Jeff Stringer, a longtime University of Kentucky professor who is well-known by members of Kentucky forest industries, has been named chair of the UK Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, subject to board of trustees’ approval.

“We are pleased to have Dr. Stringer leading Kentucky’s flagship forestry department,” said Nancy Cox, dean of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. “In his role of extension professor of hardwood silviculture and forest operations, he has helped to improve the health and economic viability of Kentucky’s woodlands. We welcome his leadership for a thriving department that is vital to the long-term sustainability of Kentucky’s natural resources.”

A native of central Indiana who later moved to Kentucky, Stringer graduated from Glasgow High School and went on to study in Western Kentucky University’s pre-forestry program for his freshman and sophomore years. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in forestry from UK, then accepted a position as a research specialist with the department. While he occupied that position, he began working on his doctorate in plant physiology/biochemistry/molecular biology, graduating in 1993.

With his doctorate in hand, he joined the faculty in a forestry extension position, and eventually took over as director of forestry extension in the college, overseeing a staff of extension associates. Stringer is a fellow of the Society of American Foresters and is nationally known for his work in forest certification, timber harvesting education and sustainable forest management. He has directed the Kentucky Master Logger program since 1994 and has provided advanced training for forestry and natural resource professionals and loggers in Kentucky and the eastern United States for the past 25 years.

For now, he’s looking ahead to working on some of the challenges he said the department is facing.

“Our forests represent an extremely valuable resource for Kentuckians. We rely upon our woodlands to generate $14 billion for our economy through the forest industry as well as to provide a host of significant ecosystem and social benefits that are critical for our well-being. Of course, maintaining these values hinges upon sustainable forest management and our wise use of forest resources,” he said. “We’ll be looking to the future to build our capacity as a department in the development of recurring funds and improved infrastructure, both of which will improve our ability to provide solutions and opportunities.”