Four Days of Hands-On Forestry & Natural Resource Science
Students represent Citrus Hill FFA while working alongside natural resource professionals in a real forest environment.
About the Forestry Challenge
The San Bernardino Forestry Challenge is a four-day
educational and competitive natural resources event where students apply
science, mathematics, communication, teamwork, and forestry skills
in an authentic forest environment.
Students participate in hands-on forestry training led by natural resource
professionals and develop technical skills used in forestry, ecology, and
natural resource management.
Hands-On Skills & Field Training
Tree & Vegetation Identification
Identify common trees, shrubs, and forest vegetation while learning how
plant communities help indicate forest conditions.
Forestry Measurement Tools
Learn to use professional forestry equipment to measure trees, estimate
forest characteristics, and collect reliable field data.
Field Data Collection & Analysis
Collect measurements in the forest, organize information, interpret
results, and use evidence to make natural resource management decisions.
Forest Ecology & Management
Evaluate forest health, ecological relationships, environmental
conditions, and current forest management challenges.
The Forestry Competition
Students work in teams representing Citrus Hill FFA and
complete a comprehensive forestry field test that challenges them to apply
what they have learned throughout the event.
Tree Identification
Forest Measurements
Stand Analysis
Mapping
Forest Ecology
Resource Management
Current Forestry Focus Topic
Teams investigate a current forestry or natural resource management issue,
collect field evidence, analyze information, and develop a
science-based management recommendation.
Students then prepare and deliver a
formal team presentation to a panel of judges, explaining
their findings, supporting evidence, and proposed management strategy.
From Forest Investigation to Final Presentation
1
Investigate a real forestry or natural resource issue.
2
Collect field measurements, observations, and evidence.
3
Analyze data and evaluate possible management strategies.
4
Develop a team recommendation supported by evidence.
5
Present findings and recommendations to a panel of judges.
Career Exploration
One of the most valuable parts of the Forestry Challenge is the opportunity
to interact directly with professionals working in forestry and natural
resource careers.
Foresters • Hydrologists • Soil Scientists • Wildlife Biologists • Fire Scientists
Students gain firsthand exposure to college pathways and careers related
to forests, wildlife, water, soils, fire ecology, and natural resource management.
What Students Develop
Participation in the Forestry Challenge is designed to build
environmental stewardship, critical thinking, technical forestry
skills, teamwork, communication, and career awareness.
Students experience natural resource management beyond the classroom and
practice using science and evidence to address real environmental challenges.
FFA Participation Credit
3 FFA Participation Points
Students who attend and participate in the
full Forestry Challenge trip will receive
3 FFA participation points.
Participation will be documented through the
AET participation system.
Learn More About the Forestry Challenge
Take your learning beyond the classroom.
Work as a team, learn from natural resource professionals, apply real
forestry science, and represent Citrus Hill FFA in the field.