UMSS20 Student Profile: Deven Teisl

Deven Teisl, Ecology and Environmental Science
Tapping the Sweet Spot: Assessing a woodlot’s potential to transition into a productive, commercial-sized sugarbush.
Mentored by Jessica Leahy

Deven Teisl is researching the key site characteristics that are required on a woodlot in order for it to become a productive sugarbush. Producers of maple syrup must find these lots in order to convert them into sugarbushes. A site assessment tool was also developed by Teisl, which will allow those assessing a site to know whether they have picked a productive woodlot or not. Teisl’s research will help people in the maple sugaring industry by making sugarbush assessment easier.

“Getting the opportunity to participate in a research project that combined two of favorite topics – forestry and maple syrup – has been the best part of my college career and I cannot wait to provide the community with actionable results,” says Teisl.