SEFS Emeritus Professor Robert Edmonds has penned a detailed history of forestry at the University of Washington. His well-researched book offers an in-depth, 113-year account of the evolution of the teaching, research, and outreach programs of the School of Environmental and Forest Sciences. Edmonds’ 216 page book was published in 2021 by Archway Publishing, Bloomington, Indiana, and is entitled, ‘Saving Forest Ecosystems: A Century Plus of Research and Education at the University of Washington.’

What began as the School of Forestry in 1907 has gone through many iterations to become the School of Environmental and Forest Sciences (SEFS). In the ‘60s and ‘70s the school’s focus began to shift from traditional forestry, involving just thinking of trees as a source of lumber.  Forests were now thought of as ecosystems with multiple uses – forest products, sources of water, recreation, wildlife protection, biodiversity, etc. Through his own experiences as a forestry graduate student who arrived from Australia in 1966 to his roles as both a faculty member and administrator, Edmonds provides a unique lens for tracing the history of this important west coast institution which has provided so much insight into modern forest management. 

In writing this history, Edmonds recounted stories from his 54-year association with the College of Forestry, College of Forest Resources, and SEFS. He worked with the forestry librarian Carol Green to resurface forestry archives, theses and dissertations and spoke with alums, faculty and current students. Many of these conversations were recorded. The previous history of SEFS was written about in Henry Schmitz’s 1973 book, ‘The Long Road Traveled’,  which served as a source of inspiration for Edmonds’ book. He wanted to fill in the gaps between 1973 and the present day, but also went back as far as 1895 when the first forestry course was taught. The last chapter looks forward to the future of the school and its programs.  

You can download a free pdf copy of the book here. If you’d like to make a gift to SEFS through the Robert and Vickie Edmonds Endowed Student Support Fund, please make a gift here.