As part of Auburn University’s milestone celebration, the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences will host a panel discussion luncheon on Friday, Sept. 15, to honor 125 years of Auburn Women and 45 years of Auburn Women in Forestry, Wildlife, and Natural Resources.

The luncheon will celebrate the positive and critical role of women in conserving and managing forests, wildlife and other natural resources. Invited panelists will talk about their education and career experiences before concluding with conversation about job preparation and recruitment of women entering natural resources-related fields.

Panel members will include Mary Berkstresser, an undergraduate student within the school’s Natural Resources Management program; Cindy Lowry, the executive director of the Alabama Rivers Alliance; and Nina Payne who is a forest landowner, former consultant and currently a research associate with the Southern Forest Nursery Management Cooperative. The panel moderator will be Victoria David, administrative director of the University of Georgia Office of Diversity Affairs. After lunch attendees will have networking and small group discussions over dessert and coffee.

Auburn University alumni, friends, faculty and students are invited to attend the luncheon which will begin at 11:00 a.m. at the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences Building, Conference Room 1101, located at 602 Duncan Dr, Auburn. However, because seating is limited, reservations are required. Please contact Kelly Knowles at kelly@auburn.edu or via phone at (334) 844-1010 by Monday, Sept. 11, to reserve your seat. Parking is available on the 3rd and 4th levels of the South Quad Parking Deck.

In honor of this important milestone, the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences asked several of its female graduates to share their
career perspectives and the influences in their lives that can be attributed to their success. They also provided advice for current students and new graduates,
and insights about how the school can better support women pursuing natural resource-based careers. To read the alumnae biographies and their full responses, visit:

125 Years of Auburn Women, Alumnae Spotlight on Women in Forestry, Wildlife and Natural Resources