Capitalizing on the strengths of existing science capacity in the Northeast and Midwest to attain a more integrated cohesive landscape scale research program.

Our Research

The Northern Research Station extends across 20 states, comprising both the most densely populated and most heavily forested portion of the US. We envision a region where trees and natural resources support a high quality of life; wildlife, fish, and plant communities thrive; clean water abounds; and people work together to sustain and restore the health of forests. To achieve this vision, the people and communities of the Northeast and Midwest need high quality scientific information. The Northern Research Station is dedicated, organized, and staffed to provide that scientific information in a form that people can use.

Science Themes

Forest Disturbance Processes

Protect people and forest landscapes from the threat of undesirable disturbances

Urban Natural Resource Stewardship

Improve the quality of life in urban areas through natural resources stewardship

Sustaining Forests

Maintain and enhance forest productivity and benefits

Providing Clean Air and Water

Increase production of clean water and air for a growing population

Natural Resources Inventory, Monitoring, and Assessment

Establish baselines, track change, quantify threats, demonstrate effectiveness, prioritize research efforts, and understand our natural resources, and the policies, practices, and processes that impact them

2011 Research Highlights

View the Northern Research Station's Highlights

The Northern Research Station pursues science to improve people’s lives and the health of the nation’s natural resources, and our approach can truly be described as all lands and all people.

Research Review

Deer can be too many, too few, or just enough for healthy forests --
Read about Northern Research Station research in the Spring 2012 edition of Research Review

My Neighborhood Forest Photo Contest

Celebrating America’s Urban and Community Forests.

Go to Challenge.gov to enter. The Grand Prize is $200 in outdoor gear courtesy of the National Forest Foundation Contest ends July 22, 2012