This episode of ‘In the Woods’ podcast from Oregon State University’s Forestry and Natural Resources Program features Dr. Seri Robinson, a professor in the College of Forestry’s Wood Science and Engineering program. Dr. Robinson discusses her unique career path that merges art and science, particularly her expertise in the study of spalting. Spalting is a process where fungi react to environmental stressors, producing vivid pigments in the wood. Robinson delves into the science behind this phenomenon, the historical applications in art, and the potential innovative uses in modern technology like optoelectronics. She also addresses common myths about the safety of spalted wood in kitchen applications, the toxicity of wood dust, and the importance of selecting appropriate wood species for food-related uses. The episode concludes with Dr. Robinson sharing resources for further learning and her favorite tool and tree species.

“This podcast is all about murder.” – Dr. Seri Robinson

In this episode of ‘In the Woods’ by Oregon State University’s Extension Service, host Jake Barker discusses assisted migration and assisted gene flow with Jess Shamek, a field botanist and researcher focused on the adaptive capacity of Oregon White Oak. The conversation covers the definitions and importance of these practices in the context of climate change, best management practices, and the interconnectedness of forestry, farming, and ecology. They also discuss several tools and frameworks, such as the RAD framework, ClimateNA, and the Seed-lot Selection Tool, for planning and decision-making in forest management. Throughout the episode, there is an emphasis on understanding the risks, increasing genetic and species diversity, and learning from past introductions of non- native plants.

”I work with a lot of land managers who ask questions like ‘Should I be doing this? Should we be doing assisted migration, and should we be doing assisted gene flow?’” – Dr. Jess Shamek

At that point, people said, “I don’t know. Now you’re really asking a lot.” We were one of the few voices in the room that said, “These people are out there. The forest managers, the mills behind the logs are out there. We can make this happen. We can make it happen locally, and we’ll even give you one more. Not only can we have it come from these forests, but we can trace it back to the forest.”

“In my research, we found moderate evidence that recreationists at the McDonald Research Forest and Tillamook State Forest responded more positively to images of managed forests when they received ecological messaging than no messaging or economic-related messaging.” – Dani Berger

In this episode of the ‘In the Woods’ podcast by Oregon State University’s Forestry and Natural Resources Extension Program, host Jacob Putney interviews Thomas Stokely, a forest ecologist with The Nature Conservancy in Central Oregon. They discuss the significance of wildlife habitat connectivity, the impacts of habitat fragmentation and loss, the role of roads and recreation, and the importance of integrating fire management to promote ecosystem health. Thomas explains concepts like landscape ecology, connectivity, and fragmentation, emphasizing the need for effective management strategies to balance human activities with conservation efforts. They explore specific projects like the Oregon Connectivity Assessment Mapping Project and strategies for mitigating human impact on wildlife through community involvement and science-based forest management practices.

“ Allowing not only at the population level for these species to adapt, but an ecosystem level for all the nutrients and energy and matter to flow across the landscape to help provide that ecosystem function and services to humans. – Thomas Stokely, Forest Ecologist

In this episode of ‘In the Woods’ podcast, hosted by Lauren Grand of Oregon State University’s Extension Service, we delve into the application of permaculture principles in forestry. Joined by Andrew Millison, a seasoned permaculture designer and educator, we uncover how permaculture-oriented thinking—ranging from road placements to water harvesting and species diversity—can transform forest management for long-term health, productivity, and resilience. Learn about practical examples from Oregon and global insights, including innovative projects in India and Sub-Saharan Africa. Whether you are an experienced forester or a small woodland owner, this episode is packed with actionable insights and advanced strategies to enhance ecological sustainability and economic benefits in forestry.

“A well-designed and well-placed road can actually harvest water, infiltrate it into the subsoils, build the water table, and create a stable access way for managing a forest.” Andrew  Millison, Senior Instructor II in the Department of Horticulture

In this episode of the ‘In the Woods’ podcast from Oregon State University’s Forestry and Natural Resources Extension Program, host Scott Leavengood discusses forest biotechnology with Dr. Steve Strauss. Dr. Strauss, a professor of forest biotechnology at OSU, shares insights from his 40-year career, including the genetic engineering of trees, the use of Agrobacterium for DNA modification, and the challenges and opportunities in the field. They also address public misconceptions about genetic engineering and its potential to address climate change. The episode concludes with a lightning round of questions about Dr. Strauss’s favorite tree species and the impact of CRISPR technology.

“ BioTech is a powerful method, but it’s not a replacement for conventional breeding…. It’s some combination that will be most useful, putting those together.” – Dr. Steven Strauss, Distinguished Professor of Forest Biotechnology, OSU School of Forestry

Extension Forester Lauren Grand hosts Dr. Jim Rivers. They discuss the marbled murrelet, a reclusive seabird that nests in old-growth forests far inland. Dr. Rivers explains the bird’s unique nesting behavior, the challenges of studying it, and recent advancements in research methods. They also touch on the bird’s dependence on both healthy marine and forest ecosystems, the difficulty of tracking their movements, and ongoing conservation efforts. The episode highlights the intersection of forest ecology, wildlife conservation, and innovative research techniques.

“The marbled murrelet is one of the Pacific Northwest’s most mysterious seabirds… it nests in mature and old-growth forests and spends much of its life at sea.” – Dr. Jim rivers, Associate Professor of Wildlife Ecology

In this episode of ‘In the Woods’ from Oregon State University’s Extension Service, host Lauren Grand discusses redwoods and giant sequoias with forestry experts Dan Stark, Norma Kline, Alicia Christiansen, and Stephen Fitzgerald. The episode dives into the growing interest in planting these iconic trees in Oregon, despite their native ranges being primarily in California. The conversation touches on the environmental factors influencing tree growth, potential benefits and challenges, concerns about pests and diseases, and the possible impacts on local ecosystems. The experts also provide insights into the management practices, regulatory considerations, and economic potential of these species in Oregon. Additionally, the episode highlights a new publication available through OSU Extension that offers detailed guidance on growing these trees in the region.

“I think one of the first times I experienced the redwoods, we went backpacking in Redwood Creek… and I just was in awe of the size and height of these trees. It was incredible. And you’re sitting around the creek and you just see this grove of really huge trees, just, you feel so small.“-Stephen Fitzgerald“

– Stephen Fitzgerald, Professor Emeritus