Meet Nick Eiden, Steigerwaldt’s Assistant Project Forester. Nick assists non-industrial private and TIMO landowners to meet their forestry goals. Various projects include inventory cruising, timber stand reconnaissance, marketing, setup and administration, timber harvest security and monitoring, best management practices, and MFL plan writing. Nick leads a service contracting program, by working directly with sawmills to better understand current markets. Nick also assists with Steigerwaldt Tree Farm’s harvesting and retail sales. We sat down with Nick and asked him to give us a brief look into his journey to becoming part of the Steigerwaldt family.
Please provide a professional history introduction (prior and during your time at Steigerwaldt):
I gained experience in forestry with an internship with Steigerwaldt Land Services in Hayward before graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Fall of 2016. I then started with Steigerwaldt in January of 2017 as a Staff Forester.
Why are you passionate about this field?
I think it is very interesting and rewarding that the decisions I make today impact the future for the next 10-80 years (depending on the project). I am passionate about improving current timber stands to create healthy forests, while also meeting landowners goals and objectives.
Why do you enjoy working at Steigerwaldt?
I enjoy working with my peers, out of state projects for inventories are the most challenging, but most rewarding to me. I enjoy the variety of items in my day-to-day work environment. There are new locations, practices and goals daily and it is always exciting to see what the next day will bring.
Since you’ve worked here, how has the industry changed?
Technology is the biggest change I’ve seen in my daily work. The new ways to capture and analyze data. As a company, we’ve grown leaps and bounds inefficiencies to get accurate data very quickly. Timber markets change continually which I find is interesting as well, there are a lot of factors there.
What industry changes are you most excited about?
I am excited to see where technology will take us for the future of inventory projects, particularly improvements leading to further efficiency and accuracy.
What’s your favorite tree and why?
My favorite tree is white oak, they’re multi-purpose, lumber, bourbon barrels, etc.
What would you do with 10 acres?
I would maintain a sugarbush by boiling my own maple syrup.
Where do you like to go on vacation?
The American southwest, I’ve been to Arizona and New Mexico within the last year.
