Once upon a time, Lassen College had a very popular forestry program.  This was back in the day, with three large lumber mills in Susanville, another one in Westwood, along with the Lassen National Forest provided a lot of job opportunities. It was because of these factors that there was need for some vocational training in this field, and especially for the community.

In 1935, the college board of trustees, who also served as the Lassen High School board, met with Mr. J.C. Beswick from the State Department of Education, in charge of Trade and Industrial Education. It was met with enthusiasm by all parties, including the mills and related fields. On  September 19, 1935, a Technical Institute course in forestry at Lassen College was offered, with Gale M. Whitchurch in charge. Initially, enrollments fluctuated between 12 and 23.

It was the National Youth Administration (NYA) program that would provide a big boost in enrollment in the forestry program. The NYA provided youth between the ages of 16 and 25, opportunities for education, and a job, and in 1938, Lassen College participated in the program. It saw additional 40 students enrolled in the forestry program. These new students came from all over California. Now there was dilemma of housing. The Lassen Lumber & Box Company leased their large dormitory known as the Alpine Hotel to the NYA.  The NYA program continued through 1943.

The NYA provided a solid foundation for the college’s forestry program and following the conclusion of World War II would flourish especially in the 1960s and early 1970s. During those years, John Hamilton was the faculty chair. Other instructors were Al Stoll and Mike Moyers. Times changed, especially with decline of the lumber mills. In 1984 the program ceased to operate.

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