Berea College

In his seminal work <em>A Sand County Almanac</em>, <a href="https://www.aldoleopold.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aldo Leopold</a> drew a distinction between agronomic and ecological foresters. We stand among those that are ecological and consider ecological restoration the bedrock of every other management goal.

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Chestnut blight decimated the American chestnut population in the first half of the 20th century. In collaboration with the Kentucky chapter of <a href="https://tacf.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The American Chestnut Foundation</a>, staff and students manage two American chestnut orchards which contribute to national efforts to restore the species.

American Chestnut Restoration

We use controlled burns to help manage a remnant shortleaf pine stand. The absence of fire in the eastern forest has contributed to <a href="https://shortleafpine.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the loss of millions of acres of shortleaf pine-dominated forests</a>. Students have the opportunity to become certified wildland firefighters and participate in controlled burns.

Shortleaf Pine Restoration

While white oak often dominates our forest's canopy, other species dominate the midstory, signaling a fundamental change in forest composition. We are involved in cutting edge research and management to promote <a href="https://www.whiteoakinitiative.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the sustainability of white oak forests</a>.

Ecological Restoration