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October 2, 2023

New Report Examines Mass. Forests and Solar Siting, Offers Path to Net-Zero Goals

a hawk stands atop a roof mounted with solar panels with a forest in the background

A new report released today by scientists in the Thompson Lab at Harvard Forest and Mass Audubon offers the first-ever comprehensive economic and geospatial analysis of whether Massachusetts can meet its solar goals while protecting its most valuable natural and working lands. 

The report proposes a shift from large-scale, ground-mount solar to solar projects on rooftops, parking

September 26, 2023

Botanizing with Ben Goulet-Scott: Combat plant awareness disparity

Image shows a magnolia flower backlit by the sun

As the days shorten and the air cools, it can be easy to forget about the ongoing cycles of our photosynthetic companions. But for Harvard Forest's Higher Education & Laboratory Coordinator Ben Goulet-Scott, "botanizing" is a year-round endeavor.

Many people think of plants more as a backdrop to life, rather than as a central part of

September 20, 2023

Harvard Forest Welcomes New Cohort of Bullard Fellows

Four Bullard Fellows sit in the Fisher Museum to discuss their work

Harvard Forest is pleased to welcome six new Bullard Fellows into the community this fall. Researchers will investigate topics including local adaptations of red oak, native grass restoration, and forest responses in conflict-affected areas of Sudan. A full description of our Fellows' great work can be found by visiting our Current Bullard Fellowship Recipients page. 

Established in 1962, the

August 24, 2023

October 19+20: Chris Field to Present Bullard Lectures

Photo shows Chris Field at a podium with a computer.

The Harvard Forest and the Harvard University Center for the Environment were delighted to co-present the second Charles Bullard Lectures featuring Dr. Chris Field, the Perry L. McCarty Director of the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment and the Joan Lane Professor for Interdisciplinary Environmental Studies at Stanford University.

 

Learn about Chris Fields' talk at Harvard Forest in the

August 22, 2023

Research in Action: Thompson Lab & Massachusetts' Carbon Accounting

The Thompson Lab at Harvard Forest is working with the state to implement their new Forest as Climate Solutions initiative. As part of this work, Harvard Forest’s Director of Research Jonathan Thompson serves on a committee with the state Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) to shape the development of new forest management practices

August 16, 2023

Matthes Lab Awarded $1M to Study Methane Dynamics

Photo shows 2023 intern Fernando Migueleña measuring methane in soil at Harvard Forest.

Harvard Forest senior scientist Dr. Jackie Matthes was recently awarded a $1 million grant from the US Department of Energy's Environmental System Science Program entitled "Cross-Scale Methane Dynamics at Terrestrial-Aquatic Interfaces in Temperate Forests." In this project, the Matthes Lab at Harvard Forest will work with Dr. Missy Holbrook and Dr. Charles Harvey from

August 15, 2023

30th Annual Symposium Highlights Student Research Accomplishments

Photo shows Sam Jurado giving a research presentation at the 2023 Symposium.

Marking the culmination of nearly three months with Harvard Forest's Summer Research Program in Ecology, 21 undergraduate students recently presented on their research at Harvard Forest's 30th Annual Student Symposium. Student researchers presented on topics such as carbon storage and modeling, the impacts of introduced species on culturally important plants, soil warming and its effects on belowground

August 1, 2023

Applications now open: Bullard Fellowships in Forest Research

Photo shows researchers conducting fieldwork during a Bullard Fellowhsip

Harvard Forest is now accepting applications to its Charles Bullard Fellowship in Forest Research program for 2024-2025. Awarded to a limited number of individuals representing a variety of disciplines and approaches to the study of forested ecosystems, these full-time residential fellowships allow individuals to foster their scientific and professional growth and to contribute to research on forests at Harvard.

July 17, 2023

Bullard Spotlight: Forest Fires in the Eastern U.S. with Mike Stambaugh

Photo shows Stambaugh working with a group of fire managers and scientists from throughout the northeastern U.S. on the Green Mountain National Forest in Vermont

This summer, heavy smoke from forest fires in Canada has reminded many of us of the potential for fires, the history of fire management, and importance of fires to ecosystems processes– even in the eastern part of the country. For Michael Stambaugh, the narrative of changing fire regimes has been of interest for decades, where his research and documentation of

June 29, 2023

Diversifying Partnerships in the Face of Forest Threats: New Research on EAB Management

Photo shows larval galleries of the emerald ash borer (by Dave Orwig)

By Emily Johnson

As climate change challenges the resilience of our forests, the presence of nonindigenous insects and pathogens will continue to threaten the existence of certain trees and the lifeways they support. Thanks in part to a USDA NIFA Critical Research and Extension Program grant, Harvard Forest researcher Dave Orwig partnered with experts throughout the northeast, including

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