Christopher Nowak

Christopher Nowak is a Professor and 12-Month Chair of Forest Resources Management (FNRM) at SUNY-ESF's Department of Sustainable Resources Management. He teaches courses like Adirondack Field Studies and Forest Ecology and Silviculture. His research focuses on vegetation management, invasive species control, and sustainable practices in forest ecosystems. Notably, he collaborates with organizations like the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and the National Park Service on projects addressing invasive plant control, climate change impacts, and vegetation management on utility rights-of-way.

Education: Nowak holds a Ph.D., M.S., and B.S. in Forest Resources Management from SUNY-ESF, along with an A.A.S. in Forest Technology. His academic background spans 40+ years in forestry and environmental science.

Research Interests: He specializes in silviculture, invasive exotic plant control (e.g., oriental bittersweet), and climate change effects on tree regeneration. His work emphasizes practical solutions for sustainable land management, including cost-effective invasive species mitigation and integrated vegetation management (IVM) strategies.

Publications: Over 20 peer-reviewed articles and technical reports since 2000, focusing on topics like herbicide efficacy, powerline corridor ecology, and cultural landscape preservation at historical sites. His recent work explores climate-driven shifts in tree communities.

Advising & Grants: Nowak has advised over 25 graduate students, focusing on natural resources management and forest ecology. He secures grants from EPRI, NYSDOT, and the National Park Service for projects like invasive species control and biomass plantation studies.

Labs/Teams: Collaborates with EPRI on utility corridor vegetation management and EPRI-funded studies on climate impacts. Engages with the National Park Service on historical site restoration and vegetation surveys.