Science with real-world impact
The Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship at Colorado State University advances science that helps forests, grasslands, watersheds, and communities adapt to changing environmental conditions. Our forest and rangeland stewardship research combines ecological, social, technological, and economic research to better understand and steward natural landscapes. Working across Colorado and around the world, our researchers partner with land managers, agencies, Tribal communities, nonprofits, and private organizations to address complex environmental challenges through applied science.
Our research areas
Forest Management and Restoration
Developing strategies to improve forest resilience, regeneration, restoration, and long-term ecosystem health.
Rangeland Ecology and Stewardship
Understanding grazing systems, vegetation dynamics, biodiversity, and sustainable management of working landscapes.
Remote Sensing and Data Science
Using drones, satellites, LiDAR, modeling, and AI-enabled tools to monitor ecosystems across large landscapes.
Wildfire Science
Supporting wildfire planning, risk reduction, fuels management, and post-fire recovery through interdisciplinary research.
Climate and
Ecosystem Resilience
Studying how forests and rangelands respond to drought, disturbance, invasive species, and climate change.
Policy, Economics, and Human Dimensions
Examining governance, collaborative decision-making, economics, and community partnerships that shape natural resource management.
Student research
Research is central to the student experience in Forest and Rangeland Stewardship. Undergraduate and graduate students work alongside faculty in field studies, laboratory research, data analysis, and community-engaged projects that prepare them for careers in natural resources, research, and environmental leadership.
Undergraduate
Graduate
Why do research at CSU?
- Learn in the living laboratories of Colorado’s diverse ecosystems: shortgrass prairie to alpine forests.
- Benefit from strong partnerships with federal and state agencies, NGOs, and private landowners.
- Access field stations, experimental forests, CSU Mountain Campus, laboratories, and advanced geospatial technologies.
- Collaborate across disciplines at Warner College and Colorado State University, an R1 university.
Research highlights
Recent publications
Title
Authors
Year
“Aspen impedes wildfire spread in southeastern United States landscapes”
Matthew P Harris, Jonathan D Coop, Jared A Balik, Jessika R McFarland, Sean A Parks, Camille S Stevens‐Rumann
2025
“Indigenous stewardship rights and opportunities to recenter Indigenous fire”
Don L Hankins, Sarah M Bisbing, Amy Cardinal Christianson, Sara Clark, Cody Desautel, Christine Eriksen, Peter Z Fulé, Paul F Hessburg, Connor Magee, Scott L Stephens, Camille S Stevens-Rumann, John Waconda
2025
“Long-Term in vivo Observation of Maize Leaf Xylem Embolism, Transpiration and Photosynthesis During Drought and Recovery”
Brendan S Allen, Jared J Stewart, Stephanie K Polutchko, Troy W Ocheltree, Sean M Gleason
2025
FRS in the news
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CSU Society of American Foresters student chapter earns second place in national award
November 2, 2026The national award recognizes student chapters for achievements in membership, service, outreach, chapter management and engagement with the forestry profession.
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Fat Squirrel Week 2026: Big personalities, bushy tails and the power of voting
October 14, 2026Colorado State University’s favorite furry competitors returned to the spotlight Oct. 6-13 for Warner College of Natural Resources’ third annual Fat Squirrel Week, where eight campus squirrels competed for the coveted title of CSU’s fattest squirrel.
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Science Magazine features CFRI research in article “Future Forests”
October 6, 2026As the climate warms, the future of western forests is increasingly uncertain. CSU forest ecologists Marin Chambers and Camille Stevens-Rumann are studying assisted migration to understand how seedlings from different elevations respond to changing conditions and how their findings could inform future forest management.
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Opinion: Wildfire strategy doesn’t need a winner
October 6, 2026CSU researchers Tony Cheng and Matt Thompson argue that tackling the nation’s growing wildfire risk requires moving beyond competing approaches to fire management. Instead, they call for a coordinated strategy that connects fire suppression, forest and fuels management, managed wildfire and community preparedness.
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Yosemite’s meadows can be restored, but it will take time and effort
October 6, 2026Researchers at Colorado State University are leading an attempt to restore Yosemite National Park’s iconic meadows before it’s too late by reintroducing native plants that once covered the landscape.