Michael Andreu

Associate Professor, Forest Systems

Michael Andreu's appointment with FFGS is split between Teaching and Extension. He served as the Undergraduate Coordinator for three of our undergraduate B.S. degree programs (Forest Resource Conservation, Natural Resource Conservation and Geomatics) from 2010-2018. In 2019, he assumed the role as the FFGS Extension Coordinator.

Courses Taught

• Extension Programs

  As the Extension Coordinator for FFGS, Michael works with our faculty and staff to ensure they provide programming that is relevant to FFGS stakeholders in Florida and to the broader global community. The researchers at the School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences are continually deepening their scientific understanding and it is their responsibility to make it available using traditional and innovative means of delivery. As an Extension Specialist he works statewide and on forestry issues that cross the wildland – urban continuum.

  Major Extension Programs Michael serves as the Principle Investigator or Partner:

  Florida Forest Stewardship Program: This program provides educational programing to private forest landowners statewide. Their programs are designed to provide the tools and knowledge to their clients so that they can sustainably manage their lands for a wide range of objectives: timber, wildlife habitat, ecosystem services, and aesthetics. They also publish the quarterly newsletter, Florida Land Steward. Chris Demers is the Coordinator of the program.

  Urban and Urbanizing Forest Management: This program provides educational programming and technology transfer to urban forestry professionals, government (state, county, local) officials, and citizens of Florida statewide. They provide inventory tools and management systems to build capacity for people, agencies and organizations interested in trees, woodlands and forests so that they can work together to resolve conflicts, respond to natural disasters and build effective partnerships as their population increases and urban areas expand. They are engaged in long-term urban forest monitoring projects in the Tampa Bay Watershed and Gainesville to learn how urbanization is changing forest structure, composition and the ecosystem services they provide. Michael works in partnership with Rob Northrop (Urban Forestry Extension Agent), Dr. Andrew Koeser (UF Arboriculture), Dr. Wayne Zipperer (USDA, Urban Forest Ecologist) and Dr.Shawn Landry (USF, Urban Ecology/Geography)

  Kids in the Woods (KIW): Started in 2012, this program has been delivering scientifically rigorous modules to elementary and middle school students using outdoor education pedagogical approaches. The KIW program at Westwood is a partnership with UF FFGS, USDA Forest Service, Alachua County Schools and the City of Gainesville to provide 3 week long modules to all the students enrolled in 6th grade (~350/yr). The modules include a bird study, a creek study and a tree benefits study, all focused on urban forest and engaging students directly in learning in forested park walking distance from the schools. The Elementary School programs are 1 day programs for 4th and 5th grade students and are designed to teach students about science and natural resources in an outdoor setting. Camp Kids in the Woods at Austin Cary is a 5-day summer day camp where kids are engaged in learning about forestry, wildlife and Florida’s ecosystems. Molly Disabb is the Coordinator of this program.

  Invasive Species: This program helps to coordinate invasive species management across the state through the Florida Invasive Species Partnership (FISP) and working with the CISMA’s. This program also helps coordinate the efforts of the UF IFAS Invasive Species Council. The council brings together researchers throughout IFAS so that they can effectively deliver extension programming to County Extension Agents and professionals working throughout the state. Emily Bell is the Coordinator of this program.

  Austin Cary Forest: This 2600-acre working forest supports the teaching, research and extension programs for the FFGS. The forest is managed to provide opportunities to have examples of a wide range of silvicultural systems (highly intensive to extensive management) to maximize educational opportunities. The forest host Extension events throughout the year and in 2019 they started their largest outreach program Fire Festival where they partner with Federal, State, County, City agencies and NGO’s for a 1-day event that includes prescribed fires demonstrations. Camp Kids in the Woods at Austin Cary is a 5-day summer day camp where kids are engaged in learning about forestry, wildlife and Florida’s ecosystems. Scott Sager is the ACF Forester.

  Other Extension programs Michael partners with:

  Natural Areas Training Academy: Michael teaches a 3-day course on Site Assessment and Management and serves on the advisory board.

  ProForest: Michael serves on the advisory board and partners on training program delivery

• Research Interests

  Michael works with his students to develop research that supports his Teaching and Extension programs. Broadly speaking his research addresses sustainable forest management at all scales and across the urban to rural gradient.

• Education

  • PhD, Silviculture & Forest Protection, University of Washington, 2005
  • MF Forest Resource Management, Duke University, 1995
  • BA, Natural Resources, Sewanee:The University of the South, 1992

• Publications
  • Publications as of July 2024