University of Idaho launches Forest Innovations Institute to lead next-generation research 

MOSCOW, Idaho — A new interdisciplinary research institute at University of Idaho dedicated to advancing forestry science, management and innovation aims to partner with landowners, industry and government agencies to develop solutions for 21st-century forestry challenges.

The mission of U of I’s newly established Forest Innovations Institute (FII) is to help public and private forest landowners and industry partners apply the latest research and technology, said Dennis Becker, dean of the College of Natural Resources. This includes topics such as tree physiology and genetics, fire modeling, silviculture, forest pests and pathogens, harvest operations and the economics and policy of forest management.

“FII will engage broadly with public and private forest landowners, industry partners, tribal governments, nonprofits and other universities on a regional and even international level,” Becker said. “FII aims to ensure that forestry research is not only cutting edge but also grounded in real-world needs and opportunities.”

An important goal for the institute is to support workforce development and training in partnership with U of I faculty and students. FII will help prepare the next generation of forestry professionals equipped with skills in the latest technologies, as well as strong scientific and economic foundations.

These efforts align with University of Idaho’s strategic priorities to conduct research that generates practical solutions for Idaho’s residents and workforce.

PotlatchDeltic, which manages more than 620,000 acres of private timberlands in Idaho, has a history of collaboration with U of I’s forestry program.

Darrin Ball, the company’s vice president of Timberlands, believes FII will play a critical role for stakeholders in Idaho and enhance the work already being done toward sustainable forest innovation.

“Through our decades-long collaboration with University of Idaho’s College of Natural Resources, our sustainable forest management initiatives have benefited from high-quality research on a wide range of issues including research on forest nurseries, tree improvement, watersheds and forestry operations,” Ball said. “With more than half of our professional staff in Idaho being graduates of the College of Natural Resources, we view FII’s goal to generate an even higher-quality trained workforce as a major win for Idaho.”

Dustin Miller, director of the Idaho Department of Lands, which manages a million acres of Idaho’s endowment timberlands, said U of I’s frontline forest research has guided Idaho’s sustainable forest practices for more than a century.

“I’m excited about the launch of the new Forest Innovations Institute — and it couldn’t come at a better time,” Miller said. “As demand for wood and wood products continues to grow, advancements in forestry research and technology are essential to maintaining a sustainable supply of wood and fiber for mills in Idaho and across the country.”

Partnering with the Forest Innovations Institute ensures foresters have access to the latest research and technology.

“That helps ensure Idaho’s state forest lands are managed sustainably to produce the timber resources society depends on while generating income for our endowment beneficiaries,” Miller said.

To fulfill its mission, FII will draw expertise from several existing U of I research units, including the Center for Forest Nursery and Seedling Research, the Forest Products Lab, the IFIRE Combustion Lab, the Inland Empire Tree Improvement Cooperative, the Intermountain Forestry Cooperative, the Mica Creek Experimental Watershed, the Policy Analysis Group, U of I Drone Lab, U of I’s Experimental Forests and the Forest Affiliate Network. These units bring expertise and infrastructure that will enhance FII’s ability to conduct high-impact, transdisciplinary research.

“With increasing pressures from wildfires, pests, climate change and economic shifts, our forests face unprecedented challenges,” Becker said. “The Forest Innovations Institute represents a bold response. By integrating new technologies, industry collaboration and state-of-the-art research, we aim to support healthy, productive forests.”

FII is now accepting project proposals, industry collaboration inquiries and applications for student involvement. For more information, visit University of Idaho’s website or contact the institute’s leadership.

Media contact

Dennis Becker
Dean and professor of natural resource policy
University of Idaho
208-885-8981
drbecker@uidaho.edu