Everything Nac

Thirteen students from Stephen F. Austin State University’s Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture recently traveled across the Netherlands to explore the country’s natural resources and robust horticulture industry through SFA’s study abroad program.

The trip, led by Dr. Brian Oswald, Joe C. Denman Distinguished Professor of Forestry, and Tina Oswald, SFA research librarian, spanned two weeks and exposed students to different natural resource perspectives as well as the origins of many of the cut flowers imported into the U.S.

According to data from The Observatory of Economic Complexity website, the Netherlands exported more than $4 billion in cut flowers in 2020 alone, making it the world’s largest cut flower exporter.

In addition to visiting the country’s national parks and floral production facilities, students toured museums, historic sites and the iconic canals of Amsterdam.

Due to restrictions from the COVID-19 pandemic, this is the first time since 2019 the course has been offered, which came as a welcome relief to students.

“I have always wanted to visit the Netherlands and get an up-close look at how they manage their relationship with the environment and their natural resources,” said Paige Graham, SFA environmental science major who participated in the course.

In addition to this study abroad program, multiple SFA forestry students also have had the opportunity to conduct research throughout the Netherlands as a part of Brian Oswald’s past collaboration with the country’s public safety agencies to address the growing threat of wildland fires.

To learn more about this and other student experiences, visit sfasu.edu/atcofa.