Robert S. Seymour, Ph.D

Academic and Career Accomplishments

Dr. Robert S. Seymour, Ph.D., the Curtis Hutchins Professor of Forest Resources (Quantitative Silviculture) at the University of Maine, has distinguished himself both nationally and internationally in forest ecosystem science. He was the recipient of a prestigious Pew Fellowship in Conservation and the Environment (1995-97). Working with a colleague from the University’s Department of Conservation Biology, the fellowship project developed and promoted methods for maintaining biodiversity in forest ecosystems. Their research produced specific strategies to encourage landowners, especially private forest owners, to make their land management practices more consistent with conserving biodiversity. By participating in regional policy initiatives on sustainable forest management, including the Maine Forest Biodiversity Project (to which he was appointed by former Maine Governor Angus King), and serving on a sustainable forestry round table, Bob has been able to apply his research to support sound conservation management. These projects provide a forum for members of the region’s forest industry, environmental community, academics, and state agencies to help formulate voluntary and regulatory policies for implementing sustainable forest practices. Bob’s research interests include quantitative silviculture of northeastern forests, production ecology of conifers (leaf area, stemwood growth efficiency), and ecologically based silviculture systems. Bob has published numerous books and book chapters, journal articles and research bulletins. His service to both academic and working forestry has garnered Bob awards and honors. He has served on the editorial staffs of several forestry journals, and received the University of Maine’s College of Natural Sciences, Forestry and Agriculture Outstanding Public Service Award in 2003. Bob presented the keynote address at the 2003 Great Lakes Silviculture Summit in Michigan and has chaired sessions of the Society of American Foresters, and other professional groups. He was awarded the University of Maine’s prestigious Webber Teaching Award for outstanding teaching in 2004-05, and was the only speaker from the eastern U.S. to address the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) in Portland, OR. He was also asked to speak at the organization’s twenty-second World Congress in Brisbane, Australia, and spoke to the New England Chapter of the Society of American Foresters in Quebec.

Nominate a Ravenna Graduate