Please note that in 2009, csrees and the USDA identified these key issues facing forest management today: ecological restoration; C atastrophe management; valuing and trading ecological services;…

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded The Research Foundation for the State University of New York (doing business as Suny ESF) $1.313 million under the Cooperative Forestry Research program (CFDA 10.202) on October 1, 2025.

The award funds forestry research and education addressing seven mandated research areas: reforestation and management of land for timber and other products; management of forest watersheds to improve water flow and protect against erosion; management of forest and rangelands for forage production and improvement of wildlife habitat; management of forest land for outdoor recreation; protection of forest land against fire, insects, disease and other destructive agents; utilization of wood and other forest products; and development of sound policies for management, marketing and harvesting of forest products.

The funding period runs from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2027, with place of performance in Syracuse, New York. The Research Foundation for the State University of New York is a child entity within the broader Research Foundation system headquartered in Albany; the parent organization administers federal research grants and contracts across the SUNY system. McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Research funds are distributed to eligible state-certified institutions as determined by the Governor or their designee. Funds must be fully expended by September 30 of the award year or the following carryover year, subject to the 50 percent carryover policy.

Please note that in 2009, csrees and the USDA identified these key issues facing forest management today: ecological restoration; C atastrophe management; valuing and trading ecological services; energy conservation, biomass energy and BIO based materials development; forest fragmentation; carbon sequestration and climate change; and ways of fostering healthy forests and a globally competitive forest resources sector. They further identified the following issues of high research priority: science of integration (ecosystem or landscape approaches including interdisciplinary multi state projects); forest ecosystem services; human attitudes and behaviors; conflict, uncertainty, and decision making; technological advancements (biotechnology, nanotechnology, and geospatial technology), productivity, and forest applications; and urban ecosystems. The following core program areas were also outlined in the 1962 act: 1. Reforestation and management of land for timber and other products; 2. Management of forest watersheds to improve water flow and protect against erosion; 3. Management of forest and rangelands for forage production and improvement of wildlife habitat; 4. Management of forest land for outdoor recreation; 5. Protection of forest land against fire, insects, disease and other destructive agents; 6. Utilization of wood and other forest products; 7. Development of sound policies for management, marketing and harvesting of forest products; 8. Other studies necessary to obtain the fullest and most effective use of forest resources. The extent to which proposals address these priority areas will be considered in making funding decisions