Vision

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In the years ahead, FER will expand its conservation and restoration activities both geographically and from a biodiversity standpoint. We will use our wetlands and pine forest expertise as a base to expand into different kinds of forests and other ecosystems around the world.

We also intend to take the lead in developing new ecosystem restoration techniques and state-of-the-art tools by working with our peers from geographic information systems, environmental impact assessment and many other areas within the College of Natural Resources. We expect to continue to be a driving force behind developing effective policies and regulations that combine a strong ethical foundation with an understanding of both ecological sciences and human behavior.

From a conservation standpoint, we hope to become a preeminent provider of research-based information for the management of green infrastructures by public landowners. We will continue working on green infrastructure issues in suburbanizing landscapes, but will also move toward developing and promoting an even broader green infrastructure perspective — one in we serve as a primary information and discovery source for the management of the planet's life support systems worldwide. Reaching this goal will require us to leverage and integrate our expertise in virtually everything we do, from forest management to conservation and restoration.

Our restoration activities will continue to focus on the natural restoration of ecosystems. We will also focus on expanding our restoration expertise into even more geographic areas, using our growing international presence to further broaden our knowledge of tropical ecosystems and other threatened areas.

Promo Area

NC State has an active program to protect dwindling populations of hemlock species that are being attacked by an exotic insect in the Appalachian Mountains, including the Carolina hemlocks shown above growing along a stream at Hanging Rock State Park. Seeds from hemlock trees are being moved to other countries and planted in conservation areas where the insect is not present.

Key Contacts

Dr. Ted Shear
Conservation & Restoration
Phone: 919-515-7794
ted_shear@ncsu.edu

Dr. George Hess
Conservation & Restoration
Phone: 919-515-7437
george_hess@ncsu.edu

Dr. Bill Dvorak
Director of Camcore
Phone: 919-515-6426
dvorak@unity.ncsu.edu