Rob W. Eberhardt was the only student in the forestry program last year and says that experience "was a little bit isolating."

He's studying the distribution of different forest types in relation to historic land use practices at the National Seashore on Cape Cod.

Though his research is not done at the Harvard Forest, Eberhardt has his office at the forestry department's headquarters.

"A small program where you can do forestry and ecology work is very unique," says Eberhardt., who studied biology as an undergraduate at Swarthmore College.

Bellemare is working in the eastern part of the Berkshires, Matt L. Kizlinski is examining the effects of logging on Hemlock forests in central and southern Connecticut and Rebecca L. Anderson is researching the lateral expansion of peat lands in central New England.

Anderson appreciates the rich resources of the program that make it easier for her to concentrate on her research.

"I have as much time as I need, as much time as my project needs," she says. "You don't need an outside job. If you need a car, you can sign one out from the fleet they have here."

Foster, director of the Harvard Forest, says that graduates of the forestry program can go on to earn their Ph.D. or get a job working in conservation for a non-profit group, state or federal agency.

"This is a program in ecology as opposed to forestry," Foster says.

Harvard also owns pieces of forest in New Hampshire and Hamilton, Mass. where forestry students may do research.