Forestry Program Mission

The forestry program in the Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship at Colorado State University, through collaboration with other programs in our college and university, generates and communicates knowledge of broad areas of forest science and stewardship to students, managers, policy makers, peers, and the public. We strive to be a preeminent authority in forest science and stewardship through a well-rounded, interdisciplinary faculty encompassing broad expertise in biophysical, management, and social sciences. We manage programs, facilities, and technologies for applied, hands-on learning and problem-solving reaching broad audiences, from matriculated and continuing education students, researchers, forest stewardship professionals, and the general public.

Students collaborating while outside learning

Teaching

We prepare students with the knowledge and understanding to be the next generation of leaders in forest land stewardship and society. We offer programs of instruction that meet the needs of forestry baccalaureate and graduate degrees, and provide for certification and continuing educational needs of Colorado, the nation and international constituencies. The Forestry degree program produces students with well-rounded education in biological, physical, and social sciences, as well as specialized knowledge in forest science, management, and human dimensions of forestry.

Teaching Goal 1: We sustain and grow an undergraduate Forestry degree program widely recognized by employers and peers as being of the highest quality.

Teaching Objective 1: Employment rates for forestry majors actively seeking professional employment exceed 75% on an annual basis.

Teaching Objective 2: Qualitative feedback from employers consistently provide positive-negative feedback ratio of 10:1.

Teaching Goal 2: We graduate students that exhibit technical, analytical, and critical thinking skills and content knowledge of biophysical and social science applied to forestry.

Teaching Objective 3: Forestry majors consistently receive ‘above average’ or ‘excellent’ scores on the University’s institutional assessment and accountability program (PRISM: Plan for Researching Improvement and Supporting Mission).

Teaching Goal 3: We recruit, retain, and graduate a student population that is representatively diverse as the general population.

Teaching Objective 4: The gender and racial/ethnic composition forestry majors is proportional to that of the general population of Colorado.

Photo looking up a tree trunk

Research

We are engaged in comprehensive research programs that advance scientific knowledge and communication pertaining to sustainable, resilient forests for the benefit of Colorado, the nation, and the world. Our research is contributes to evolving scientific knowledge of forest ecosystems and stewardship, is responsive to constituency needs, provides for student involvement, and is integrated with our teaching and outreach programs.

Research Goal 1: We are recognized by peers, clientele, and the general populace as a program that produces relevant, high-quality research in diverse biophysical and social scientific topic areas associated with forestry.

Research Objective 1: Forestry faculty as a whole consistently rank high on citation indices.

Research Objective 2: Forestry faculty consistently receive public and media attention and professional awards or recognition.

Research Goal 2: We generate and sustain productive biophysical and social science research programs related to forestry.

Research Objective 3: Research funding and publications generated by forestry faculty comprise the range of biophysical and social sciences represented in the faculty.

Research Goal 3: We produce and disseminate research that is used to by managers and other clientele to solve real-world, on-the-ground problems.

Research Objective 4: Forestry faculty and their publications are in-demand by managers and clientele as evidenced by speaking invitations and requests for information or published materials.

purple flower in the forest

Outreach

We actively exchange information with individuals and organizations concerned with forest land stewardship to disseminate current knowledge and best practices, and obtain feedback for evaluation and modification of departmental programs. We serve the lifelong educational and training needs of forest stewardship professionals.

Outreach Goal 1: We actively reach out to and engage a broad range of clientele to receive, participate in producing, and apply current forest science to address immediate and impending forestry issues.

Outreach Objective 1: Federal, state, and local forest land and resource management agencies are impacted by forestry outreach activities at least once a year. Forestry faculty and researchers have at least two outreach engagements per year.

Outreach Goal 2: We conduct outreach and engagement programs across Colorado, the Western US region, nationally, and globally.

Outreach Objective 2: Forestry outreach activities reach national and global audiences at least twice year for each audience.

Outreach Goal 3: We make direct linkages between our teaching, research, and outreach programs.

Outreach Objective 3: Current research is integrated into updated outreach and educational materials (up-to-date references and citations).

fir branch

Service

We are active participants and leaders in local, university, national, and international scholarly and professional organizations. We are involved in faculty governance, professional, special or ad hoc committees, and other services, activities, or events in our respective disciplines.

Service Goal 1: We contribute to the governance of our department, college, and university through service-oriented activities.

Service Objective 1: Forestry faculty are represented on college and university committees and governance bodies.

Service Goal 2: We are active leaders in professional societies and organizations.

Service Objective 2: Forestry faculty serve in leadership positions or play substantially active roles in professional societies and organizations. Forestry faculty are recognized for their professional leadership.