Penn State School of Forest Resources is a department of the Penn State University, College of Agricultural Sciences. It contains the academic disciplines and majors of Forest Science, Wood Products, and Wildlife and Fisheries Science. It is the only research and teaching institution in Pennsylvania dedicated exclusively to management of forest resources [1]. The SFR is currently directed by Dr. Michael Messina, who took over following the retirement of Dr. Charles Strauss [2]. It is currently ranked in the top 10 accredited forestry schools in the U.S. and Canada by the Journal of Forestry [3]
Location and Facilities
editThe main (four-year baccalaureate) program of the SFR is located in the Forest Resources Building at Penn State Main Campus in University Park, PA. This building is designed as a unique reminder to students of the end products of forest management, incorporating over 15,000 linear feet of solid wood millwork, composite wood products such as Glulam, a green roof, and LEED green building certification [4]. Much fieldwork is performed in the nearby Forest Resources Lab, which contains its own sawmill and several greenhouses. A two-year technical degree is also offered at a branch campus in Mont Alto, PA.
Research and Extension
editResearch in the SFR is performed in many different fields. For example, much ecological research on forest types and dendroecology of old growth forests is performed by Dr. Marc Abrams in the forest ecology lab, while forest and climate interactions fall under the domain of Dr. Margot Kaye in the forest dynamics lab. Wood products marketing is handled by researchers such as Dr. Paul Smith or Dr. Judd Michael, whereas wood products manufacturing is part of the work of Dr. John Janowiak. Much extension work regarding the Marcellus Shale is conducted by Dr. Brian Swistock. Dr. Matt Marshall is a National Park Service coordinator for the Eastern Rivers and Mountains Network. For specific information on the work of all the SFR faculty members, please refer to their SFR Directory page.
References
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