Engaged Undergraduate Research Grants
Future Forests
Collaborating on a citizen-science effort to examine the health of sugar maples in New Hampshire forests
The sugar maple is an icon of the Northeast United States, where forest-related industries such as maple syrup, logging and tourism drive rural economies. Any significant decline in this species would have serious repercussions. And the sugar maple may be in trouble.
Faculty and researchers at New Hampshire’s Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest have detected severe sugar maple regeneration failure. In this project, three undergraduates are collaborating with Hubbard Brook researchers and volunteer citizen scientists from the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests to determine the extent and potential consequences of this regeneration failure throughout other areas of the state. The students interview and exchange ideas with foresters and syrup producers, conduct field research and help guide citizen-science volunteers.
Topics: Economic Vitality and Entrepreneurship; Energy, Environment and Sustainability; Food and Agriculture
The Team
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Natalie Cleavitt, Department of Natural Resources
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
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Timothy Fahey, Department of Natural Resources
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
- Community partner: Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests
- Community partner: Hubbard Brook Research Foundation