What We Do
Science
Utah’s forests and woodlands have undergone dramatic change over the past century. The removal of fire, along with livestock grazing and logging by early Euro-American settlers, resulted in more uniform expanses of forests and woodlands. In some areas, woody fuels have built up over decades due to the absence of fire, mortality from drought or insects, and new vegetation growth. Many of our forests and woodlands are now at risk of widespread, damaging fire and other mortality factors. We develop and directly deliver science relevant to improving the health of Utah’s forests and woodlands and transfer scientific concepts into practical action for Utah’s forest managers.
Collaboration
We work with land managers, community members, and university partners to identify knowledge gaps, test and monitor ecosystem management strategies, and communicate about effective practices. Partnerships and collaborations represent the core pillar of how we work: our connections allow us to apply science to local problems and bring local expertise to a broader audience.
Training & Outreach
We serve as a hub in Utah for practical information on the science and management of forests and woodlands in the state. We provide information to diverse audiences, including landowners and managers, policymakers, and community members. Having full-time staff members dedicated to improving forest and woodland health in Utah allows us to spend time on the ground with land managers, learning from partners and bringing information where it is needed. We also offer training opportunities for the next generation of natural resources managers.
Why We Matter
UFRI is unique in Utah for its focus on forest and woodland health and management. Housed at Utah State University, we serve as a bridge between science and management, bringing practitioner expertise and questions to a broader community and translating science into practical terms that are useful for land managers. We are a trusted source of objective, evidence-based information, and we complement the work of local, state, and federal agencies and organizations in the region. Given the management needs of many of our forests and woodlands, UFRI works to ensure that good ideas are documented and shared, that effective and efficient decisions are based on high-quality information, and that policymakers and the public are aware both of successes and the continued need for active management on our landscapes.
