Andrew Nelson

Andrew Nelson, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Forestry at the University of Idaho's College of Natural Resources, where he serves as Director of the Franklin H. Pitkin Forest Nursery and holds the Tom A. Alberg and Judith Beck Endowed Chair of Native Plant Regeneration. His research focuses on improving forest regeneration through studies of native plant propagation, nursery management, and silvicultural practices.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Forest Resources/Silviculture from University of Maine (2013)
• M.S. in Forest Resources/Silviculture from University of Maine (2010)
• B.S. in Conservation & Resource Studies with Minor in Forestry from UC Berkeley (2005)

Dr. Nelson leads multiple research projects funded by USDA, NSF, and state agencies, including investigations into root growth potential, drought conditioning effects on seedling architecture, post-planting competition control, and genetic × environment interactions in western larch productivity. His work spans laboratory experiments, field trials, and regional-scale assessments of reforestation success.

His scholarly contributions focus on practical solutions for forest regeneration challenges, with publications demonstrating innovations in seedling quality assessment, drought adaptation strategies, and microsite manipulation techniques. Recent work emphasizes climate-resilient regeneration approaches for inland Northwest forests.

Honors include the Tom A. Alberg and Judith Beck Endowed Chair. He teaches courses in Silviculture (FOR 424) and Forest Regeneration (FOR 324), integrating hands-on learning with ecological principles. As director of the Forest Regeneration Lab and Pitkin Nursery, he oversees research operations and outreach programs supporting regional reforestation efforts.