Student Groups

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Last Updated: Jun 03, 2026, 08:40 AM

Opportunities

At SIU, there are many opportunities for students to get involved and explore areas of interest. Here are some of the most popular RSOs (Registered Student Organizations) that our Forestry and Horticulture students are involved with. For a complete listing of RSOs on campus (and information on how to start a new one!)

View All Student Organizations

American Water Resources Association

Club Overview:

The Southern Illinois University student chapter of American Water Resources Association (AWRA) strives to provide opportunities for the development of professional and academic interests in the field of water resources and to provide information to the community at large. The group works toward this goal by hosting speakers in the water resources arena, delivering watershed education programs to grade school and junior high students, volunteering for local natural and water resources community activities, and recreating in local wetlands and streams.

Club Motto/Theme: "To provide for the development of professional and academic interests in the field of water resources, and to provide information to the community at large."

News:

The American Water Resources organization recently named the SIUC group as its most "Outstanding Student Chapter" in the country. Dr. Karl Williard, Professor of Forestry, said the club's success stems from the energy, enthusiasm, and commitment of club members. Each year, the club plans several hands-on projects throughout the year. Williard states, "They've spent a lot of time performing watershed education programs with middle school students, Girl Scouts, and the community at large... This has provided some great hands-on learning opportunities for undergraduate students who are interested in water resources management."

Club Officers:

  • President: Amanda Nelson
  • Vice President: Kristen Pitts
  • Secretary/Treasurer: Alex Eade

Club Advisor:

Meetings:

Regular meetings are scheduled throughout the semester. Check the club board near Room 187 in the Agricultural Building for additional information.

Events and Activities:

The SIU Carbondale Chapter of AWRA takes part in several events throughout the year. Some of the events include:

  • Fundraising for Intra-agency Networking Opportunities and Hydrophilanthropy Causes
  • Service Projects, such as trash pickups and sewer stenciling projects
  • Educational outreach opportunities like Girl Scout badge workshops and documentary screenings on campus
  • Fun activities like canoe trips, lakeside cookouts, and a photography contest
  • Expanding Your Horizons educational workshop
  • Piles Fork Water Quality Monitoring - Adopt a Stream
  • Stream Cleanups
  • Hosting professional speakers
  • Canoe the Cache

Links:

Contact Us:

If you would like additional information about the American Water Resources Association, please contact:

Fire Dawgs

Club Overview:

The Saluki Fire Dawgs were organized as aRegistered Student Organization in order to conduct ecological research and maintain wildlands across federal, state, and private ownerships. The Fire Dawgs participate in prescribed burns and other forest management and maintenance activities throughout each semester.

To learn more about the Fire Dawgs, you can view the following stories:

Club Advisor:

Contact Us:

If you would like additional information about the Fire Dawgs, please contact:

Forestry Club

Club Overview:

Forestry Club promotes forestry as a profession and camaraderie among students interested in outdoor experiences, natural resource careers, volunteer opportunities, and timber sports.
Some of the club's primary activities include practice/participation in the Annual Midwestern Foresters Conclave, club trips (i.e., hiking, camping, rock climbing, and outdoor-related activities), and Club events such as the Halloween costume contest, Friends-giving, Raccoon-supper, AG Banquet, and the annual Cocktail party. In our main event, the Annual Midwestern Foresters Conclave, students compete in traditional timber sports and forestry-related academic events with students from other universities across the country.

Club Officers:

President
Vice President
Secretary
Conclave Captain
Firewood Captain
Social Chair
Club Advisor:

Dr. Charles Ruffner, Faculty Advisor

Meetings:

Regular meetings are scheduled throughout the semester. Email us to check for the current meeting time.

Links:

Contact Us:

If you would like additional information about the Forestry Club, please email:
siuforestryclub@gmail.com

Also feel free to contact the club advisory team:
Dr. Charles Ruffner

Horticultural Association

Club Overview:

The SIUC Horticulture Association was organized to focus on the horticultural aspects within the Carbondale community. Members learn new technology and communicate with professionals working in the field. All majors are welcome.

Club Officers:

  • President: Daniele Brookshire
  • Vice President: Morgan Hazen
  • Secretary: Keyla Aguilar
  • Treasurer: Kevin Lavin
  • Event Coordinator: Logan Boyce
  • Communications Officer: Madison Pope

Club Advisor:

Kaitlyn Lamaster

Meetings:

Meetings are scheduled throughout the semester, on Wednesdays at 6:00 pm. Meetings are held in the Agriculture Building, Room 195.

Events and Activities:

  • Fall and Spring RSO Fairs
  • Fundraisers: Plant Sales, Pumpkin Sales, and Wreath Sales

Links:

American Horticulture Society
Facebook: @siuhortassociation

Contact Us:

If you would like additional information about the Horticultural Society, please contact:
Dr. Paul Henry
Daniele Brookshire

Horticulture Association members pose together on campus

NWTF SIU Longspurs

Club Overview:

The National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) is a private, non-profit conservation and education organization founded in 1973 with a mission dedicated to conserving wild turkeys and preserving our hunting heritage. The NWTF's more than 250,000 members and volunteers, along with its wildlife agency and corporate partners, have helped restore and manage North America's current population of more than 7 million wild turkeys. In addition, the NWTF, along with its conservation partners and members, has helped acquire or improve habitat on more than 17,000,000 acres (69,000 km2) of public, private, and corporate lands and spent more than $372 million conserving habitat and upholding our hunting heritage. Through its outreach programs, the NWTF family has helped thousands of children, women, and people with disabilities across North America learn outdoor skills. The NWTF's JAKES, Women in the Outdoors, and Wheelin' Sportsmen programs have helped people learn to better enjoy the outdoors as well as understand the importance of wildlife management and appreciate hunting as an honorable pursuit.

Club Advisor:

Meetings:

Meetings are biweekly on Thursdays. Meetings are held in the Agriculture Building, Room 209.

Events and Activities:

  • We have a conservation-related speaker at every meeting.
  • Great community service hours opportunities with our Wheelin' Sportsmen event (fall) and Women in the Outdoors event (spring).

Links:

Contact Us:

If you would like additional information about the Horticultural Society, please contact:
Dr. Jon Schoonover

Society of American Foresters

Club Overview:

As the collegiate branch of the professional organization, the Society of American Foresters chapter at SIUC provides opportunities for members to interact with professionals at state, regional, and national meetings. Helping to match students' abilities with employment is a major club objective.

Club Motto/Theme: "Growing Better All the Time"

Club Officers:

  • President-Makenna Baxter
  • VP- Will Nash
  • Secretary- Sarah Kachinovas
  • Event Planner- Peter Milsap
  • Fundraising- Nick Mohr

Club Advisor:
Dr. John Groninger

Links:

Contact Us:

For additional information about the Society of American Foresters, please contact:

MANRRS - Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANRRS)

Club Overview:

SIU has a student chapter for the National Society of Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences. MANRRS provides professional, academic, and networking opportunities for students. Members participate in community service activities and attend several annual events, including the National MANRRS Conference.

Club Officers:

  • President: Cree Glanz
  • Vice-President: Ciara Nixon

Club Advisor:

  • Kofi Akamani

Meetings:

MANRRS hosts bi-weekly meetings in the Agriculture Building.

Events and Activities:

  • National MANNRS Conference
  • MANRRS Week
  • Professional Development Workshops
  • Monthly Fundraising
  • Year-Round Community Service Activities

Links:

Contact Us:

Feel free to email us at: k.akamani@siu.edu