Babs Stuiver (graduated 2006)
Forest and Nature conservation was not my first study choice, but it definitely was my best choice. I wanted to study something “real” and it had to do something with outdoors and trees, and that is what I got.
What made Forest and Nature Conservation my perfect study?
Well, that is quite easy to answer. It was simply my thing! Our trip to the Bavarian Forest is one not to forget. And at Terschelling I actually started to like the determination of plants and grasses, something I did not consider to be exciting before. A remark that came up many times during the studies and that still follows me around whenever I am in the forest or working on projects is: “Be critical, it is most likely not what it seems!” And that is exactly what makes forest so exiting; you have to keep your eyes open. If you do, you will discover something new all the time. One thing to keep in mind though is that once you have studied Forest and Nature Conservation the forest will never look the same.
The nice thing from the studies Forest and Nature Conservation is that it shines a light on forest and nature from many different perspectives. You might look to the forest from a timber production point of view, but also the demands of nature conservation, recreation and local inhabitants pass by. Another variety of perspectives you can find in the detail at which you are looking to the forest, everything from cell, plant, tree, forest stands, to satellite images comes by. The latter (GIS) becomes more and more important in the planning and practical implementation of forest management plans.
Why Wageningen?
As a local, born and raised in Wageningen, I always said: “I am not going to study in Wageningen.” I wanted a change of scenery. I couldn’t have been more wrong. As a student I was extremely happy that I chose Wageningen in the end anyway. As it turned out I got more changes of scenery in Wageningen than I could have imagined.
Something many might think to be normal, but which actually is quite special is “personal freedom when putting your studying program together”. I think that Wageningen University is really good at offering this and it definitely contributed to my study happiness.
My MSc years – Finland, Sweden, Forest Fire
I chose to do my MSc Forest and Nature Conservation in the specialization Forest Ecology and Management. I took the freedom to form my own program and did part of my studies in Joensuu, Finland and my internship in Umeå, Sweden. And I recommend everyone to take at least one of the opportunities to travel abroad. Not only to collect more knowledge, but even more so to learn to look at forest from many more different angles than is possible in the Netherlands. My two best examples in this matter are my broadened and, as I see it, more balanced view on forest production and hunting.
Thesis – Internship in which order?
In contradiction to many of my fellow students I chose to do my thesis in the Netherlands. For me it was the right choice, since I just came back from Finland and would leave again to Sweden afterwards. Besides that it is very nice to have the possibility to experience your research field through the seasons.
While trying to plan the timeframe for your studies you might want to think of the following. I did my thesis before my internship. A very good idea as I see it. If you get the chance to stay at your internship place, it is good to be able to continue working there straight away.
Status of Forest and Nature Conservation abroad
Since I live in Sweden now, I can say that our education is very much appreciated here. Of course, we have a slight disadvantage to the Swedish forestry students considering the knowledge and experience of the forest industry. On the other hand, we know a lot more about integration of forest uses, such as production, recreation, nature conservation. As I often say, forest management in the Netherlands is a much bigger challenge than that in Sweden. In Sweden they have the luxury to be able to choose. It is nature conservation besides production and not integrated. As an indication: Sweden is nowadays aiming to set aside 900 000 ha of forest for nature conservation purposes. If you compare that to the total forest cover of the Netherlands (ca 300 000 ha) than you understand the difference and what I consider to be a luxury. The amount of forest allows them to make these choices rather than forcing them to integrate. However, also here integration of production, environment and social values (recreation, hunting, fishing, education, reindeer herding, etc) will be the future. And I consider that the Wageningen Forest and Nature Conservation students are well equipped to be part of these developments both in the Netherlands and abroad.
Besides the contents of the studies it is my opinion that the research skills one collects while doing his/her MSc in Forest and Nature Conservation are very good. Especially the own initiative on choosing the subject, writing the proposal, develop your own methods, in other words being part of the whole research process, are not as common as you might think when you are studying at the WUR. At the time you might think it is difficult, maybe even frustrating and not fair, but when you are finished and get to look around a bit you start to realize that you are one step ahead of many other forestry graduates.
After my studies
After my studies I worked on several short projects and have been teaching assistant in Wageningen as well. Due to my choice to move to another country, my start in the working world has been slightly delayed. But I just finished my first job as a nature guide and will soon start as a trainee at the Swedish Forest Agency, where I will mainly work with forest production and nature conservation issues.
