Research

Mission

The Daniel B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources research program employes both basic and applied research, to discover new and improved methods for the restoration and utilization of the earth’s renewable natural resources. Investigations are conducted in five primary areas: Fisheries and aquaculture, forestry, natural resources recreation and tourism, water and soil resources, and wildlife.

Structure

Like the natural ecosystems we steward, the School’s research programs are fully integrated with the teaching and outreach elements of the school’s mission, such that each supports the others and we are able to make efficient use of our funding. The majority of the Warnell’s 54 faculty have joint appointments with research and teaching, or teaching and outreach; and all faculty, regradless of their appointment, are expected to actively support all three elements of the school’s mission. We have 25.58 EFT assigned to research.

Teaching and research laboratories are located in a complex of four buildings on the south campus of the University of Georgia. Research support is also provided by facilities located at nearby Whitehall Forest including experimental fish ponds, white-tailed deer pens and wildlife laboratory, fisheries laboratories, the Aquatic Biotechnology and Environmental Lab, a tree nursery, modern greenhouses, a wood utilization and plant sciences building, the Pete Phillips Laboratory for Nutrient Cycling Science, and Flinchum’s Phoenix.

In addition, Warnell manages more than 24,000 acres of forest land located throughout the state. The different properties represent many of the unique habitats found in Georgia and support Warnell’s programs in research as well as teaching and outreach.

Function

Warnell researchers work cooperatively with private corporations and foundations, as well as public agencies (federal, state and local) and other universities to maximize the scientific and practical value of their work. Faculty members involve their graduate and undergraduate students in their research, ensuring that their research efforts have an important educational component, while providing a trained workforce for their research activities. Field investigations are an integral part of many of the research programs in the School.

Since Warnell’s beginning in 1906, faculty have been conducting research in all aspects of forestry and forest management, and over time have added activities in water and soils resources, wildlife ecology and management, fisheries and aquaculture, and natural resources recreation and tourism. Research activities include not only laboratory experiments, field trials, and surveys; but also modeling, publication, and presentations at scientific conferences and workshops. These research activities are supported by state appropriated funding and extramural funds awarded to the faculty from federal agencies, private corporations and foundations, state agencies, international sources, and local governments.

2008 at a Glance

Number of Research/Outreach Grants Awarded 96
Total Grant Funding Awarded $5,022,437
Number of Continuing Education / Short Courses 196
Number of Refereed Books, Chapters or Journal Publications 168
Number of Other Publications 164
Number of Presentations Made 536

For additional highlights and feature stories on Outreach and Research activities of the faculty, staff, and students at Warnell, please see the School's Annual Reports.