My Story
As a first generation college student, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I began my college education. It didn’t take long before I fell in love with learning and later on to understand my passion for teaching. Growing up in southern New England, I always had an affinity for forests and a curiosity about how they functioned. I now work with students to understand how to best protect forests while maintaining their ecological, economic and social values. Through my classes, research and the Forestry Crew, we investigate management practices focused on non-timber forest products — especially medicinal plants, agroforestry techniques and maintaining biodiversity through natural regeneration methods. The Warren Wilson College Forest is an incredible resource and vibrant living classroom for this inquiry and a wonder place for our students to begin their professional careers as natural resource managers.
Dave EllumIn today's world it is not enough to just know things, we need people who can also do things. Warren Wilson students take joy in accomplishing both — incredibly well.
Education
- B.S. in Wildlife Biology, North Carolina State University
- M.F. in Forest Management, Yale University
- Ph.D. in Silviculture, Yale University
Research Interests
- Ecology and Management of Non-timber Forest Products
- Agroforestry
- Regeneration Ecology of Temperate Hardwood Forests
Courses Taught
- ENS 2330: Forest Biology
- ENS 3330: Forest Management
- ENS 3340: Silviculture
Crews and Other Activities
- WWC Forestry Crew
- United Plant Savers
- Forest Guild