The objective of the mcintire-stennis (M-S) cooperative forestry research program at the university of georgia (UGA) is to carry out applied research whose outcomes support sustainable management of…

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded the University of Georgia $2.299 million under the McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Research Program (CFDA 10.202) on October 1, 2025, to conduct applied research supporting sustainable forest management in Georgia and train forest scientists.

The award funds multiple research subprojects across the program's focus areas. In timber production and reforestation, the University evaluates genetically improved plantations for wood quality, growth, and yield; advances operations research to support feasible, efficient, and sustainable forest plans; and assesses water use and soil carbon responses to environmental factors and silvicultural techniques. For watershed management and resource protection, a subproject evaluates enhanced best management practices to verify that southeastern forestlands deliver ecosystem services including habitat for native species, recreation, clean air and water, and mitigation against floods and droughts. In wildlife and forage management, multiple subprojects monitor deer, coyotes, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and fish while modeling responses to forest management and environmental factors to inform practices that improve wildlife habitat, support recreational opportunities such as hunting and bird watching, and build resilience to environmental change.

Work is performed in Athens, Georgia. The period of performance runs from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2027. As a formula grant under McIntire-Stennis, the funding is distributed to eligible state-certified institutions as determined by the Governor or designee, with the expectation that funds are expended in the fiscal year of appropriation, though up to 50 percent may carry over to the next fiscal year for full expenditure by September 30 of the carryover year.

The objective of the mcintire-stennis (M-S) cooperative forestry research program at the university of georgia (UGA) is to carry out applied research whose outcomes support sustainable management of forest lands for multiple benefits to people and nature in georgia, and to train forest scientists to support research and practice. Our program supports research in all M-S focus areas. In the area of reforestation and management of land for timber production and other related forest products, one sub-project will evaluate genetically improved plantations in terms of wood quality, growth, and yield. A second subproject advances operations research, supporting forest plans that are feasible, efficient, and sustainable. A third subproject evaluates how water use and soil carbon respond to environmental factors and silvicultural techniques over time. In the area of management of forest and related watershed lands to improve conditions of water flow and to protect resources against floods and erosion, one subproject will assess effectiveness of enhanced best management practices to ensure that forestlands in the southeast provide a range of ecosystem services in addition to wood products, including habitat for native species, recreation, clean air and water, and mitigation against floods and droughts. In the area of management of forest and related rangeland for production of forage for domestic livestock and game and improvement of food and habitat for wildlife, several subprojects investigate how forest lands can be managed to support wildlife and fishery resources. By monitoring deer, coyotes, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and fish, and modeling responses to forest management and environmental factors, these projects will inform practices that improve habitat for native species, ensure recreational opportunities such as hunting, fishing, and bird watching, and increase resilience to environmental change. In the area of management of forest lands for outdoor recreation, one subproject uses random stratified exit surveys along with visitation estimates to calculate economic impacts of tennessee valley authority's (TVA's) stream access sites. In the area of protection of forest land and resources against fire, insects, diseases, or other destructive agents, one subproject is focused on protection and restoration of north american ASH species under threat by the emerald ASH borer. A second subproject investigates the biology and ecology of native and exotic insect pests and evaluates best management strategies to sustain forests under threat from these pests. In the area of utilization of wood and other forest products, one subproject addresses the structure, profitability, and efficiency of small, independent logging businesses, and aims to help these businesses be more efficient and profitable. The southern forest industry is responsible for $230 billion in economic output and over 1 million jobs, and depends on thousands of small, independent logging businesses to harvest and deliver timber. Results will help them operate more profitably and deliver the timber necessary to support the forest products industry. Finally, in the area of development of sound policies for the management of forest lands and the harvesting and marketing of forest products, one subproject will evaluate risks to timberland investments from mixed asset portfolios. Another will use in-depth case studies, existing performance data, and remotely sensed land cover data to evaluate outcomes of cross-boundary forest management policies. Collectively, these outcomes will help to improve the design, implementation, and monitoring of policies and programs to better manage forests for ecological, economic, and social goals. Target audiences for all M-S work include forest managers, industry planners, private owners, students, scientists, agency and NGO partners, investors, and more