The many features that make Davey’s SEED Campus ideal for training and research – its vast 200 acres, natural resources, and state-of-the-art indoor facilities – have been equally beneficial this fall to a group of college students studying surveying and mapping at the University of Akron.
Davey Resource Group and the university have partnered to bring students in a senior capstone class to the SEED Campus to work on land surveying projects. Fourteen students are working in small groups, each on a project and presentation that’s conducted on the SEED Campus.
Since going through safety training earlier this fall, the students have been using the space and technology to gather information on conventional surveying methods, GPS real-time kinematic positioning (RTK), and static and astronomical observations.
They’ll present their projects and findings at the SEED Campus on Dec. 4.
Davey Resource Group employees Mindy Bradford, survey technician, and Zeph Bradford, professional land surveyor, are alumni of the program, so it’s been exciting for them to see opportunities unfold for these students.
“When we were at the University of Akron, the field work was conducted with the space available on campus, surveying in a square on the sidewalks,” Zeph says. “But that’s not how it works when you start doing the job. This is a realistic environment for the students to learn the skills they need for real-world applications.”
They’re also hoping the program can be a pipeline for future DRG land surveyors. DRG offers an array of surveying services for clients, from government agencies and utility companies to private businesses and homeowners.
“It’s a great opportunity for students to learn about Davey Resource Group and the advantages we provide,” Mindy says. “College is a time where you can learn and be unsure. Surveying is a bridge profession that can provide a balance of office work and field work. There’s an emergent need for more surveyors, so we are trying to do our part in passing along one of the oldest and most essential professions.”
One of Davey’s 2030 Corporate Responsibility goals is to leverage the SEED Campus to be a force for good in the industry. By opening our doors to future green industry professionals to study, gain experience, and learn alongside our own employees, we are doing just that!
