Advancing forest ecosystem management and forest product innovations (NH, ME, VT)​

Graphic for National Science Foundation Engines Development Award

Through a strategic regional partnership, the Coalition of Northern Forest Innovation and Research (CONFIR) will leverage knowledge in precision forest management, traditional wood products, and bio-based materials to complement past successes and infrastructure investments with emerging forest-based sustainable products and technologies.

Program Objectives​

  • Accelerate advances in forest resource management, wood products manufacturing and emerging forest-based technologies; ​
  • Implement best practices for smart utilization of Northern Forest resources for economic, ecological and climate benefit; and ​
  • Improve workforce skills and participation in forest-based careers, including expanded participation by historically underrepresented populations.​

Anticipated Outcomes

Outcomes will include a strategic roadmap that provides: ​

  • Identification of the existing and needed research & development processes, infrastructure, and practices for building a thriving regional innovation engine; ​
  • Facilitated collaboration to create a commercialization and innovation strategy based on Northern Forest assets and capabilities; ​
  • Development of networks, resources, and pathways for integration of commercialization and innovation framing of research, education, and workforce development; and ​
  • Preparation for a competitive Type-2 Engine proposal in two years.

Broader Impacts

Use-Inspired Research & Development: CONFIR will leverage the region’s R&D capacities and infrastructure to create new, disruptive, and needed 21st century forest-based, sustainable products, and technologies.

Translation of Innovations to Practice: CONFIR will translate forestry research and innovation throughout the Northern Forest region into market-aligned products and services.

Workforce Development to Grow and Sustain Regional Innovation: CONFIR’s work will lead to increased workforce skills and participation in forest-based careers, including expanded participation by historically underrepresented populations.​

Partners

  • Northern Forest Center – Vice President Joe Short – CONFIR Project Director​
  • University of Maine – Forest Industry Business Development Manager Shane O’Neill and Dr. Aaron Weiskittel, Director of the Center of Advanced Forestry Systems and the Center for Research on Sustainable Forests​
  • University of New Hampshire – Chair of the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment Dr. Mark Ducey
  • University of New Hampshire, Cooperative Extension – State Forest Industry Specialist Andrew Fast​
  • University of Vermont – Director of the Forestry Program and School Research Forests Dr. Anthony D’Amato
  • Northern Vermont University – Director of Do North Coworking and Forest Products Accelerator Jared Reynolds​
  • Maine Development Foundation – Senior Program Director FOR/Maine Brianna Bowman and Senior Program Director for Education and Workforce Erica Watson​
  • Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund – Christine McGowan

This program is funded by the National Science Foundation’s Engines Development Award (award number 2303493). View the full portfolio of NSF Engines Development projects.