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ESF Brings Northeast Collegiate Lumberjack Conclave to Oneida Shores Park
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — April 23, 2026 — The championship meet for Northeast collegiate timber sports is coming to Oneida Shores Park April 25–26. The Northeast Collegiate Lumberjack Conclave, hosted by the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) timber sports team, will run 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days. Thirteen colleges are expected to compete for top honors in traditional lumberjack events.
The two-day conclave brings together collegiate timber sports teams from across New England and New York for a spring championship rooted in forestry tradition. The competition highlights the physical skills historically used in logging while giving students hands-on competition outside the classroom. The event also marks a milestone for ESF, which is hosting the meet for the first time in its program’s history. The event is free and open to the public.
The conclave—or spring meet—is a decades-old event in the Northeast timber sports community with athletes competing in team, triple, double, and individual events, testing strength, skill, speed, and endurance.
Schools competing include ESF, ESF’s Ranger School, Alfred State College, SUNY Cobleskill, University of Connecticut, Colby College, Dartmouth College, Finger Lakes Community College, SUNY Morrisville, University of New Hampshire, Paul Smith’s College, and the University of Vermont.
Athletes compete in canoeing, team, triple, double and individual events including cross-cut, bow saw, log roll, barrel split, firebuild, axe throw, and obstacle pole.
“We're excited to host and defend the trophies after winning all three divisions last year at UNH,” said Luke Myers, team captain.
Timber sports is ESF's oldest sports team having started one year after the College’s 1911 founding and stemming from the traditional logging disciplines. The team practices through the year and has the opportunity to compete across the Northeast.
“Timber sports is an integral part of ESF history as a forestry school,” Myers said. “Participating in timber sports gives us the opportunity to grow outside the classroom, to work our physical muscles and give our academic muscles a break.”
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.