Nov. 7, 2018<\/p>\n
Peter Ful<\/strong>\u00e9\u2019s<\/strong> career at Northern Arizona University has spanned three decades, moving from master\u2019s student to doctoral student to researcher to professor while keeping much of his work focused on the interactions of fire and climate with forests.<\/p>\n He recently added another line to his resume, becoming the inaugural Charles O. and Mary Minor Endowed Professor in the School of Forestry.<\/p>\n This position, which College of the Environment, Forestry, and Natural Services Dean Paul Jagodzinski<\/strong> championed, will allow Ful\u00e9 to continue with his teaching and research but provide additional resources for research, traveling to conferences and supporting students through research opportunities. James Allen<\/strong>, the executive director of the School of Forestry, said the CEFNS leadership wanted this professorship to support a teacher-scholar whose priorities lie in teaching while also making important scholarly contributions through research.<\/p>\n Six current professors applied for the position, and a committee evaluated all of the proposals and made a recommendation to Jagodzinski.<\/p>\n \u201cIt wasn\u2019t an easy decision, but Pete is a truly outstanding professor and he put together a great proposal,\u201d Allen said. \u201cKey parts of his proposal fit very well with directions we really want to take in our school, including increased outreach to Native American communities and additional international research. Pete already has a great record of accomplishments in both of these areas, and I am highly confident that he will make effective use of the resources that come with this professorship to further these goals even more.<\/p>\n \u201cIn my experience, when Pete says he\u2019s going to do something, he does it and does it well.\u201d<\/p>\n This is the first endowed professorship in the School of Forestry, but Allen said these positions exist at most major forestry schools throughout the country and serve to highlight the strength of the research and faculty in those schools. The generosity of NAU\u2019s donors, many of whom are themselves School of Forestry alumni, made the endowment possible, so Jagodzinski began the process.<\/p>\n Ful\u00e9\u2019s research includes using tree rings to reconstruct past conditions, using computer models to estimate how forests will change under future climate and fire patterns and tracking the effects of ecological restoration treatments after forest fires. All of these projects help forest managers and communities make better decisions about how to conserve forests and the products and services that come from forests, like clean water, recreation and cultural values.<\/p>\n Although these questions have great significance in Flagstaff, they go far beyond the community as well, as Ful\u00e9 has found traveling the world to do research.<\/p>\n \u201cCountries all around the world face similar threats to forests. The severe wildfires in the southwestern U.S. have much in common with severe fires in the Mediterranean, Mexico, Argentina and Russia,\u201d he said. \u201cBy working and learning together, we gain deeper knowledge and mutual benefits.\u201d<\/p>\n Such collaboration is true closer to home as well. Ful\u00e9 cited recent research from graduate student Tyler Mockta<\/strong>, who linked tree-ring analysis and forest modeling to assess the sustainability of teepee poles of Douglas fir that members of the Mescalero Apache Tribe need for the traditional coming-of-age ceremony for girls.<\/p>\n [block-quote align=”center”]In my experience, when Pete says he\u2019s going to do something, he does it and does it well.[\/block-quote]<\/p>\n Ful\u00e9 has worked extensively in the Southwest, Mexico and other countries, and with tribal nations including the Hualapai Tribe, Navajo Nation, Mescalero Apache Tribe and White Mountain Apache Tribe. He also has taught in Chile, France and Brazil.<\/p>\n \u201cForests are at the leading edge of scientific challenges today with respect to climate change, population growth and habitat conservation,\u201d he said. \u201cThese issues are tough, but they make for exciting and meaningful work that motivates us.\u201d<\/p>\n Charles O. Minor<\/strong> was the first faculty member and founding dean of the NAU School of Forestry. He was at NAU from 1958 to 1983. Minor and his wife, Mary<\/strong>, made significant contributions to the school through teaching, fieldwork and behind-the-scenes activities.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Who are the Minors?<\/strong><\/h3>\n