Utah state university will use FY2026 mcintire-stennis cooperative forestry research program capacity funds, along with matching funds from the state of utah, to support research that addresses the…

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded Utah State University $426,590 under the McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Research Program (CFDA 10.202) on October 1, 2025, to support forestry research addressing seven mandated topic areas: reforestation and timber management, forest and watershed management for water flow and erosion control, forage production and wildlife habitat enhancement, outdoor recreation, forest protection from fire and pests, wood and forest product utilization, and sound forest land management policies and product marketing.

Utah State University researchers will advance tree and forage establishment practices, improve watershed and soil protection, support livestock and wildlife habitat, strengthen recreation opportunities, reduce fire and pest risks, expand wood and other product uses, and develop policies guiding effective land management and product marketing. The award includes matching funds from the State of Utah. Performance occurs in Logan, Utah, with a period of performance from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2027. As a formula grant distributed to state-certified institutions, McIntire-Stennis funds are expected to be fully expended in the fiscal year of appropriation, though current policy allows 50 percent of the allocation to carry over into the next fiscal year, with carryover funds fully expended by September 30 of that year.

Utah state university will use FY2026 mcintire-stennis cooperative forestry research program capacity funds, along with matching funds from the state of utah, to support research that addresses the key areas defined by the mcintire-stennis legislation: (1) reforestation and management of land for timber and related forest products; (2) management of forest and watershed lands to improve water flow and reduce floods and erosion; (3) management of forest and rangeland for forage production and enhancement of food and habitat for wildlife; (4) management of forest lands for outdoor recreation; (5) protection of forests from fire, insects, disease, and other destructive agents; (6) utilization of wood and other forest products; and (7) development of sound policies for forest land management, marketing of products, and other studies to achieve the fullest and most effective use of forest resources. Forests and rangelands provide essential ecological, economic, and social benefits. They are influenced by shifting environmental conditions, requiring plants, animals, and people to continually adapt. Water is especially critical in the intermountain west, where population growth and competition among agricultural, municipal, and industrial uses put increasing pressure on supplies. More than sixty percent of the region's land is publicly owned, creating both unique challenges and opportunities for management, research, and collaboration. Through this program, utah state university researchers will explore solutions that enhance the resilience, productivity, and long-term sustainability of forest and rangeland systems. Efforts will include advancing tree and forage establishment practices, improving watershed and soil protection, supporting livestock and wildlife habitat, strengthening recreation opportunities, reducing risks from fire and pests, expanding uses for wood and other products, and developing policies that guide effective land management and product marketing. The research supported by these funds will result in a range of deliverables: presentations at scientific meetings, publications for both scientific and general audiences, outreach through extension events and fact sheets, and tools or devices designed to address practical needs. The impacts will include new knowledge, adoption of improved management practices, and better conditions across utah and the western U.S. These outcomes will benefit forest and wildlife managers, landowners, policy makers, industries that rely on forest products, and the public. In addition, this work will strengthen connections among state and national agencies, environmental organizations, and the global scientific community, ensuring that utah contributes solutions to shared challenges in forestry and rangeland management.