Southern Research Station Headquarters - Asheville, NC
Main Logo of Southern Research Station, Stating: Southern Research Station - Asheville, NC, with a saying of 'Science you can use!'
[Images] Five photos of different landscape

Congressional Corner

Southwide Initiatives

Emerging Issues in the South

For an in-depth look at State-by-State summaries & forest facts:





The Southern Research Station is part of the Nation's largest forestry research organization -- USDA Forest Service Research and Development -- the leading organization for research on natural resource management and sustainability in the United States. Headquartered in Asheville, North Carolina, the Southern Research Station serves 13 Southern States and beyond. Its staff of over 130 scientists is organized into Research Work Units with science technicians and other support personnel, who work at various locations throughout the region: Federal laboratories, universities, and experimental forests.

Since the beginning of the 20th Century, the Southern Research Station's researchers have excelled in studies on temperate and tropical forests, forest resources, and forest products and activities. These studies provide a wealth of long-term data sets and conclusions on the dynamics of tree plantations and natural stands, watershed management, and wildlife habitats. Guided by a Strategic Framework updated in 2006, our mission is to create the science and technology needed to sustain and enchance southern forest ecosystems and benefits they provide. Forest Science in the South - 2006 summarizes budget information, highlights the year's accomplishments, and list publications.



Small logo of the USDASmall logo of the Forest Service Shield



Emerging Issues in the South

Station Realignment to Science Areas
The health and competitiveness of Southern forests is being impacted by changing local and global markets, invasive species, shifting consumer demands, and declining economic viability of the private forest landowner. There are ways to both promote the conservation ethic, manage forests for a multitude of resources (traditional and nontraditional), and provide economic gains to the landowner.

The Southern Research Station has a long and productive history in the restoration and recovery of forested landscapes in the South. Recently, we have realigned our 28 research work units (RWUs) into 15 RWUs grouped under five science areas, which will clearly define our core research strengths.



The New Organization

Realignment Logo Threats to Forest Health
Threats to Forest Health will provide the knowledge and tools required to prevent, eradicate, and mitigate the impacts of forest health threats. Contact: Bruce Jewell, Assistant Station Director, (828) 257-4307, bjewell@fs.fed.us.

Restoration and Management
Forest Ecosystem Restoration and Management will provide the knowledge and tools required to manage and restore the multiple benefits provided by forests. Contact: Nancy Herbert, Assistant Station Director, (828) 257-4306, nherbert@fs.fed.us.

Forest Values
Forest Values, Uses, and Policies will provide the knowledge and tools required to manage impacts and optimize benefits of human-forest interactions. Contact: John Kelly, Assistant Station Director, (828) 257-4309, jkelly@fs.fed.us.

Forest Watershed Science
Forest Watershed Science will provide the knowledge and tools required to manage the full range of forest watershed resources in a dynamic and complex landscape. Contact: Greg Ruark, Assistant Station Director and Director of the National Agroforestry Center, (256) 372-4540, gruark@fs.fed.us.

Forest Inventory and Monitoring
Natural Resources Inventory and Monitoring will provide the knowledge and tools required to quantify, monitor, and predict the condition of natural resources. Contact: Bill Burkman, Program Manager, (865) 862-2073, bburkman@fs.fed.us.

More information for the Station Realignment is on the web at: http://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/realignment/index.htm





Back to: Emerging Issues in the South

PDF Format Available for Download: Station Realignment to Science Areas Download - 304 KB




Maintaining healthy Southern forests requires an understanding of changing market conditions, rapidly evolving forest threats, and the socio-economic aspects associated with landowner decision making. Incentives and new markets for ecosystem services and biomass are encouraged to support keeping forest lands in working forests, thus preventing fragmentation and loss of habitat. The capacity of States to deliver training, science, and assistance to landowners is essential for success.






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