January 2004, Volume 5, Issue 1

November 4 to 6, 2003 marked a key gathering of forest scientists, landowners, professionals, and interested public in Berkeley. Dean Paul Ludden of the College of Natural Resources called for this event, known as “The Summit for Forest Science: Research, Teaching and Extension in the 21st Century.” The goals of the Summit were to:

• Define the cutting edge issues and emerging trends in forest science and management
• Develop opportunities for multi-disciplinary approach to forest science
• Develop mechanism to engage forest science with policy arena
• Identify outreach opportunities
• Identify teaching programs to train future leaders, managers, scientists
• Identify components for a world-class forest science program

There were 25 presentations by leading members of the forest science research community from Cal, and from other organizations from throughout the country. These presentations were organized into six major panels, all chaired by leaders of the forestry profession and non-governmental organizations. These panels were focused on: forest ecosystems; silviculture and forest management; forest monitoring; forest genetics and biotechnology; policy and social institutions; and teaching programs and curriculum.

In addition, we invited 90 people from a diverse cross-section of the forestry community to participate in a series of break-out sessions to allow us capture their ideas on emerging trends in forestry.

Mark Rey, Undersecretary of USDA, Sally Collins, Deputy Chief of the USDA Forest Service, Mark Emerson, Vice President of Sierra Pacific Industries, and Andrea Tuttle, Director of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection delivered timely keynote presentations to the summit participants on healthy forests, wildfire issues, forest policy, and workforce planning for the future forestry professionals. Professor Emeritus John Helms gave a wrap-up presentation on the entire three-day events.

Dean Ludden and UC’s Faculty of Forestry will be drawing on the activities of the Summit to revitalize the teaching curriculum, to guide future faculty positions, and to focus research, teaching, and outreach on the most important issues affecting the forestlands of California, the U.S., and the world. The results of the Summit can be viewed on Center for Forestry web site at: http://nature.berkeley.edu/forestry/summit.

Another exciting program thrust for Cal’s forestry program is a new coordinated emphasis on fire. We have recently added the first full-time Cooperative Extension specialist in wildland fire to our faculty, Max Moritz. We have also refocused the activities of the former Forest Products Laboratory by incorporating the programs of the Extension and Research program into the college’s fire program. The current expertise in fire within the Center for Forestry can now be viewed on-line at: http://nature.berkeley.edu/forestry/fire.

Please keep in touch, and let us know if you have any questions, or ideas, about the forestry program. We look forward to hearing from you!