School of Natural Resources

Maple trees tapped at the Baskett Research Center

Dec. 15, 2021

An Untapped Industry

Maple syrup production is most known in the Northeastern United States, but is there a potential maple industry in the lower Midwest? Hannah Hemmelgarn, assistant program director of the Center for Agroforestry, recently received a grant totaling $473,481 for the project, Putting Maple on the Map in the Lower Midwest, to explore just that.
Snow covers a tree limb with a stone building in the background

Dec. 15, 2021

Potential for a Warmer Winter

Tony Lupo, a professor of atmospheric science in the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR), said this past fall – the months of September, October and November – was the sixth warmest in Missouri since the state began keeping records in 1889.

Dec. 13, 2021

Senior Spotlight: Ally Akyol

Akyol will graduate with a degree in parks, recreation and sport.

Nov. 9, 2021

Expanding Forestry Efforts

CAFNR announces gift to create landowner engagement position in forestry.
Samniqueka Halsey; glasses; grey suit coat

Oct. 19, 2021

Samniqueka Halsey Receives Outstanding G.O.L.D Alumni Award

Samniqueka Halsey, assistant professor in the School of Natural Resources in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) and CAFNR’s Faculty Fellow for Campus Community, received the 2021 Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU) Outstanding G.O.L.D (Graduates of the Last Decade) Alumni award. The Outstanding G.O.L.D Alumni award recognizes alumnus/alumna who have graduated in the last ten years and have excelled in his or her chosen profession. Honorees offer inspiration and encouragement as models for principled leadership and commitment to serving others. Halsey was recognized at the NEIU Golden Gala and Alumni Awards banquet on Saturday, Oct. 16.

Sep. 23, 2021

Ben Knapp Named Buddy Temple Visiting Scholar

Ben Knapp, associate professor in the School of Natural Resources, was named the first Buddy Temple Visiting Scholar through the T.L.L. Temple Foundation. The Temple Foundation first purchased a parcel of land in 1902, which is now part of the Boggy Slough Conservation Area (BSCA) in Lufkin, Texas. To honor Buddy Temple, who acquired BSCA in 2013, the foundation named three programmatic elements of BSCA after him: The Buddy Temple Visiting Scholar, The Buddy Temple Graduate Fellow (graduate student), and the Buddy Temple Symposium. Knapp was named as the first Buddy Temple Scholar. Through this opportunity, Knapp will partner with…
Michael Sunde

Sep. 17, 2021

Michael Sunde

Sunde’s research focuses on using quantitative modeling, geospatial and remote sensing approaches to evaluate the impacts of stressors such as urbanization, deforestation and climatic pressures on the environment and to map ecosystems at large scales, with an emphasis on watershed hydrology. His work uses an array of geographic, climatic and remotely sensed data, along with machine learning and physically based models to produce information that can be of utility to planners and decision makers. Educational background Ph.D. Natural Resources, University of Missouri…
Jacob Westoff

Aug. 27, 2021

Jacob Westhoff

The research conducted by Jacob Westhoff primarily focuses on the applied needs of state and federal cooperators as part of the Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. These needs often include study of life history, distribution, habitat use, environmental tolerances, and general ecology of aquatic organisms. Educational background Ph.D., Fisheries and Wildlife, University of Missouri M.S., Biology, Tennessee Technological University…
An early passion for broadcast meteorology and a desire to get a degree from a university in the state he grew up in led Matt Beckwith to the University of Missouri. Beckwith thought the atmospheric science emphasis area within the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) environmental sciences degree program would help prepare him for a career as a meteorologist. When Beckwith, who grew up in the Kansas City area, walked onto campus in 2015, he knew right away that he made the correct decision. Photo courtesy of Matt Beckwith.

Aug. 23, 2021

A well-rounded experience

The environmental sciences degree program prepared Matt Beckwith for a career as a broadcast meteorologist.
Jenna Fusinatto receiving the individual category award in the Mizzou Identity Brand Wagon Awards

Aug. 18, 2021

Jenna Fusinatto Wins Individual Category in Mizzou Brand Wagon Awards

Jenna Fusinatto, academic advisor in the School of Natural Resources, was recognized Aug. 16 in the individual category of the Mizzou Brand Wagon Awards for her work on the CAFNR Staff Advisory Council bi-monthly newsletter.