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 Forestry is "the profession embracing
the science, art, and practice of creating, managing, using, and conserving
forests and associated resource for human benefit in a sustainable manner to
meet desired goals, need, and values" (Dictionary of Forestry, J.
Helms, ed. 1998). These benefits gained from our forest ecosystems include values, services, or
products such as aesthetics, biodiversity, recreational
opportunities, clean water and air, soil protection, forage, fish and wildlife, medicinal
and ornamental items, wood products, and many others.
One-third of the nation's land area and 40 percent of
Idaho's land area are forested. Managers of these lands and of
their valuable resources must be properly prepared. With an increasingly restricted forest land base and an increasing demand for forest
benefits, the practice of forestry is rapidly becoming more complex. Present-day forest
management requires professionals highly trained in an interdisciplinary approach that
adapts to scientific developments and sociological and economic constraints while
sustaining healthy forest ecosystems.
The instructional goal of the Department of Forest Resources
is to provide both undergraduate and graduate students of all nationalities with a
high-quality general education and the professional knowledge of significant concepts,
multiple use principles, social factors, and technical details of forest resources
biology, measurements, management, and social science to effectively manage forest
resources.
The forest resources curriculum not only provides students
with an interdisciplinary education, but also the opportunity to emphasize areas of
individual interest, such as ecology, forest ecosystem processes, forest social sciences,
computer applications in forestry, aerial-photo interpretation (remote sensing),
geographic information systems, silviculture, forest genetics and tree improvement,
protection against insects, disease, and fire, tree nursery management, and other
specialties by selective use of elective credits or choosing a minor in an
area of interest.
The educational program leading to the professional degree of Bachelor
of Science in Forest Resources is accredited by the Society of American Foresters (SAF).
The SAF is the specialized accrediting body recognized by the Commission on Recognition of
Postsecondary Accreditation as the accrediting agency for forestry in the United States.
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