The University of Idaho Center for Forest Nursery and Seedling Research (CFNSR) highlights the key components of a land-grant university: teaching, research, and service. The Center operates the Franklin H. Pitkin Forest Nursery and the Seedling Quality Assessment Laboratory, and is a global leader in native plant regeneration education and research.

Former students have become leading horticulturists, seed specialists, researchers and nursery growers in both the public and private sector.

The mission of the Center for Forest Nursery and Seedling Research is to advance the science, education, and application of native plant regeneration with emphasis in Idaho and the northern Rocky Mountains by:

• Developing and disseminating knowledge on seedling biology, nursery practices, early stand silviculture, and genetic improvement to enhance seedling quality and ecosystem productivity;
• Training students for nursery careers by providing hands-on operational greenhouse training and research experience;
• Educating professional nursery growers to improve regional seedling production and quality;
• Producing high-quality nursery stock for the native plant industry and Idahoans