WCDS Senior Wins NC Forestry Essay Contest

Davis Beck, a senior at Westchester Country Day School, won first place in the high school division of the 2023 Forest Products Week Essay Contest by the N.C. Forestry Association. 

The association judges reviewed entries by students from across the state and selected Beck’s essay on best management practices for forestry operations as the winner of a $200 prize, wooden trophy and certificate.

Beck wrote the essay in his environmental science class at WCDS. In the essay, he puts himself in the shoes of a forestry practitioner, recommending the use of Streamside Management Zones to protect water quality, preserve natural habitats, prevent erosion and regulate shade and temperature. He writes with confidence as he discusses recommended priorities and his dedication to transparency and open communication as a devoted practitioner. He also describes the steps that would need to be taken to put his recommendations into place while following the guidelines of the N.C. Forest Service.

Beck writes in his essay, “I am committed to open communication and transparency throughout my operations, as we share a common goal: to strike a balance between forestry practices and environmental conservation.” 

For more information on the competition and to view the winning essays, visit https://www.ncforestry.org/education/2023-essay-contest.