The research conducted at the university of alaska fairbanks (UAF) agricultural and forestry experiment station (AFES) with mcintire

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded the University of Alaska Fairbanks $1.23 million under the Cooperative Forestry Research program (McIntire-Stennis, CFDA 10.202) on October 1, 2025, to conduct forest and agricultural research at the Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station.

The funded research addresses stakeholder needs for science-based information on natural resource management in forestry, mining, water, recreation, and energy. Research projects respond to requests from producers, industries, and state and federal agencies and cover plant, animal, and soil sciences, forest sciences, and resources management. Priority areas include enhancing sustainability of food, forest, and agricultural systems; adapting to and mitigating impacts of extreme weather; supporting energy security through renewable natural resource development; biodiversity and ecosystem health; forest response to ecological drought and system-level shifts; and wildfire vulnerability, insect infestation, and meteorological-induced stress affecting tree growth, wood production, water use, and wildlife habitat. The research also addresses Alaska's forest and agricultural bioenergy production potential and the economic development of timber and non-timber forest products.

The award obligates $1.23 million and covers the period October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2027. Work is performed in Fairbanks, Alaska. The McIntire-Stennis program distributes funds to state-certified forestry institutions as designated by the Governor; up to 50 percent of FY 2025 allocation may be carried over into FY 2026, with full expenditure required by September 30, 2026.

Abstract

Stennis funding will address stakeholder needs for unbiased, science-based information about natural resource management issues in forestry, mining, water, recreation and energy sources. Alaska's forest and agricultural resource potential for bioenergy production is immense but requires more research. The economic potential of alaska's forests is under-realized in timber and non-timber products. The forest ecosystem and agricultural lands can play a role in diversifying the economy of alaska. Concern for the health and survival of resource biodiversity will continue to be a central issue in resources management in alaska and elsewhere. As energy continues to become a growing concern throughout the world, the boreal forest has the potential to provide products necessary for ensuring energy security. The forest ecosystem also plays a critical role in the culture and quality of life of alaska citizens. The boreal forest is experiencing ecological drought and the impacts of system-level shifts at a higher rate than many other ecosystems. How the forest responds to these ecosystem shifts will have consequences for wildfire vulnerability, insect infestation, and meteorological-induced stress that impacts tree growth, wood production, water use, and wildlife habitat. More research is needed that focuses on these critical forest issues. Research projects will be in response to requests from producers, industries, and state and federal agencies for information on plant, animal and soil sciences, forest sciences and resources management. Afes priorities, like national priorities, are to enhance sustainability of food, forest, and agricultural systems; adapt to and mitigate the impacts of extreme weather; support energy security through the development of renewable natural resources; ensure a safe, secure and abundant food supply; strengthen environmental stewardship through the development of best management practices; and support individual, family and community development and resilience. Experiment station researchers will continue to publish research in scientific journals, conference proceedings, books, and in experiment station bulletins, circulars, newsletters, research progress reports and miscellaneous publications. Scientists will also disseminate their findings through conferences, public presentations, workshops and other public information programs like websites and blogs. Afes will meet with audiences on demand throughout the state in both formal and informal settings each year. Examples of these audiences include forestry and natural resource associations, remote and rural villages, regional corporations, borough and city governments and municipalities, grower groups meeting at regional and statewide conferences, industry stakeholders involved in fuel/energy production, and all soil and water conservation districts (both tswcds and swcds), and state and federal partners including but not limited to alaska department of natural resources (including the division of forestry), USDA, nrcs, and the national forest service. Stakeholder input will be considered in program planning to: identify emerging issues; redirect extension and research programs; guide staff hiring and action plans; set district and unit-wide priorities; and identify potential participants. Afes will continue to serve the needs of the people of the state of alaska. Input will reflect ideas and advice given by client user groups, students, expert advisors, state and national peers and collaborators and UAF administration. Stakeholder needs will continue to be a driving factor in determining afes priorities for research.