Student Spotlight: Grace

Grace Lewis, a Cherryville, PA native, is currently pursuing a dual-title master's degree in Forest Resources and Transdisciplinary Research on Environment and Society (TREES) at Penn State. She recently joined the James C. Finley Center for Private Forests team in January 2025 for a research assistantship, where she's working on a project alongside Dr. Allyson Muth to conduct research that aims to provide woodland owners with management strategies that match their goals while also supporting broader ecological values. Get to know her a little better by checking out our Q&A with her here:

What brought you to want to study forestry/environmental sciences? From a young age, I spent lots of time playing outside and was exposed to recreational activities like camping, hiking, and fishing. As I turned 12, I took my hunter's safety course and began to experience Penn's Woods in a new light alongside my father and grandfather – watching a starry sky fade into dawn, admiring the work ethic of woodpeckers, and passing the entire day in the forest during hunting seasons. When I reflect on these things, I am sure that these early days of spending time in outdoor spaces have intimately influenced my relationship with nature and the career path I have decided to pursue since that time. With that said, it wasn't until my junior year of high school that I discovered I was ready to let go of my old dreams of becoming a pediatrician and consider a different path. I had the opportunity to participate in the DCNR's ECO (Exploring Careers Outdoors) Camp between my junior and senior years of high school, which was really transformative for me.

Throwback photo of Grace embracing a tree; a love for forests even at a young age! | Photo provided by Grace Lewis

Do you have a most memorable/impactful class or experience during your time at Penn State so far? I am currently working on a project for one of my classes where we are engaging with a local community whose watershed has been impacted by the effects of abandoned mine drainage (AMD). While the project is still playing out, this has been a particularly meaningful experience for me already.

What has you excited about working with the Finley Center for Private Forests? I feel very honored to be working alongside the folks that make up the Finley Center team, and I am passionate about the Center's mission on both a personal and professional level. The recent Forest Landowner's Conference was also such a gift to be a part of and affirming for me and my interests in so many ways.

What are some of your favorite forest-related activities? Hiking, biking, birding, backpacking, camping, carving, hunting, fishing, foraging, painting, photography, and skiing are some of my favorite forest-related activities!

Is there a stewardship practice that you think is especially important for helping to sustain healthy and resilient private forests? Awareness of the diversity of species in our forests (flora, fauna, and funga alike) can be so powerful, and I believe taking the time to dig deeper and learn more about our forests is one of the greatest acts of kindness we can offer. Forests take on a whole new meaning when we engage in the lifetime journey of learning the names, colors, sounds, and more of the species that call them home. From there, we have the capacity to take meaningful action and be the best version of forest stewards we can be... as long as we are sure not to walk the journey alone. 

And lastly, what's your favorite tree? Eastern hemlock! When I lived in Alaska, the Western hemlock became a favorite too. One day I would love to have a dog and name it Tsuga!

American woodcock research; paw-paw hunting; and sitting amongst the ferns in Elk County | Photos provided by Grace Lewis

Thank you, Grace, for sharing with us a little about yourself; we're so happy you've joined the Finley Center team and excited about all the good things you’re contributing to our efforts!