Building Mass Timber Workshop Equips Faculty with Tools to Advance Sustainable Construction Education

10/20/2025

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Oct. 20, 2025 — The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF), a national leader in environmental and sustainable education, is hosting the Building Mass Timber Workshop from Oct. 20–22 in collaboration with Think Wood and with support from the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities.

This immersive workshop brings together construction management faculty from across the country to deepen their understanding of mass timber—a renewable building material gaining momentum for its environmental and structural benefits. Through a blend of expert-led lectures, site visits, and hands-on exercises, participants will explore the full mass timber project delivery process, from preconstruction planning to installation.

“As the use of mass timber increases in construction, the benefits are multiplying for our forests, rural landowners and communities, construction industry stakeholders, building occupants, and our environment,” said Dr. Paul Crovella, associate professor in the Department of Sustainable Resources Management.

Workshop highlights include in-depth instruction on structural fundamentals, connection systems, and product types, delivered by leading voices in the field. Attendees will gain firsthand experience with mass timber design and construction through mockups and tours of notable projects, including the National Veterans Resource Center at Syracuse University, the Unalam fabrication facility in Sidney, and Cornell University’s Bowers College of Computing.

Attendees will leave with a ready-to-use curriculum module, a faculty resource guide, and access to a network of peers and industry experts to support future teaching and research.

About SUNY ESF

The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) is dedicated to the study of the environment, developing renewable technologies, and building a sustainable and resilient future through design, policy, and management of the environment and natural resources. Members of the College community share a passion for protecting the health of the planet and a deep commitment to the rigorous application of science to improve the way humans interact with the world. The College offers academic programs ranging from the associate of applied science to the Doctor of Philosophy. ESF students live, study and do research on the main campus in Syracuse, N.Y., and on 25,000 acres of field stations in a variety of ecosystems across the state.