Louisiana Tech University students and the state's forestry industry will benefit from the recent planting of a sure-fire seed.
Representatives from the university's College of Applied Natural Sciences (CANS) and the USDA-FS-SRS Southern Research Station share a common commitment to forest sector-based research and the forest products at the university's doorstep. Cooperation between the two organizations regarding the innovation center.
At a recent conference in Asheville, North Carolina, the companies announced that by combining their capabilities, USDA-FS-SRS and Louisiana Tech University will work together to help managers leverage new research and technology to improve forest products and markets. signed a letter agreeing that we can help support a proactive approach to
“This partnership will advance a wide range of forest science research including, but not limited to, improving science-based support for wood chemistry research, wood product utilization science, forest products engineering, and wood product markets at regional and national scales. ” says the prospectus. To read. “Our focus on innovation and scientific and technological advances in the forestry sector will benefit our students, industry and stakeholder community.”
Of particular importance to Polytechnic students, once the project is complete, U.S. Forest Service researchers will reside in the Polytechnic Institute's Future Forest Products Innovation Center.
“The U.S. Forest Service’s Southern Research Station is committed to maintaining the health and productivity of our nation’s forests. They conduct research related to harvesting timber from responsibly managed forests. is an ideal partner for our Forest Products Innovation Center project,” said Dr. Gary Kennedy, CANS Dean and Ray and Dorothy Young Family Endowed Professor of Agricultural Sciences. . . “The new center at Tech will house U.S. Forest Service researchers to conduct research in areas such as engineered wood products, sustainable harvesting techniques, carbon capture and storage, biochar and biomass management, and other topics. will be promoted.”
Those attending the signing included representatives of two of FPIC's biggest supporters: Scott Poole, president and CEO of RoyOMartin, and Richie LeBlanc, president of Hunt Forest Products. was.
The new building will provide space for the forestry industry as well as research collaborations with other state and national industry partners. Academic programs in forestry, agriculture, biology, engineering, science, and other fields all contribute to the learning, research, and service that FPIC produces.
“This collaboration to advance forest science research will benefit not only our faculty and students but also the forest products industry in areas such as wood product innovation, fire protection, invasive species management, and other factors affecting forests. It also provides opportunities for industry and private landowners,” Kennedy said. “We look forward to developing and expanding our partnership with the U.S. Forest Service as the project progresses.”
