In 2024, funding from the Center for the Future of Forests and Society was used to provide matching support for a set of University Transdisciplinary Seed Grants, and to support a dedicated research initiative responding to the Lookout Fire of 2023. For more information about any of the projects listed below, contact the Lead PI for additional details.

Lookout Fire Support Grant 

“Andrews Forest LTER Fire Research Coordinator Andrews Fire” (Matt Betts, Lead PI)
Fund a post-doctoral position to (1) assist in the post-fire recovery of research infrastructure and to (2) capitalize on many existing funding opportunities potentially available to advance ecological and social understanding about post-fire systems. Pre-fire data offer the opportunity to examine pressing societal questions such as: (1) Does old-growth forest, which is cooler in summer months, buffer forest systems from fire effects? (2) Are there silvicultural methods that can be used to accelerate ecosystem recovery from fire? (3) What is the role of Indigenous knowledge in assisting such restoration efforts? (4) How do ecological communities reassemble following fire? (5) How does the fire affect human attitudes and values about science, fire, governance and climate change? What are the responses from various human communities to the fire? (6) What is the role of previous disturbances (snow down, root rot, centuries older fire, clearcuts) in affecting fire behavior and post-fire forest structure? 

2024 Seed Grants

"Illuminating the path to sustainable park lighting: Developing a transdisciplinary research proposal on nightlight’s social-ecological impacts” (Xiangyou/Sharon Shen, Lead PI)
This project will fuel systematic studies of human responses to and ecological impacts of Anthropogenic light at night (ALAN) spectrum, intensity, distribution, and timing in parks and human-use forest settings. The vision is supported by the construction of ALANCamp, an advanced outdoor lighting research facility co-designed by lighting engineers, social scientists, ecologists, and astronomers. ALANCamp will generate new knowledge spanning visitor preferences, ecological impacts, and optimal lighting practices. These insights will directly inform evidence-based guidelines for sustainable outdoor lighting management in parks, forests, and other natural areas.

“Forest Industry 5.0: Building the Future of Wood Production and Manufacturing Industries” (Woodam Chung, Lead PI)
To address critical challenges such as skilled labor shortages and global competitiveness in the US forestry and wood products sectors, we propose assembling a transdisciplinary team. This team will focus on developing an innovative wood production framework that leverages automation, robotics, and AI technologies while prioritizing sustainability, human-centricity, and industry resilience. Seed funding will enable this team to share expertise, identify research gaps, craft a robust research agenda, and ultimately secure large-scale external funding to advance this vital work.

“ForestNav: Pioneering Autonomous Forestry Robotics for Sustainable Ecosystem Management” (Heesung Woo, Lead PI)
This proposal outlines the formation of a multidisciplinary team to develop innovative autonomous forestry robotics, integrating expertise from robotics, AI, environmental science, and forestry. This initiative aims to address critical challenges in forestry through advanced technological solutions.

“Transdisciplinary Research on Forest-based Climate Solutions” (Reem Hajjar, Lead PI)
This project will conduct transdisciplinary research on Forest-based climate solutions (FbCS) to support the development of initiatives that are grounded in credible science and enhance community well-being and resilience.

“Transdisciplinary integration of research and management for steelhead conservation in the Lower John Day Basin” (Skuyler Herzog, COF PI)
Freshwater resources to support biodiversity and agriculture are jeopardized by a combination of climate change, land use changes, and altered flow regimes. These global issues manifest in our study system, Thirtymile Creek and Butte Creek, two tributaries of the John Day River in Eastern Oregon. Both creeks historically flowed year-round, but now each has intermittent areas that go dry during summer months. Thirtymile Creek is the most productive tributary in the basin for steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), which are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Steelhead recovery is a top priority for the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs (CTWS), government agencies, and many other stakeholders. Steelhead recovery has catalyzed major regional restoration efforts, but myriad disciplinary and transdisciplinary questions remain, especially considering threats from climate change. We propose to enhance collaboration among diverse stakeholder groups to provide scientific and social solutions to freshwater stress in a model system for the Western US.

“Towards circular bioeconomy using wood residues for 3D printing in interior design and construction 1. Summary of the area of inquiry” (Eric Hansen, Lead PI)
As the forest industry restructures to adapt to 21st century realities, eliminating wood residues is increasingly challenging… This project aims to combine waste wood such as sawdust with clay and design printable materials to be used in additive manufacturing products. 3D printing is a highly customizable manufacturing process, which makes it an ideal choice for sustainable product development. … Societal outcomes of this research include waste reduction, decreasing carbon footprint, mass customization for a human-centered product development, and eco-friendly architectural solutions.

“A Team Building Proposal to Facilitate Creation of the Human-Wildlife Coexistence Research Network for Africa” (Ian Munanura, Lead PI)
This grant will specifically facilitate the creation of the proposed network in East Africa, one of the subregional hubs to be developed across the continent in the new few years. Furthermore, the network intends to empower stakeholders by facilitating multi-stakeholder dialogues and workshops focused on pressing human-wildlife conflict issues, enhancing collaboration and community engagement.