The Louisiana Tech Forestry Club sawed its way through the 55th annual Association of Southern Forestry Clubs’ Conclave, finishing ninth overall and placing in other categories. The competition was held March 15-17 in Raleigh, N.C., and was hosted by North Carolina State University. There were approximately 200 competitors. Dr. William Patterson, an associate professor in forestry, said the competition is divided into physical and technical events. Physical event competition includes archery, axe throw, knife throw, men’s bowsaw, women’s bowsaw, men’s crosscut saw, women’s crosscut saw, Jack and Jill crosscut saw, chain throw, log birling, log chopping, log rolling, pole climbing and pole felling, he said. Patterson also said that Tech finished seventh in physical events and 13^th for technical events. Senior wildlife-habitat major Amanda Taylor took first place in women’s bowsaw, while sophomore forestry major Isaac More placed fourth in pole felling. Junior forestry major Cody Garrett typed for fourth place in the axe throw. “This past year, our members have participated in the North Louisiana Sportsman’s Jamboree and the National Hunting and Fishing Day, recruited for the School of Forestry, raised money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and participated in the Association of Southern Forestry Clubs’ Conclave,” Patterson said. He said the Conclave is a forestry skills competition between 14 southern forestry schools, and he added that the Conclave is important for club members, because the skills applied are from what they learned in the forestry program. “It is vital that our students get to know fellow students from other universities because they will likely be working together,” Patterson said.  “Conclave unites students in the natural resource programs. They can compare programs and learn skills from each other. “ Patterson said there are roughly 30 students in the Forestry Club, and their next competition is April 28, as the team will compete with the Stihl Timbersports Professionals at the Winn Forest Festival. The Forestry Club has been at Tech since 1970, and all students with an interest in natural resources are invited to join. For more information about the Forestry Club, contact Patterson, club sponsor, at wpatter@latech.edu, or visit the Forestry Club website. Written by Sarah Brown