve always believed teaching and research should go hand-in-hand," he said.

That philosophy is built into the colleges tenure process and hiring practices, which emphasize classroom excellence alongside scholarly work. It also influences the kind of research the college undertakes, tackling issues that are as relevant in the field as they are in the lab.

Today, a new generation of faculty is expanding the boundaries of forestry science — and wildland fire is central to much of that research.

"Fire is one of the most influential forces on our forested landscapes," said Adam Coates, associate professor of wildland fire ecology and management. "It shapes what species grow, how ecosystems function, and even how wildlife thrives. But it's also a tool — when used carefully and intentionally."

Coates leads the Wildland Fire Ecology and Management Lab, where he and his students study how prescribed burns — deliberately set, low-intensity fires — can reduce fuel loads, restore native plant communities, and improve forest resilience in a warming climate.

"There's a misconception that all fire is bad," Coates said. "But in many forests, fire is a natural and necessary process. Without it, we often see declining biodiversity, disease outbreaks, or worse, wildfires down the line."

Coates and his team conduct field research throughout Virginia and the Appalachian region. Their work is helping agencies and private landowners make informed decisions about when and how to use prescribed fire.

"We'll always be grounded in teaching and learning, study and research, in outreach and extension — those are the core pillars of our mission," said Wiseman. "But how we deliver on that mission is evolving."

Carrie Fearer, assistant professor of forest health, agreed. "Our forests look different today, and they will look different 100 years from now unless we protect forest health by equipping professionals to respond to threats rapidly."

From here, forward

As Virginia Tech marks a century of forestry education, its impact can be read in the forests its alumni steward, the policies its research informs, and the students it continues to inspire.

"Advances in artificial intelligence and environmental sensing are transforming how we study and manage natural resources," Wiseman said. "Sensors are cheaper, more durable, and more powerful than ever. Combine that with AI, and we can explore ecosystems in greater depth, uncover new insights, and educate students in ways that weren't possible even a few years ago."

"Forestry has changed a lot since 1925," Seiler said. "But what hasn't changed is the core idea: we're here to understand the natural world and help others take care of it."