CES forester embeds with SNRAS

Glen Holt, eastern Alaska forester for UAF Cooperative Extension Service, has moved into the O’Neill building where he will have close proximity to the forest science professors.

As CES and the School of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences begin the process of merging, Holt is tangible evidence of the blending, and he couldn’t be happier about it. “Talking to professors of forest sciences or geography helps me to deliver the message, to take UAF’s research to the general public who can apply it right on their land,” Holt said.

Glen Holt

Growing up in Wisconsin and Michigan, Holt dreamed of becoming a wildlife manager, but after earning a bachelor of science degree in wildlife biology, he realized there weren’t many jobs in that field. He returned to Michigan State University and got a B.S. in forest management. His father was a forester, so Holt knew the value of forests for the land and the economy.

His career has been focused on field work and management, interspersed with gigs as a hunting guide and consultant. He has experience with the Division of Forestry, Department of Fish and Game, the U.S. Forest Service and more.

Holt has been with CES for two years, providing outreach throughout eastern Alaska and developing working relationships with state, federal, municipal and Native entities and private stakeholders. He writes newspaper articles and gives presentations about forest management, biomass production, fire and regeneration. How upland forest wildlife habitat management relates to an increased harvest for biomass is another topic of interest. Over the years, Holt has taken hundreds of digital photos depicting the boreal forest.

“I draw from university research and my own experience in Alaska working as a professional forester and biologist in Alaska the last 27 years,” Holt said. “I will have more opportunity to work with SNRAS research and projects due to the merger of SNRAS with CES. I look forward to the association as it complements each of our missions to UAF.”

Holt has been in Alaska since 1982. In his current job he particularly enjoys connecting with rural communities all the way to the Canadian border. He strongly believes in the value of the boreal forest and foresees the job market opening up soon for foresters as Baby Boomers retire. “Many people in the state are interested in the UAF forest sciences academic program being reconstituted and bolstered because there are going to be jobs to fill,” he said.

The boreal forest will only increase in value as the world seeks more biomass for renewable energy. “These are exciting times,” Holt said. “There are so many opportunities in applied northern forestry.”

Holt writes a blog and a quarterly newsletter that is available on the CES website. “I want to be a source of information,” Holt said. “To me, there are no dumb questions. Sometimes those turn out to be the most insightful.”

He and his wife Rose enjoy fishing, boating, hunting, birding and walking. Rose plays the banjo and Glen the mandolin and guitar. He is on the board of directors for the Friends of Creamers Field and is a hunter education instructor for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. He is a member of the Society of American Foresters and the Ruffed Grouse Society.

Holt’s office is O’Neill 313 and his phone number is 907-474-5271.