Paul Catanzaro

Paul Catanzaro serves as Professor & State Extension Forester at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Department of Environmental Conservation, and Co-Director of the Family Forest Research Center, a collaborative effort between the USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station and UMass Amherst. His work integrates research and outreach to family forest owners across Massachusetts and the Northeast, focusing on conservation-based estate planning and ecological forestry across multi-owner landscapes. As an extension faculty member, he bridges academic research with practical land management applications for the 70% of Massachusetts forests classified as family forests.

Dr. Catanzaro's research interests center on family forest management, with particular emphasis on landowner decision-making processes, conservation-based estate planning, and ecological forestry across multi-owner landscapes. His work addresses critical challenges in forest continuity, exploring how landowners can make informed decisions about the future of their land while maintaining forest cover. He investigates gender differences in land management, the application of behavioral models to conservation planning, and the economic and social dimensions of forest stewardship. His research consistently connects theoretical frameworks with practical applications for landowners.

Analysis of Dr. Catanzaro's publication record reveals a consistent focus on family forest ownership dynamics, with particular attention to estate planning, landowner decision-making, and forest conservation. His work spans multiple disciplines including forestry, sociology, economics, and extension education, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of family forest management. Recent publications increasingly address emerging challenges such as invasive species impacts (particularly emerald ash borer) and gender perspectives in land management, while maintaining his core focus on ensuring forest continuity through effective estate planning and conservation tools.

Through his role as State Extension Forester, Dr. Catanzaro leads several significant outreach initiatives including MassWoods (an online resource for Massachusetts landowners), MassKeystone (a training program for landowners and community leaders), and programs focused on conservation-based estate planning and restoring old-growth forest characteristics. His extension publications translate complex forestry concepts into accessible resources for landowners, covering topics from timber harvesting to will preparation for land transfer. He has developed numerous outreach materials adopted across multiple states, demonstrating the regional significance of his work.

Dr. Catanzaro teaches Forest Resources Management (NRC 540) and has previously taught Land Protection Tools and Techniques (NRC 574), Forest Ecology and Conservation (NRC 270), Silviculture (NRC 526), Forest Measurements (NRC 534), Timber Harvesting (NRC 521), and Natural Resources Inventory of Local Lands (NRC 586). His courses integrate his extension experience, professional relationships, and applied research, providing students with practical knowledge grounded in real-world forestry challenges. His teaching emphasizes the connection between academic forestry principles and on-the-ground management decisions faced by family forest owners.