Extension Associate Sr
B09 Bruckner Hall
(607) 592-3640
Email: pjs23@cornell.edu
My overall professional goal is to integrate extension and research in support of productive and healthy forest ecosystems in New York and the Northeast. The goal of my research is to develop and assess forest vegetation management strategies that facilitate sustainable, productive, and diverse forests. This goal is consistent with my Extension responsibility for addressing issues that affect private forestland management. Private forestlands represent 85% of the state's forests and cover approximately 45% of NY. Research and extension, together with goals of the Arnot Forest, focus on issues of: forest management impacts on landscape quality, forest regeneration and its limitations imposed through high-grading, and healthy and productive sugarbushes.
Identify, characterize and refine techniques that improve the production of high value forest products, conservation management strategies, and controls of interfering vegetation.
My extension program is called "ForestConnect" and focuses on 3 priority issues. (1) Increase the awareness of forest owners to the value provided by CCE for education on natural resources issues; (2) Improve the skills of forest owners for safe and productive attainment of their ownership objectives; and (3) Expand the capacity of CUCE educators to meet the needs of forest owners in their county or region.
Develop in students the ability to understand the complexity of processes and decisions necessary to sustainably manage private woodlands in New York. Build skills and competency in forest measurements, landowner interviewing, maple syrup production, forest practices, and writing a forest stewardship plan.
