Strengthening the science behind certification: The role of university research and school forests

The Pinchot Institute for Conservation conducted a study to gauge the potentialforrefining certification assessment methodologies through research in school forests involvingfaculty, staff, and students. The study was based on a series of interviews with certification experts and a survey completed by 38 schools with research and teaching forests. It evaluated the potential for better use of untapped capacity at research universities by addressing needed improvements in certification programs, current level of participation by school forests, and capacity for and interest in certification. Facilitating the dialogue and coordination between the certification programs and the students,faculty,and staffwho conduct research in school forests can refine the assessment methodologies used for certification.