Donald L. Grebner

Dr. Donald L. Grebner serves as the Department Head and holds the George L. Switzer Professorship in Forestry at Mississippi State University's College of Forest Resources. His research focuses on forest economics, international forestry, and biomass utilization, with emphasis on carbon sequestration and forest protection. He has advised four graduate students and contributed to over 50 peer-reviewed publications.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Forestry and Forest Products (Virginia Tech)
• M.A. in Economics (Virginia Tech)
• M.FOR. in Forestry (Yale University)
• B.S. in Forestry (University of Maine)

Research Interests: Dr. Grebner examines landowner decision-making regarding ecosystem services, bioenergy production from forest residues, and climate change mitigation strategies. His work bridges economic analysis with ecological outcomes, addressing both local Mississippi forestry challenges and broader international forestry issues.

Publications Trends: Recent work emphasizes landowner perspectives on conservation programs (e.g., Southern US studies), bioenergy feasibility, and invasive species management. Over 15 years, his research has shifted from pure biomass potential assessments (2010s) to socio-economic barriers in carbon sequestration adoption (2020s).

• Awards:
  • George L. Switzer Professorship Award
  • Phi Kappa Phi Service Award (2016)
  • MSU Superior Faculty Research Award

Advising & Grants: Supervised four graduate students focusing on bioenergy and forest economics. Collaborates with federal agencies (e.g., USDA) and industry partners on forestry policy and land management programs.

Labs/Teams: Active in the Forest and Wildlife Research Center, leading interdisciplinary projects on sustainable forestry practices.