Jianna Torre is pursuing her Master of Forestry from Duke Nicholas School of the Environment, and she is our Conservation Forestry Fellow this summer at our Asheville office. 🌱 Jianna’s work focuses on our Richland Balsam Preserve, a pristine high-elevation spruce-fir forest located right off the highest point on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Spruce-fir forests in the Southern Appalachians have a long history of disturbance – from heavy logging in the early 1900s, followed by devastating wildfires due to this logging. As a result, it is crucial to understand the current ecosystem dynamics of these forests as well as the habitat upon which many wildlife species depend. Jianna is designing a comprehensive sampling and monitoring plan to collect data on the forest’s current status, structure, and composition. With the data collected from the monitoring plots, Jianna will craft a tailored management plan to ensure the forest’s long-term health😀. These newly established monitoring plots will allow us to track how the forest evolves over time. Her favorite thing about the internship is that her learning and professional experience extend beyond her project. She has been able to explore different preserves with TNC staff, learning about various ecosystems and their stewardship🌳🔥. We are lucky to have Jianna on our team, and we are excited to see the significant impact her project will have!
Go Jianna!!
MEM/MBA Duke/UNC | Consulting | Biodiversity Credits
2wCongrats on a great role and good luck with the fellowship!