Forestry and Natural Resources Program
The Extension Forestry and Natural Resources Program in central Oregon provides objective, research-based information and educational opportunities for woodland owners, industrial forest owners, logging operators and natural resource professionals, and the public through classes, seminars, field trips, and demonstrations.
I offer programs related to forest regeneration, vegetation management, thinning and stand management, silviculture systems, timber harvesting methodology and technology, urban and community forestry and tree care, and insect and disease management. A great deal of my work recently has been in the arena of wildland fire and fuel reduction strategies.
We develop and provide educational materials through many topic-oriented publications, videos and websites. In addition, I conduct on-the-ground field research in the dry forests of central and eastern Oregon. Current studies include investigating old-growth ponderosa pine management, response of second-growth ponderossa pine (80 years old) forests to various silvicultural practices, reforestation and vegetation control following wildfire and salvaging logging, and several other studies.
The main goal of my program is to improve the stewardship of forest and watershed resources to meet societal and landowner objectives, now and in the future, and to develop new knowledge through applied research to help land managers better manage all forest resources.
Stephen A. Fitzgerald
Silviculture & Wildland Fire Education Specialist
Oregon State University Extension Service
- The Science Basis for Changing Forest Structure to Modify Wildfire Behavior and Severity
- Improving Fire Resiliency of Pacific Northwest Forests (article by Stephen Fitzgerald)
For further information, please contact
Stephen Fitzgerald, Associate Professor
Silviculture & Wildland Fire Education Specialist
Deschutes County Extension Service
Oregon State University
3893 SW Airport Way
Redmond OR 97756
541-548-6088, ext. 7955
