Carson G. Engelskirger (Outstanding Recent Alumnus)

After graduation in 2005 with a B.S. in Forest Science, Forest Management option, Carson G. Engelskirger went to work for Baillie Lumber Company as an assistant log sales manager. His duties included purchase, negotiation, re-sale, and administration of high-end export logs at sawmills and export yards in Pennsylvania and New York. Carson had worked as an intern with Baillie prior to graduation.

In July 2008, Carson moved to South Dakota and began his current job as forest programs manager for the Black Hills Forest Resource Association. In this position he represents the forest products companies in the Black Hills, primarily on issues related to the management of the Black Hills National Forest. His work involves advocacy on forest policy, forest practices, national forest planning, forest-related legislation, and public information and education.

In recognition of his expertise and leadership abilities, Carson was nominated and appointed to serve on the 15-person Black Hills National Forest Advisory Board that advises the U.S. Forest Service on management of the Black Hills National Forest.

Carson is a certified Tree Farm inspector and serves as vice-chair of the South Dakota Tree Farm System. He coordinates and conducts forest landowner workshops, and designs and publishes the South Dakota Tree Farm System newsletter.

As current chair of the Society of American Foresters Dakotas Chapter, Carson plans and coordinates chapter meetings that address management, policy, and legislation at state, regional, and national levels. The chapter is actively involved in assisting local federal agencies (USDA Forest Service and USDI National Park Service) in developing forest management plans in response to an ongoing mountain pine beetle epidemic.

Carson is a board chairman and past treasurer of South Dakota Project Learning Tree (PLT) and serves on the steering committee for Wyoming Project Learning Tree as well. He assists with organizing and facilitating environmental education workshops for teachers and other educators. His dedication and skills were recognized by the National Project Learning Tree CEO and he was invited to serve on the National PLT Education Operating Committee that establishes national policy and the curriculum for PLT.

Carson is an active member of the Rapid City Chamber of Commerce, including the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee and the Young Professionals Group. His most recent participation with this group included a trip to Washington, DC, to talk with legislators about forest management in the Black Hills National Forest.

Also a governor-appointed member of the Wyoming Nonpoint Source Pollution Taskforce, Carson participates in making decisions and recommendations on monitoring, evaluation, and assessment of Wyoming's nonpoint source pollution program. The taskforce is responsible for allocating state and federal grant funds.