N ti l A i ti f U i it F tN ti l A i ti f U i it F tNational Association of University Forest National Association of University Forest Resources ProgramsResources Programs

1. Overview

2. History

3 O i ti3. Organization

4. Activities and Accomplishments p

5. Future Directions

OverviewOverview

What is NAUFRP?

An association that represents 67 of the U.S.A.’s most prestigious 

universities that have programs devoted to forests and natural 

resourcesresources.

Mission 

To promote long‐term investments in university‐based education, 

research, and engagement programs to advance the health, productivity 

and sustainability of our nation’s forest resources for the well being of all 

who depend on their many benefits for quality of life.

NAUFRP InstitutionsNAUFRP Institutions

Guam

Puerto Rico

Virgin IslandsGuam

HistoryHistoryMcIntire‐Stennis legislation passed in US Congress in 1962:

• Provided funding for forestry research and graduate education

• Formula funds based on: (1) amount of forest land, (2) amount of timber

harvested, and (3) amount of “matching” research expenditures, in each

state.

Two parallel organizations:

• ASCUFRO—MS research funding

• COFSE—Educational issues

Merged in 1981 to form NAPFSC, National Association of Professional 

Forestry Schools and Colleges.

Renamed in 2005 to National Association of University Forest Resources 

ProgramsPrograms

OrganizationOrganization

Annual budget of approximately US$110,000

Generated from membership dues and special grants:

• Dues structure is 2-tiered: base level and pro-rated to MS funds

received.

• Dues are voluntary and somewhat inconsistently contributed

Used for government relations, administrative staff, association 

activities, and membership on the Association of Public and Land , p

Grant Universities (APLU) Budget Advocacy Committee (BAC)

Organizational StructureOrganizational Structure

National OfficersPresident

Regional ChairsNorth Central

Past President

President Elect

Secretary/Treasurer

Northeastern

Southern

WesternSecretary/Treasurer

National Committee ChairsPolicy 

Western

Executive CommitteeNational Officers

Education

Research

Extension

National Committee Chairs

Regional Chairs

At‐large Appointees

Diversity

International

g pp

Activities and AccomplishmentsActivities and AccomplishmentsActivities and AccomplishmentsActivities and Accomplishments

PolicyPolicy

Education

Research

Extension and EngagementExtension and Engagement

Diversity

Activities and Accomplishments: Activities and Accomplishments: Policy

Promoting Federal Appropriations: M‐S, RREA, AFRIMembership on APLU Board of Agriculture Assembly (Cornerstone)

30‐40 Hill visits each year

Deans’ Congressional Receptions: ≈ 30 from 25 states in 2007, 2008

Regular visits with Office of Management and BudgetRegular visits with Office of Management and Budget

Coordination with partners for consistent requests

Advocating for NAUFRP’s National AgendaInfluencing national legislation: Farm Bill, climate, carbon, bioenergy, forest health

Signing as NAUFRP on advocacy letters to Congress and Executive Branch: approximately 10 per year

Developing position statements, e.g., one pagers

Partnering to form alliances, e.g., Forests in the                                    g , g ,Farm Bill Coalition, Forest Climate Working Group

Activities and Accomplishments: Activities and Accomplishments: Education

“Keathley Report” 2003‐2004Conference and resulting report funded with grant from CSREES

Identified critical areas of need in graduate education

Resulted in USDA National Needs Fellowships

Annual Discussions with and Input to SAFAnnual Discussions with and Input to SAF Needs and changes in accreditation, e.g., Terrestrial Ecosystem Mgmt

Trends in undergraduate education

Recruiting and careers, e.g., Choose Forestry Brochure, Go Forestry Video

Recruiting Surveys and Tools g yNCSU website www.forestrycareers.org

Southern recruiting survey and analysis: what works and what doesn’tdoesn t

Plans for national recruiting survey and analysis

Activities and Accomplishments: Activities and Accomplishments: EducationNational and Regional Enrollment Data for 30 Years (Sharik)

ForestryForestry

NR & Env

Activities and Accomplishments: Activities and Accomplishments: EducationCurrent Undergraduate Education Task Force• Developing a comprehensive strategic plan for enhancing UG 

education in natural resources

• Draft plan submitted to NAUFRP Executive Committee

• Full report and action steps due by Spring, 2011 covering best practices and innovative ideas in:practices and innovative ideas in:

Curriculum

S i li tiSpecializations

Engaged learning

Outcomes Assessment

Distance Education

New technologies

Recruitment

Activities and Accomplishments: Activities and Accomplishments: Research

1.  National Summit (2006): Forest Research for the 21st Century

100 people from universities, government, industry and NGOs

Id tifi d ti l i iti fIdentified national priorities for research and graduate education

Resulted in National Strategic Plan for Research

Recommended increase in M‐S funding from $25 M to $65 M infunding from $25 M to $65 M in 2015 (currently at $29 M)

Influenced NIFA and affected dRFAs in 2009 and 2010

Recent Accomplishments: Recent Accomplishments: Research

Promoting Forest Resources in USDA Competitive Grants (AFRI)

Historically low running at 2 to 3%Historically low, running at 2 to 3%

NAUFRP mounted a multi‐faceted campaign to promote “forest and 

natural resources” research:natural resources” research:

1. Visits each year to National Program Leaders and AFRI 

administratorsadministrators

2. Searchable database of faculty willing to serve on review panels:

Di f l b i li l3. Direct encouragement to faculty to submit quality proposals

4. Success stories of awarded grants posted on NAUFRP website 

f di i liacross a range of disciplines

Activities and Accomplishments: Activities and Accomplishments: Research

3 Advocating for Increase in McIntire Stennis Funding3. Advocating for Increase in McIntire‐Stennis FundingOriginal M‐S legislation authorizes funding at 50% the amount appropriated for Federal forestry research conducted directly by USDA; yet, M‐S funding h l d b hi dhas lagged way behind

NAUFRP is mounting a major campaign to celebrate the 50th year anniversary of M‐S, asking for $50 million per year (at $29 M, 2010)

Bullard, Brinker, Brown, Blanche, and Thompson, 2010 (JoF, in press)

Activities and Accomplishments: Activities and Accomplishments: Extension/Engagement/ g g

1. RREA Funding ($4 million)NAUFRP Hill i it t d t hi h i ti l lNAUFRP Hill visits to advocate higher appropriation level

Joint Congressional reception with ECOP

2. RREA Focus Fund ProjectsGrants for targeted projects in extension/engagement

NAUFRP Extension Chair works with NIFA to promote these grantsgrants

3. Family Forests Education AwardAnnual award jointly given with National Woodlands Owners A i tiAssociation

Honors a university‐based extension or outreach program

Activities and Accomplishments: Activities and Accomplishments: Diversity

1. National Center for Workforce DiversityNAUFRP initiated with SAF a joint plan for this national center

Now seeking more partners and aiming for implementation

2. Diversity SummitsNAUFRP sponsored two diversity workshops with many partners: 

Edmonton, 2005 & Orlando, 2009

Both aimed to identify action steps for implementing the NationalBoth aimed to identify action steps for implementing the National 

Center for Workforce Diversity

3. 1890 Institutions2008 Farm Bill made 1890s eligible for M‐S funding

NAUFRP reaching out to engage in our organization

Activities and Accomplishments: Activities and Accomplishments: Regional CommitteesCommittees

1. Regional Meetings h d l ffOnce or twice each year to discuss regional efforts

2. Regional SurveysStarted in South, 1994, West, 2004, standardized, 2009. Annually , , , , , ytracks: enrollments, grad stipends, faculty FTEs and salariesOther two regions considering similar surveys

3. Regional Engagement with Partners3. Regional Engagement with PartnersSouthern Leadership TourWestern joint task force with Western Forestry Leadership Coalition

4 R i l R iti Eff t4. Regional Recruiting EffortsUT/UK led a major effort to bring recruiters together at a 2008 workshop in Knoxville.  Actions: regional survey, clearinghouse website, analyses of effective methodswebsite, analyses of effective methodsNAUFRP plans to expand this to more majors and  beyond the region, plus hold a follow‐up workshop

Future DirectionsFuture Directions

Policy: Setting a national agenda and promoting investment in university‐based lifelong learning, discovery and engagement

Education: Identifying opportunities in recruitment, curriculum development, learning styles, distance learning, outcomes assessment, etc.,

Research: Promoting M‐S funding and increased competitive funding through AFRI for discovery in forest resources

E t i d f d dExtension: Advocating for RREA and partnering to reward university extension/engagement programs

Diversity: Collaborating to increase workforce diversity

Communication: Actively engaging our partners to enhance the health, productivity and sustainability of our nation’s forest resources for the well being of allresources for the well being of all                           Americans