Madi Litzenberger
Northern Arizona University
MS in Forestry
National Needs Fellow
Current/future
I graduated with Master's from NAU School of Forestry in May 2025, where I worked with Dr. Andrew Sánchez Meador in the QuantitativeEcology research lab. Additionally, I worked with Dr. Jason R. Reinhardt, a research forester stationed at the Rocky Mountain Research Station in Moscow, ID.
My thesis research was based in northern Idaho at the Priest River Experimental Forest and focused on a landscape-level silviculture experiment aimed at restoring shade-intolerant species back to the landscape and understand the ideal set of conditions for their growth and survival. In collaboration with the United States Forest Service, the study spans 80 hectares and integrates 16 experimental strata across various canopy openness classes and site preparations methods. I used terrestrial LiDAR to quantify forest structure and the light environment associated with stand dynamics.
My long-term, overarching career goals are to contribute to forest health in a sustainable, positive, and impactful way and to take part in restoring disturbed and degraded forestland.
Background
I grew up in the Pineywoods of East Texas, where I received my Bachelor's in forestry at Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA), and where I fell in love with being in and caring for the woods.
I owe my comprehensive understanding of forestry and years of valuable field experience to SFA and their many exceptional professors. Throughout my time there I helped graduate students with their projects and did an independent research study involving lichens on a reclaimed lignite mining site.
While working the SFA Gardens, I gained additional valuable experience. Within over 120 acres of green space and 5 different gardens, I learned how to operate a skid steer, mix and apply herbicide, use a chainsaw, and gardening techniques such as mulching and pruning.
