Forest Planning

The University: Experience and Qualifications

Since its founding in 1855 as the first land grant university in the U.S., Michigan State University has adhered to its original mission: to “strive to discover practical uses for theoretical knowledge, and to speed the diffusion of information to residents of the state, the nation, and the world.” In operational terms, MSU has concentrated on building its strengths in educating and training succeeding generations of researchers both from the U.S. and the world at large. It has sought to establish collaborative links with people and institutions worldwide, broadening its research, academic and service outreach.

MSU is recognized as a center of excellence in international development. The academic and professional community at Michigan State is highly diverse and responsive and augments the University’s international goals with a broad array of globally relevant skills and expertise. People from every county in Michigan, every state in the U.S. and 134 countries around the world contribute to the University’s success. Annually, more than 3500 international students and scholars enroll in MSU’s graduate and undergraduate and certificate programs. MSU plays host to hundreds of international visitors every year who come to view campus research facilities, participate in campus life as visiting scholars and specialists, or to meet with MSU colleagues. Hundreds of MSU faculty members are engaged in critical outreach programs in many countries throughout the world, teaching, conducting research or providing technical assistance.

For more than 50 years, Michigan State University has been a leader among U.S. universities in international development programs. MSU has had a broad and deepening involvement in conducting technical assistance and research in developing countries, assisting the development of new institutions, and providing training for development tasks. MSU, through its Departments and Institutes and Centers, has also managed projects throughout the world, providing short- and long-term in-country technical assistance, degree and non-degree training programs, and extensive backstopping support from the main campus. The Office of the Dean of International Studies and Programs has overall responsibility for the university’s international initiatives. While historically a majority of MSU’s international development and technical assistance projects have been conducted by faculty in various departments of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, international expertise is increasingly incorporated into all aspects of university life marking MSU as a global university.

The Office of Contract and Grant Administration (CGA) holds fiscal audit authority and responsibility for the MSU contractual portfolio with both domestic and international external donors. In fiscal 2006-2007 awards for sponsored projects reached $308 million. To ensure that MSU is aware of, and can comply with the various agency regulations, CGA is organized by funding agency. CGA has a separate group dedicated to administration of international projects.

Institutional Capacity and Experience in Forestry Conservation Policy: Forest Land Use Planning and Analysis and Biodiversity and Conservation Policy

The Department of Forestry has a faculty comprised of 24 members, many with international experience. Several faculty members focus on different aspects of forest land use and conservation policy. Forest ecologists work on many applied aspects of forest-based biodiversity; they develop science-based guidelines for managing natural forests and plantations. Several social science faculty members work on applied problems ranging from modeling ecosystems to public participation which supports sustainable forest management.

Recent experience in modeling sustainable forest management includes quantitative models developed to schedule the harvest of timber of various species from a 400,000 ha national forest in northern Michigan. Modeling approaches include optimization models (linear programming) and simulation models. The process involved developing timber production functions and the costs and returns expected from different management strategies. Protection of biodiversity conservation areas was part of the overall management strategy for the area. Spatial (GIS) data were used to stratify the forest into management areas with different management goals, from protection to intensive management. For example, high value ecological areas may be identified to protect old growth forests. At the other extreme, fire-prone areas may be identified for conversion from forest to barrens in order to provide more safety from threatening wildfires. After management areas are identified, then appropriate silvicultural strategies were applied. Various policies associated with sustainable forest policy were incorporated in the modeling efforts. This type of modeling has been extended by faculty members to include spatial aspects of forest planning, including concerns for adjacency of harvests and green up periods. As a result landscape-level metrics associated with biodiversity can be assessed relative to different forest plan alternatives. Specifically, habitat management for the endangered Kirtland’s warbler is part of an ongoing research project that encompasses various aspects of biodiversity, economics and long-term effects on soil productivity.

Another aspect of forest planning involves estimation of economic impacts of various natural resource policies and plans. Input-output models are used to assess the effects on sales, employment and income of forest plan alternatives. Most forest-based plans and policies affect multiple economic sectors and input-output models help provide linkages between policy and program outputs and sectors of the economy.

Faculty members have also developed social and economic assessments associated with natural resource policies at state and regional levels. These assessments provide a context for natural resource planning efforts and policy reviews. The assessments cover demographic trends, relationships with communities, economic vitality and dependence, natural resource production and economic contributions, outdoor recreation and other forest uses and values.

Course offerings reflect the interests and knowledge of faculty members. For example, courses in Natural Resource Policy and Parks and Protected Ares Policy and Management are taught. Dr. Dennis Propst is the co-author of the recently published book Wildland Recreation Policy. In addition, a new course on comparative natural resource policy examining natural resource policies in Canada and the U.S. is under development.

Finally, several faculty members have worked with various agencies, organizations and publics to develop new approaches for soliciting and incorporating citizen input into natural resource planning and management. This has involved survey work and focus groups across a wide spectrum of interests.