FROM FORST-INSTITUTE TO SPbSFTA: THE HISTORY AND THE PRESENT 

In 1803 by the decree of emperor Alexander the First the first in Russia special forest educational institution was founded. Owing to forestry industrialization requirements Forst Institute was reorganized into the Forest Technical Academy, and former single-faculty institution changed into large-scale polytechnic higher school.

"... to acquire versed in forestry people who could be used at The Forest Department with greater benefit than present forest ranks, and for all precepts at forest conservation, cultivation and other parts of forestry to be taught partly in theoretical but more practical way. "

from the report "About
establishment of The Practic
forest school" made by
Minister for Finance, count
A. V. Vastlyev