The coronavirus crisis has kept many F&ES students and researchers away from Yale-Myers Forest this spring. Fortunately, Joseph Orefice ’09 M.F., a lecturer and director of forest and agricultural operations at the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, this week shared a series of videos that offer a glimpse of life in the forest during this unprecedented time.

It turns out, life carries on at the forest as it always has.

“This is one of the most enjoyable times for me to be in the forest,” Orefice says of being at the forest during the spring. “Life starts coming back and you’re reminded the forests continue to function without us.”

In the videos, Orefice, who teaches courses in agroforestry and forest management, shares a glimpse of spring awakening at the forest, shows evidence of emerald ash borer and other invasive species, and stops by to visit some of the cattle he keeps on a 133-acre plot of land that overlooks the forest. 

Orefice also oversees forestry operations and applied educational opportunities on the 10,880 acre Yale School Forests system.