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
| Identifier | Course Name |
|---|---|
| FNR 3131C | Dendrology and Forest Plants |
| FNR 3173 | Florida's Forest Communities |
| FNR 6516 | Management and Restoration of Invaded Ecosystems |
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Extension Programs
As the Extension Specialist for FFGS, Dr. Andreu 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.
Dr. Andreu serves as the Principle Investigator or Partner for the following Extension programs and focus areas:
Florida Land Steward Program: This program provides educational programing to private forest landowners statewide. It is designed to provide tools and knowledge to landowners so that they can sustainably manage their lands for a wide range of objectives: timber, wildlife habitat, ecosystem services, and aesthetics. The program publishes the quarterly newsletter, Florida Land Steward. Chris Demers is the coordinator of the program.
Urban and Urbanizing Forest Management: Dr. Andreu oversees efforts to provide educational programming and technology transfer to urban forestry professionals, government (state, county, local) officials, and citizens of Florida statewide. His team provides 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 population increases and urban areas expand. The team is 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. The Urban Forestry Extension Council engages with UF Extension faculty, municipalities, and state agencies to coordinate development of educational materials and programs. Dr. Stephanie Cadaval serves as the coordinator for this program.
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 Middle School 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, engaging students directly in learning in a forested park that is walking distance from the schools. The elementary school programs are 1-day programs that teach 4th and 5th-grade students about science and natural resources in an outdoor setting. Camp Kids in the Woods at Austin Cary Forest is a 5-day summer day camp where kids are engaged in learning about forestry, wildlife and Florida’s ecosystems.
Invasive Species: Dr. Andreu also oversees efforts to coordinate invasive species management across the state through the Florida Invasive Species Partnership (FISP) and 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. Deb Tharp is the coordinator of this program. The Florida Invasive Species Survey Group is another program that works with citizens to locate and map invasive species on public and private lands. Christian Wanamaker serves as the coordinator of this effort.
Florida Native Seed Partnership and Native Plant Materials Initiative: This program brings together academics, private industry and agency professionals to promote the development of a native seed collection and distribution system in Florida. The program provides outreach opportunities to school groups as well as experiential education opportunities to volunteers from UF and local native plant groups. Dr. Gage LaPierre serves as the coordinator of this effort.
Belize Forest Management and Capacity Building: In partnership with NGOs (such as the Belize Zoo) and private timber companies, Dr. Andreu works with others to provide educational programming to help build capacity for science-based, sustainable resource management.
Other Extension programs Dr. Andreu partners with:
Natural Areas Training Academy: NATA serves natural areas managers from around the country by providing short courses on topics relating to land conservation and management. Dr. Andreu teaches a 3-day course on Site Assessment and Management and serves on the advisory board.
ProForest: ProForest is a forward-looking program to identify forest health threats to Southern forests. Dr. Andreu serves on the advisory board and partners on training program delivery.
Florida Conservation Exchange (ConX): The ConX program serves natural resource and land managers in Florida, in partnership with the Nature Conservancy and state agencies. Dr. Andreu serves on the teaching cadre for this program.
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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.
FOREST RESOURCES & CONSERVATION
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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