Meet Kylee Gregory, who is entering her junior year in Environmental Sciences Policy and Management (ESPM): Conservation and Resource Management. Ever a go-getter, Gregory also works part-time in the Department of Forest Resources office (among other part-time jobs) and has qualified for the Dean’s list every semester. Why does she work so hard? “ I always strive to do my best so I can help change the environment for the better,” she says.
How did you pick ESPM?
I was originally enrolled at the U of M for Youth Studies, but after getting adjusted to life here I realized that my heart really does lie outside of the cities. The idea of working outdoors seemed more and more enticing to me as time went on, and then I transferred to CFANS with the goal of becoming a conservationist. Now, I am able to combine my love of nature with my education and career goals.
What do you think of the program so far?
This program has gone above and beyond what I originally expected. Before, I felt like just a student at a large university, but now I feel like part of a community that genuinely supports my interests and well-being. The opportunities that I have had since transferring, such as working on my own research projects and supporting faculty research, are amazing and I can’t wait to see what else lies ahead.
What do you appreciate about studying forestry and ESPM?
It is so interesting to learn about how our ecosystems interact with each other and analyze how we can help them naturally. I am involved in both forestry and ESPM classes and each offers an insight into different aspects of conservation.
What are your career goals?
Helping the Earth is my main goal at the end of the day. I would eventually like to work for the National Park Service as a park ranger. By doing so, I hope to be able to combine conservation work with education and raise more awareness of environmental issues. The different ways that people interact with the environment has driven me to dive deeper into what makes people have certain attitudes about the outdoors, which determines how they treat the world around them.
What do you wish more people understood about ESPM?
I feel like most people expect ESPM majors to have a narrow set of career goals due to the specificity of the different tracks, but it’s quite the opposite. There are so many different ways to work on making the world a better place through ESPM, whether behind-the-scenes office work or field work. Overall, ESPM focuses on the world around us, including ourselves as a part of it.
What’s the most fulfilling thing about this field of study?
Knowing there are so many others who care about the environment as much as I do. Sometimes the state of the world can bring on a sense of hopelessness, but knowing that my peers and I can make a difference is so empowering.
The Forest Scene newsletter is published biannually in the spring and fall, featuring stories and updates from the Department of Forest Resources. Readers can download issue 29 of Forest Scene as an interactive PDF that is fully tagged and compatible with most screen readers, or read the individual stories here in a web-based format:
- Department Message from Kristen Nelson
- Faculty Retirement: Paul Bolstad
- FNRM Student Spotlight: Adam Langer
- From Student to Experts: Speaking With Your Audience – Communication tips from Forest Resources Professor and Extension Specialist Charlie Blinn
- Alumnus Spotlight: Steve Cook, Class of 1975
- Spring Semester Highlight: The Tree Ascension Club