Sustaining Forests

Forests provide a wide range of benefits to people.  We depend on healthy forests for everything from timber, to clean water, to specialty products such as ginseng, mushrooms and other non-timber products.  Our economy depends on healthy forests for employment, energy production and forest products, and also for the lovely settings that drive tourism and enhance recreational experiences. Sustainable forest management is the practice of maintaining and enhancing these benefits.

Everything we derive from forests is renewable, with appropriate management. Northern Research Station scientists are working in concert with National Forest and state forest managers, private forest owners, Tribal government, and non-governmental organizations to develop research that addresses specific needs and results in knowledge and tools that managers and planners can use to ensure healthy, productive, and sustainable forests.

Science Topics

• Methods to conserve and enhance forest resources
  • Timber productivity and wood quality
  • Special forest products
  • Wildlife and fish
  • Biodiversity and structural and functional complexity of forests
  • Recreation, experience of natural places
  • Feedstocks for bioenergy
• Forest resource monitoring and assessment
• Globalization impacts
• Science to support the National Fire and Fuels Strategy
• Understanding the ecological roles of natural disturbance