ESF Students Visit Davey Tree's New SEED Campus for Career Exploration

01/26/2026

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Jan. 26, 2026 — Students from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) interested in arboriculture and urban forestry visited the Davey Tree Company’s newly opened SEED (Science, Employee Education, and Development) Campus in Kent, Ohio.

The two-day experience included a welcome banquet, facility tours, and hands-on educational sessions focused on tree pathogens, pest management, tree climbing techniques, and career development in the arboriculture industry. Students also had the opportunity to network with professionals from Davey Tree and connect with peers from other universities who share an interest in tree care and management.

“The SEED Campus visit was an incredible opportunity for our students to see the breadth of careers in arboriculture and urban forestry,” said Deb Hilbert, assistant professor in the Department of Sustainable Resources Management. “Experiences like this allow students to connect classroom learning with real-world applications, while building relationships with industry professionals who can guide their future paths.”

Hilbert noted that as the inaugural Davey SEED Campus Collegiate Day was such a success it will likely become an annual event, and ESF will be returning.

Faculty and staff who participated included Hilbert, Kate Mercer, and Meredith Chase from ESF’s Syracuse campus, along with Greg Vaverchak, Jamie Savage, and Ryan Savage from ESF’s Ranger School, located in Wanakena, N.Y. Students attending the trip were Thalo Smith, Jude May, Hannah Derzanovich, Karin Hoover, Liam Wood, Abby Chevalier, and Brigid McArdle.

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.