A message from Dan Brown, SEFS Director: Spring 2024

As Winter quarter draws to a close and the days get longer, I reflect with pride on our numerous successes in SEFS’ research, teaching, and engagement activities. This issue of our newsletter highlights some important research successes: in identifying and mapping stored carbon in forested wetlands, and in understanding the recovery of west-side forests after fire. 

Partnership Highlight: Washington Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit

Together with the School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, SEFS hosts the Washington Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit (WACFWRU), part of a national network of research cooperatives founded to bring federal resources to bear on state wildlife management issues. 

SEFS researchers awarded grant through NSF Convergence Accelerator Program

SEFS Professor L. Monika Moskal and researcher Meghan Halabisky were among 15 multidisciplinary teams awarded funding through the National Science Foundation (NSF) Convergence Accelerator program. Their project, Mapping the Nation’s Wetlands for Equitable Water Quality, Monitoring, Conservation, and Policy Development, is part of an NSF effort to develop innovative technologies and solutions to improve U.S. 

Employee Spotlight: Olivia Price, UW Botanic Gardens Adult Education Programs Supervisor

Get to know SEFS staff! This series provides an opportunity to find out more about SEFS staff members — what they do in their daily job and how they spend their time outside the office. 

SEFS in the News: January, 2024

Browse recent mentions of SEFS researchers in the news. Have news to share? Send your updates to sefscomm@uw.edu.

California grizzlies weren’t as giant and threatening as people once thought, Alex Mcinturf
Christina Owen, director of the University of Washington Botanic Gardens, was featured in a Seattle Times article on an exhibit at the Washington Park Arboretum [paywall]. 

Post-fire recovery is faster than expected in the forests of the western Cascades, SEFS-led study finds

New research published by the SEFS Harvey Lab looks at how forests west of the Cascade crest in Washington and northern Oregon are recovering from recent large and severe fires. The answer? 

SEFS Associate Professor featured in Seattle Times article about redwood forests in WA

SEFS Associate Professor Greg Ettl was featured in a Seattle Times article about redwood forests in the Pacific Northwest. As drier conditions, rising temperatures, and wildfire impact native tree species in the region, coast redwoods may become more common due to their decay-, fire- and disease-resistant nature. 

Washington Rare Plant Care and Conservation program highlighted on Cascade PBS Series

The Washington Rare Plant Care and Conservation program, featuring Rare Care Program Manager Wendy Gibble was highlighted in a series called Human Elements on Cascade PBS. The episode focused on the Miller Seed Vault and the impact of habitat loss, industrialization, invasive species and climate change on rare plants. 

SEFS researchers contribute to publications on smoke hazards from prescribed burns in California

SEFS Research Associate Professor Ernesto Alvarado was a co-author on two recent publications that help forest managers assess risk from prescribed burns in California’s Central Sierra range. Co-author Joe Wilkins, Assistant Professor at Howard University, was a postdoc in Alvarado’s lab during the research. 

SEFS remembers College of Forest Resources faculty member, Fiorenzo Ugolini

We are saddened to share the news that a former College of Forest Resources faculty member, Fiorenzo Ugolini, passed away on November 22, 2023, at age 94. Fiorenzo is fondly remembered by students, colleagues, and friends for his passion, positive influence, and his extraordinary work on soil development in temperate, boreal, and arctic soils.