The unified voice for forestry education nationwide
NAUFRP brings together more than 80 of America's leading forestry and natural resources programs to advance education, research, and extension. Through strategic advocacy and collaboration, we ensure universities have the resources to train professionals capable of managing 745 million acres of American forests for generations to come.
40+
Years of experience
80+
University members
NAUFRP advances the health, productivity, and sustainability of America’s forests by supporting university-based natural resources education, research, extension, and international programs. We ensure that our member institutions have the resources, connections, and influence necessary to prepare professionals capable of addressing complex forest challenges.
Since 1982, NAUFRP has transformed how universities approach forestry education, evolving from informal collaboration among deans and program leads into the authoritative advocate for university-based natural resources programs nationwide.
Federal Advocacy
We maintain direct relationships with Congress and federal agencies to secure funding for McIntire-Stennis, RREA, and other critical programs that support university forestry research and education.
Research excellence
Our 80 member institutions conduct groundbreaking research addressing wildfire, climate change, and forest health challenges that shape the future of sustainable forest management.
Collaborative Network
Through regional meetings and annual conferences, we facilitate knowledge sharing and best practices that strengthen forestry programs from coast to coast.
Professional Development
We support programs that educate over 5,000 forestry students annually, ensuring America has the professionals needed to manage 745 million acres of forestland.
NAUFRP Member Institutions
NAUFRP’s regional structure reflects the diverse forest ecosystems and management challenges across America. Each region maintains its own leadership and facilitates collaboration among member institutions facing similar ecological and economic conditions.
Southern Region: Home to the nation’s most productive timber lands and diverse hardwood forests, the Southern region encompasses 17 member institutions from Virginia to Texas. These universities address unique challenges including rapid urbanization, intensive pine plantation management, and hurricane recovery. The South produces more timber than any other region while managing critical ecosystems from Appalachian hardwoods to coastal wetlands.
- Southern Region Chair: Michael Blazer, University of Arkansas at Monticello
North Central Region: Stretching from the Great Lakes to the Great Plains, the North Central region’s 9 member institutions focus on northern hardwood forests, oak savannas, and prairie transitions. Research priorities include sustainable hardwood management, urban forestry in major metropolitan areas, and climate adaptation strategies for species at their southern range limits.
- North Central Region Chair: Zhao Ma, Perdue University
Northeastern Region: The Northeastern region includes 10 prestigious programs from Maine to Maryland. These institutions tackle challenges of forest fragmentation, invasive species management, and balancing recreation demands with conservation in the nation’s most densely populated region. The Northeast’s forests provide critical ecosystem services to millions while supporting traditional forest products industries.
- Northeastern Region Chair: Anthony “Tony” D’Amato, University of Vermont
Western Region Spanning the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Coast, the Western region’s 13 member institutions manage the nation’s most extensive public forests. Fire ecology, drought adaptation, and wilderness management dominate research agendas. From Arizona’s ponderosa pines to Alaska’s boreal forests, Western programs train professionals to manage landscapes where federal ownership often exceeds 50% of forestland.
- Western Region Chair: Charles Goebel, University of Idaho
Governance and Structure
NAUFRP institutional members need a structure that moves fast and speaks with authority. NAUFRP’s governance balances inclusive representation with effective decision-making.
The NAUFPR General Assembly gives every member institution a voice while the Executive Committee handles day-to-day leadership, regional chairs coordinate work across distinct forest ecosystems, and standing committees drive policy, research, and program development.
This structure positions NAUFRP to work seamlessly with APLU, NIFA, and the U.S. Forest Service while responding to state and local forestry needs. It’s built for coordination, not bureaucracy.
The association is organized into four regions (Southern, North Central, Northeastern, and Western) reflecting the climatic and geographic diversity of the resource and the varying patterns of forest land ownership. The regional boundaries match those established by the USDA in its programs.
The structure of NAUFRP is intended to facilitate coordination of forestry issues with the units of the Association of Public and Land-Grant University (APLU), and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), and the U.S. Forest Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
NAUFRP also works with state governments, forest industry, trade associations, conservation and environmental organizations and forest landowner groups to ensure the responsiveness of research and extension programs to national, state and local needs.
Regional Structure for National Coordination
NAUFRP divides into four regions reflecting the climatic and geographic diversity of American forests and varying patterns of forest land ownership. Regional boundaries match those established by USDA programs, facilitating coordination with federal agencies.
Each region maintains leadership and conducts meetings addressing challenges specific to their forest ecosystems and economic conditions. Regional chairs serve on the Executive Committee, ensuring regional perspectives inform national decision-making.
Standing Committees
Seven standing committees drive NAUFRP’s work across education, research, extension, and policy. Each committee operates with autonomy to address specialized needs while coordinating with the Executive Committee to align efforts nationally. Committee chairs serve on the Executive Committee, ensuring their work directly informs organizational priorities.
Communications Committee
Manages NAUFRP’s external communications including website content, newsletters, and member engagement. The committee ensures consistent messaging about NAUFRP’s mission and coordinates outreach to stakeholders, policymakers, and the broader forestry community.
Chair: Todd Petty, University of Georgia
Access and Engagement Committee
The committee promotes broad access and engagement for the advancement of forestry and natural resource programs and universities in the U.S. We collaborate with partners to broaden opportunities, access, and engagement of communities, to increase student enrollment and retention, and to enhance workforce development.
Chair: Zhu Hua Ning, Southern University
Committee Members: Linda Nagel (University of Minnesota), Tara L. Bal (Michigan Tech), Justin Kunkle (Michigan State University)
Education Committee
Strengthens forestry education from K-12 through doctoral programs. The committee published the influential Keathley Report identifying graduate education needs, conducts enrollment surveys to track student recruitment trends, and develops strategies to enhance undergraduate forestry curricula across member institutions.
Chair: Andrew Storer, Michigan Technological University
Extension Committee
Connects university research to the 10 million family forest owners controlling 39% of America’s forestland. The committee advocates for Renewable Resources Extension Act funding and administers the annual Family Forests Education Award in partnership with the National Woodland Owners Association, recognizing outstanding extension programs.
Chair: Bill Hubbard, University of Maryland
International Committee
Builds connections with international forestry education and research organizations including the Association of University Forestry Schools of Canada, International Forestry Students Association, and International Union of Forest Research Organizations. The committee identifies opportunities for graduate student exchanges and collaborative research addressing global forest challenges.
Chair: Don Hodges, University of Tennessee
Committee Members: Robert Burns (West Virginia University), Don Grebner (Mississippi State University), Tom DeLuca (Oregon State University)
Policy Committee
Identifies emerging policy issues affecting forestry education and research, develops NAUFRP position statements, and coordinates advocacy efforts. The committee works directly with Randy Nuckolls, NAUFRP’s legislative liaison, to translate member concerns into concrete policy recommendations for Congress and federal agencies.
Chair: Myron Floyd, North Carolina State University
Committee Members: Dennis Becker (University of Idaho), Linda Nagel (University of Minnesota), Randy Nuckolls (NAUFRP Washington Counsel)
Research Committee
Cultivates relationships with NIFA and NSF program leaders to ensure university forestry research priorities receive federal attention and funding. The committee advocates for robust McIntire-Stennis appropriations, tracks emerging research needs in areas like climate adaptation and wildfire management, and coordinates member institutions’ responses to major research initiatives.
Chair: Rich Kobe, Michigan State University
Committee Members: Myron Floyd (NC State University), David Auti (Northern Arizona State University)