Tony Cheng is the Professor of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship and the Director of the Colorado Forest Restoration Institute at Colorado State University. Tony also has a PhD in Forestry from Oregon State University, a MS in Forestry from the University of Minnesota, and a BA in Political Science from Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA. On today’s show, Tony expresses his gratitude for his grandparents, why forestry is incredibly important work, and leadership lessons he tries to instill in every one of his students.
Key Takeaways:
[:55] A message from Leadership Nature.
[1:35] A quick intro about Tony’s background.
[4:20] How did Tony get started in forestry?
[6:55] Tony shares how he first got into political science.
[9:35] Really, really find your passion. It may take time to find it, but don’t stop looking until you do.
[18:00] What was Tony’s first job in forestry like?
[24:55] Lesson one as a leader: It’s not about you.
[27:30] Tony explains why leadership is a verb!
[31:05] For every criticism provide 5 positive types of feedback.
[36:20] Tony is so grateful that his grandparents and parents took the step and sacrifice to migrate to the U.S. They went through a lot of suffering to ensure their children and grandchild could have a good life.
[41:25] Tony shares that he has never been discriminated against in his career. The forestry industry has welcomed him with open arms.
[47:25] What advice does Tony have for first or second generation Americans who wish to join a natural resource career?
[53:45] Celebrate your authentic self. Don’t let people hold you back because of your race.
[55:45] Tony shares some final thoughts about why forestry is so important for our world.
Mentioned in This Episode:
Alex Harvey is a 2005 graduate of Mississippi State University College of Forest Resources. He first began his career in Florida as a Forester before taking on a position with the U.S. Forest Service on the Allegany National Forest in Northwest Pennsylvania. Alex also took on a position as a Sustainable Forestry and Land Retention Program Manager for the Federation of Southern Cooperatives. On today’s show, Alex explains how enriching his work is, why he’s building a legacy he can be proud of, and how to incorporate more diversity into forestry.
Key Takeaways:
[:55] A message from Leadership Nature.
[3:45] How did Alex get started in forestry?
[8:40] Alex shares what it was like to get his first job in forestry.
[13:25] Alex is very proud to have worked with the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities and with African American landowners in Alabama and Mississippi.
[18:25] What has been the most memorable or fun job Alex has had so far?
[20:40] What kind of mentors has Alex had over the years?
[28:45] How can we bring in more diversity into forestry?
[34:30] If you want to be successful in forestry, you have to be able to connect with people in an organic way. Nature unites us!
[39:20] Why did Alex have to build trust with landowners about the forestry profession?
[42:55] What kind of challenges has Alex faced as a person of color in the industry?
[45:00] Alex shares some of his leadership experience and the first time he got a leadership role.
[49:15] What advice does Alex have for young forest professionals?
[53:50] Remember, you can achieve whatever you set your mind to!
Mentioned in This Episode:
Mavis Gragg graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill and Pepperdine School of Law and also has her own law practice, Gragg Law Firm. At her firm, she helps individuals and families maintain and grow their wealth. Her expertise is in estate planning, estate administration, and heirs property. Mavis shares what a lot of prominent black families have to go through when it comes to heirs property, things programs and universities can do to attract more diversity, and her personal experiences as a woman of color that works one-on-one with foresters.
Key Takeaways:
[:55] A message from Leadership Nature.
[1:35] A quick intro about Mavis’s background.
[3:50] How did Mavis get into forestry?
[6:35] Mavis explains what ‘Heirs Property’ truly means.
[7:55] What types of clients does Mavis typically work with?
[9:30] How does land loss and loss of ownership rights happen?
[12:20] Mavis shares an example of how land loss can impact African American families.
[16:15] When did land loss really start to become addressed as a problem?
[21:10] How does Mavis find her clients and educate the general public about the work that she does?
[23:15] What’s the most fun/rewarding aspects about this job?
[26:15] What career advice would Mavis give about natural resources?
[30:45] Over the years, what has Mavis learned about leadership?
[34:15] Life does gets busy, but do not neglect yourself. Mavis emphasizes why it’s important to practice self-care.
[34:55] What kind of mentors has Mavis had over the years?
[39:45] Mavis shares some of her personal experiences of being in the workforce as a woman of color.
[41:30] People of color have a strong distrust towards the legal profession, even if the professional is someone of color.
[45:25] Mavis shares what’s it like working with foresters and other professionals in this field.
[48:25] What can the profession as a whole do to better attract people of color into the industry?
[56:50] Find out who the leaders of your community are and connect with them.
Mentioned in This Episode:
Manrrs.org
Gragglawfirm.com
How Not to Save the World by Jessica Yinka Thomas
Terry Baker is the Deputy Forest Supervisor for the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland in Colorado. This is Terry’s second guest appearance on the podcast and he is the first guest to kick off season five of Leadership Nature. Today’s topic dives into people of color working in forestry, what the industry needs to do to better attract a diverse set of people, and so much more!
Key Takeaways:
[:55] A message from Leadership Nature.
[1:40] A quick intro about Terry’s background.
[3:15] How did Terry get into forestry?
[13:15] Terry is so glad that forestry found him. He had no idea that this was — and could be — a career path.
[14:30] Terry shares his thoughts on why there is a small representation of people of color in the forestry industry.
[16:15] People of color still have a very negative stigma about doing work outside and ‘in the fields.’
[21:40] What has Terry’s experience been like as a forester, a leader, of color?
[35:00] Unfortunately, many people in the forestry profession do not notice or are aware of how much a person of color has to constantly prove themselves.
[40:10] So many assumptions get thrown around on what’s the ‘right way’ to act towards a person of color, but in the end, we are just people!
[43:25] In order to truly achieve diversification in an agency, we have to be willing to have a dialogue and talk through what’s appropriate and what’s not.
[52:00] What does Terry see the future of forestry going?
[57:50] Terry offers his thoughts on what it means to build a legacy.
Mentioned in This Episode: