The College of Forestry provides science leadership for 10 research cooperatives that conduct research and apply the results to solve problems, develop new products, support long-term field studies and develop decision support tools. These research cooperatives provide valuable learning experiences for students from the undergraduate to the doctoral level. The cooperatives allow students to conduct meaningful research to help advance the overall goals of each cooperative. More than 100 unique private industry members and eightgovernment agencies make up the membership of the researchcooperatives. A College of Forestry faculty member leads eachcooperative, and members work together to develop a researchprogram, pool dues to support the cooperative’s operating budgetand provide significant in-kind support to leverage dues payments.

CENTER FOR INTENSIVE PLANTED-FOREST SILVICULTURE (CIPS)

The CIPS is directed by Doug Maguire, Giustina Professor of Forest Management. It was established to facilitate collaborative research between existing cooperatives, institutions and scientists in a manner that addresses long-term and interactive effects of all possible treatments constituting a silvicultural regime. CIPS has providedpartial funding for 10 graduate students since 2010. These students are involved in research as well as the purchase of fieldand lab equipment, travel to international meetings and buildingcomputing labs with high-end equipment. They’ve gone on to workin extension, academia and industry. Undergraduate student workers gain access to detailed lab and field work.

CENTER FOR WOOD-BASED COMPOSITIES (WBC)

The WBC is directed by Fred Kamke, JELD-WEN Chair of Wood-Based Composites Science. It is an NSF Industry/University Cooperative Research Center (I/UCRC), focused on research and education at the Universities of British Columbia and Maine, Oregon State, and Virginia Tech. Many students gain their first exposure to wood as a raw material in manufacturing thanks to WBC and go onto become wood experts in the companies they work for. Seventeen students have received support at Oregon State and 20 graduate students have participated in WBC-related research since 2007.

ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE OF TREATEDWOOD RESEARCH COOPERATIVE/OSU AQUATIC COOPERATIVE (EPTW)

The EPTW research cooperative is directed by Eric Hansen, Wood Science and Engineering department head, with co-managers Matthew Konkler and Jed E. Capellazzi, faculty research assistants. It conducts research on the potential impacts of treated wood use inaquatic environments and develops methods for reducing migration. Members include chemical manufacturers, producers of treated woodproducts and trade associations. The Aquatic co-op invites severalinternational visiting scholars to Oregon State each year from theundergraduate to the professional level to support research andexperience industry collaboration. Many of these students pursue acareer in forest products or a related field.

GENETIC RESEARCH ON ENGINEERING AND ADVANCED TRANSFORMATION OF TREES (GREAT TREES)

The GREAT TREES research cooperative is directed by Steve Strauss, Distinguished Professor of Forest Biotechnology and Leopold Fellow. The goal of GREAT TREES is to conduct research, transfer technology andeducate others about the beneficial uses of genetically engineered treesin plantations. GREAT TREES trains students from the undergraduate topostdoctoral level. Five students have participated in research in the past five years. Once finished studying at Oregon State, the students continuetheir academic careers or land important industry jobs.

HARDWOOD SILVICULTURE COOPERATIVE (HSC)

The HSC is directed by Glenn Ahrens, assistant professor. It is aresearch and technology transfer program focused on the ecology, reforestation and stand management of Northwest hardwood species, especially red alder. The HSC has the oldest and most extensive redalder growth database in existence.

NORTHWEST TREE IMPROVEMENT COOPERATIVE (NWTIC)

The NWTIC is directed by Keith Jayawickrama, professional faculty. It oversees cooperative breeding of Douglas-fir, western hemlock andother species of the coastal forests of the Pacific Northwest. Guidance for technical aspects of implementing these tree improvement programs is provided. Test data is stored, analyzed and interpreted to provide expertise and training in tree breeding.

PACIFIC NORTHWEST TREE IMPROVEMENT RESEARCH COOPERATIVE (PNWTIRC)

The PNWTIRC is directed by Glenn Howe, associate professor. Thepurpose of the PNWTIRC is to conduct genetics and breedingr esearch on Pacific Northwest tree species with the goal of providing priority information that will enhance the efficiency of tree improvement efforts. The PNWTIRC supports and trains graduates and undergraduate students in forest genetics and tree breeding research, which contributes to the cooperative. Sixteen students have participated since the inception of the PNWTIRC. They often continue to study forest genetics throughout their careers.

SWISS NEEDLE CAST COOPERATIVE (SNCC)

The SNCC is directed by Dave Shaw, associate professor and extension specialist. The focus of SNCC is to conduct research on Swiss needle cast of Douglas-fir for forest landowners in Western Oregon and Washington. SNCC trains students to collaborate with agencies, companies andnonprofits. The SNCC has fully funded 17 graduate students who participate in SNCC research.

UTILITY POLE RESEARCH COOPERATIVE (UPRC)

The UPRC is directed by Eric Hansen, Wood Science and Engineering department head with co-managers Matthew Konkler and Jed E.Capellazzi, faculty research assistants. The UPRC conducts researchaimed at prolonging the service life and improving the performance of wood poles, cross-arms, and other in-service wood used by electricutilities and the wood products industry. Members include utilities, chemical companies, wood treaters and inspection agencies. Research topics include developing treatments for controlling internal decay, assessing methods for pole inspection, improving specifications for initial treatment and offering short courses to educate utility users. More than 100 undergraduates, 50 graduate students, and 20-25 visiting scientists have participated in and benefited from UPRC research. These students typically advance to careers with chemical companies, wood companies, and some have started their own related businesses.

VEGETATION MANAGEMENT RESEARCHCOOPERATIVE (WMRC)

The VMRC is directed by Carlos Gonzalez-Benecke , assistant professor. The VMRC is a research program focusing on plantcompetition, vegetation control and early growth of forest stands. The VMRC educates undergraduate and graduate students by participatingin the Mentored Employment Program, which matches studentswith researchers within the College of Forestry. Undergraduatestudent workers assist in the field and with lab activities. Cutting edge research in reforestation and vegetation management is being conducted by the VMRC, allowing funds and research topics for gradstudents. Many of these students go on to work for public agencies.