Celebrating Natural Resources Alumni Magazine Winter 2021-22

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CNR and stakeholders come together to invest in state-of-the-art infrastructure and equipment n 2022, the College of Natural Resources is turning a new page as we build upon our strong history of partnerships for research and internships. We are intentionally leveraging those partnerships to create joint faculty and research positions, purchase equipment for our outdoor classrooms and to support access for every capable student to attend the University of Idaho. By expanding the umbrella of what it means to give, we are developing student communities, programs and infrastructure, and bolstering the expertise of faculty as they catalyze future leaders of natural resources.

PITKIN FOREST NURSERY BREAKING GROUND ON GREENHOUSES By partnering with the Idaho Legislature, the Nursery is breaking ground on two state-of-the-art greenhouses. The college’s Experimental Forest (UIEF) pre-purchased $250,000 of seedlings — enough to finance five years of seedling production — to incentivize the Idaho Legislature to invest $700,000. Private donors then leveraged an additional $325,000 to upgrade associated equipment.

Every CNR partnership prioritizes the student’s growth as an individual and professional ready to have a positive impact on the world. Our relationships prioritize access, training students for specific skills and employing cutting-edge technology to build the workforce for tomorrow.

The new greenhouses will provide flexible growing space to meet the seedling production needs of the UIEF, as well as create new capacity for research trials including wildfire restoration. Bringing seedling production back to Idaho will benefit the Idaho Department of Lands, our partners in this agreement.

“Whether we’re partnering with local agencies, the governor’s office, donors or industry, joint visions are what drive how and why we invest, and what we seek in return,” said Dean Dennis Becker.

Improved growing environments will bolster our education mission as we train students in the most recent technology and allow for large-scale operational seedling research and production.

We’re one of the only nurseries in the nation that can do large scale operational research trials.

“We’re one of few nurseries in the nation that can do large scale operational research trials.” said Andrew Nelson, Nursery Director, Associate Professor and Tom A. Alberg and Judith Beck Endowed Chair of Native Plant Regeneration. “The new greenhouses will transfigure technology that is directly applicable to private nurseries. Testing and preparing seedlings for drought acclimation, for example,

ANDREW NELSON, NURSERY DIRECTOR, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR AND TOM A. ALBERG AND JUDITH BECK ENDOWED CHAIR OF NATIVE PLANT REGENERATION.

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DEVELOPING LEVERAGING

WINTER 2021 - 22


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