Program Mission
The mission of the Forestry and Natural Resources Career Mentorship Program is to increase recruitment and retention of early-career forestry professionals by: pairing university and community college students with a professional mentor, providing networking and training opportunities, and offering insight into a forestry career.
The Program recognizes that a diverse and expanded workforce is essential to addressing current and future challenges facing the field. We encourage support for underrepresented groups in the profession, including women, Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, Pacific Islander, and LGBTQIA+ by: providing training on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) for participants, pairing participants based on shared professional interests and identity (when requested), and showcasing the diversity of identities and specialties that exist within the field of forestry.
Navigating professional forestry and natural resource careers after graduation can be challenging for students and young professionals, and this program aims to provide a network of support as they establish a career within these fields. Tailored mentorship eases the transition from school to the professional world, and has the potential to increase recruitment and retention rates in forestry and natural resources.
Program History
In 2022, CAL FIRE’s Wood Products and Bioenergy Team awarded the Placer County RCD a grant amounting to $250,880 to fund the Forestry and Natural Resources Career Mentorship Program, along with seed funding from California Licensed Foresters Association, Women in Timber, and the UC Cooperative Extension. In 2025, Placer RCD was fortunate enough to receive an additional award from CAL FIRE to continue Program operations.
Steering Committee
The Steering Committee is responsible for oversight and successful implementation of all program activities, including:
- Recruiting program participants
- Forming a Pairing Committee to pair students with mentors
- Outreach to participating schools (faculty representatives)
- Facilitate mentorship pairings based on common interests, professional goals, identity and experiences.
- Facilitation of initial meetings to catalyze mentor-mentee relationships
- Providing mentors with professional mentorship training.
- Arbitration and resolution of conflicts that may arise between the mentor and mentee.
- Managing the annual budget
- Review status of partner organization status annually and coordinate fundraising efforts.
The Steering Committee consists of seven (7) voting members including the Chair, Vice-chair, Secretary, a student representative, and three (3) members at large. A single representative from CLFA shall be included in the voting members of the Steering Committee and up to four (4) additional voting members as decided by Steering Committee members. The student member of the Steering Committee must have participated in the Program previously to serve on the Committee.
2025/2026 Steering Committee Members:
- Allison Erny, Chair – Mason, Bruce & Girard
- Olivia Fiori, Vice-Chair – Sonoma County
- Cameron Musser – Sierra Cascade Land Stewards
- Renaldo Arroyo – Bakersfield College
- Ashton Ferry, Student Representative – Cal Poly Humboldt
- Cole Humphrey – Hearst Forests
- Joseph King – Sierra Pacific Industries
- Corrie Munger – CA Licensed Foresters Association and UC Berkeley
- Christie Pollet-Young – SCS Global Services
- Ricky Satomi – UC Cooperative Extension
2023/2024 Faculty Representatives
- Renaldo Arroyo – Bakersfield College
- Valerie Elder – College of the Redwoods
- Rachelle Hedges – UC Berkeley
- Erin Kelly – Cal Poly Humboldt
- Lilli Kaarakka – Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
- Melissa Markee – Shasta College
- Kayla Rodriguez – Reedley College
- Bridget Tracy – Feather River College Roles
Representatives at participating colleges and universities commit to the following:
- Support the principles and intent of the program as outlined in this document.
- Circulate Program applications, event notifications, and surveys to students at their school.
- Work with the Program Manager and Steering Committee to address any communication issues with students on campus.