معرفی
Peter Smallidge serves as the NYS Extension Forester and Senior Extension Associate in the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment at Cornell University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. He directs Cornell's Arnot Forest and coordinates the ForestConnect program, which integrates applied research and extension to empower forest owners, maple producers, and foresters with science-based decision-making tools for sustainable forest management.
His academic credentials include a B.S. in Forestry from Purdue University (1986), and both an M.S. (1998) and Ph.D. (1993) in Forest Ecology from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry.
Dr. Smallidge's research centers on sustainable forest use, with key projects addressing deer impacts on forest vegetation, sugarbush health and productivity, and control of invasive species like beech. His work emphasizes practical applications, translating ecological science into actionable strategies for forest stakeholders to maintain productive and biodiverse forests.
Recent publications demonstrate his focus on bridging research and practice, covering topics from tree vigor assessment to innovative deer exclusion techniques and sustainable maple syrup production systems. These works underscore his commitment to advancing forest management through evidence-based approaches.
His contributions have been recognized with numerous awards:
- Fellow of the Society of American Foresters
- Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability Faculty Fellow
- NY Association of County Agricultural Agents Award for service to CCE educators
- National Family Forests Education Award
- Society of American Foresters National Award for Technology Transfer
- New York Forest Owners Association Hieberg Award
Through ForestConnect, Dr. Smallidge leads extension initiatives funded by USDA and other grants, including a monthly webinar series, the Master Forest Owner program, and online courses. He also teaches NTRES 3250, mentoring the next generation of forest managers, and collaborates on large-scale projects such as the $60 million USDA climate-smart initiative for New York forests.
As Arnot Forest Director, he oversees a living laboratory for timber management, maple production, and ecological research, while leading the ForestConnect team in delivering statewide extension services that connect Cornell's research with forest landowners and practitioners.
