Progress 09/01/20 to 08/31/24
Outputs
Target Audience:1. Graduate, undergraduate students and personnel receiving education and training by Project Director (PD) O.J. Abelleira and Research Assistant (RA) Anthony Pérez. Graduate students included three students (Alejandro Marengo, Rey Cruz, Alvin Rodríguez) completing a Masters of Science in Agronomy in University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez (UPRM) College of Agricultural Sciences (CCA), who received assistantships from this project. The graduate students assisted and received training in the installation and operation of equipment for the Wood Products Laboratory, in the assembly and completion of the solar kiln for wood drying, and in the development and administration of workshops in wood harvesting, sawmilling and drying (see products section). Three other graduate students (Jennifer Rivera, Natalia Figueroa and Frayvel Álvarez) received education and training from activities related to this project, particularly workshop planning, coordination and administration, as part of their Thesis (AGRO 6999) requirements. Graduates also include one student (Yivaldo Juan Morales) completing a Masters in Engineering degree with a Thesis on the chemical properties of wood under the supervision of Co-PD, Dr. O. Suárez, of the Department of General Engineering. Undergraduate students included one student (Jonathan Luquis) completing a Bachelors of Science in Agronomy UPR's College of Agricultural Sciences (CCA), who received two undergraduate assistantships from this project. The undergraduate student assisted in the installation of equipment for the Wood Products Laboratory, received training in the maintenance and monitoring of demonstrative plots showcasing agroforestry and silvicultural practices, and in the design, development and implementation of a management plan for the Cóbana Conservation Zone near the Piñero Building of CCA. These activities also constituted the material for the Summer Practice (AGRO 4990) requirement of this and other three undergraduate students (Armand Tirado, Adriana Sepúlveda and Miguel Acosta). Other students targeted by the project included graduate and undergraduate students enrolled in regular courses taught by the PD including Silviculture (AGRO 4010; fall of 2021: 18 students; fall of 2023: 15 students; fall of 2024: 11 students), Introduction to Natural Resource Conservation (AGRO 4035; spring of 2022: 23 students; spring of 2023, 14 students; spring of 2024, 14 students), Natural Forest management (AGRO 5010; spring of 2021, 13 students; spring of 2022, 11 students; spring of 2024: 8 students), and Conservation, Management and Development of Natural Resources (AGRO 5015; fall of 2021: 9 students; fall of 2022: 11 students; and fall of 2024: 7 students). Other undergraduate audiences who received education and training include students enrolled in the special problem course (AGRO 4015) titled Implementation of Zona Conservación Piñero Management Plan (2 students) and Inventory of Cóbana Negra Seedlings (2 students), and a graduate student enrolled in a special problem course (AGRO 6996) titled Forest Sampling Methods, during spring of 2023. Undergraduates also included students enrolled in the Engineering Capstone Course in Agriculture (INME 4057; 8 students) taught by Dr. Pedro Quintero of the Department of Mechanical Engineering during Spring 2021, which was focused on the design of solar kilns for construction in CCA's Finca Alzamora, UPRM. Project personnel that received training as part of project objectives included the PD, Co-Director and Research Associate Anthony Pérez, who received training in the form of assisting to workshops and seminars in forest management, wood processing and on wood physical and chemical properties, and developing and implementing workshops on forest management for agroforestry, wood salvage and restoration of species of valuable wood. Mr. Pérez received training in the acquisition of equipment and materials, development of educational materials, demonstrative resources for outreach in forestry, wood post-harvest processing, and solar kiln design and construction. All graduate, undergraduate students and personnel comprised minorities that included people of Hispanic/Latin American cultural and racial heritage, and women. 2. Participants of the workshop titled "Where Wood Comes From: Planning and Best Practices for Harvesting and Using the Wood Resource" organized and hosted by the PD and RA as the first workshop of a series titled "Sustainable Use of Wood in Puerto Rico" supported by this project. The workshop was held on Sep. 19, 2023, and consisted of a presentation session with needs, background, and applications related to sustainable wood harvest held from 10:00AM to 12:00PM in the Amphitheatre of CCA, and a field session on tree harvesting methods from 1:00 to 3:00PM on the grounds of UPRM's Finca Alzamora. The workshop was attended by 56 participants comprised by minorities that included people of Hispanic/Latin American cultural and racial heritage, and women. 3. Participants of the 46th Annual Meeting of the Puerto Rican Society of Agriculture (SOPCA) that attended the presentation titled "A wood products laboratory and outreach facility to support sustainable community forestry in Puerto Rico" by the PI. The presentation showcased the objectives and progress of this project and was awarded the prize for the best educational oral presentation. The presentation was held on December 1, 2023, in Rincón Beach resort, Puerto Rico, and was attended by 30 participants comprised by minorities that included people of Hispanic/Latin American cultural and racial heritage, and women. 4. Participants of the workshop titled "Wood Sawing: Methods and Best Practices for Sawing and Processing Logs" organized and hosted by the PD and RA as the second workshop of a series titled "Sustainable Use of Wood in Puerto Rico" supported by this project. The workshop was held on Dec. 6, 2023, and consisted of a presentation session focused on wood properties, sawmilling theory and practice held from 10:00AM to 12:00PM in the Amphitheatre of CCA, and a field session on sawmilling methods from 1:00 to 3:00PM on the grounds of UPRM's Finca Alzamora. The workshop was attended by 40 participants comprised by minorities that included people of Hispanic/Latin American cultural and racial heritage, and women. 5. Participants of the International Mass Timber Conference held on March 26 to 28, 2024, in the Portland Convention Center, Oregon, who visited the poster titled High stakeholder participation in our workshops illustrates the growing interest in wood products research and education. The poster showcased the objectives and progress of this project, specifically the workshops administered to stakeholders. The conference is attended by hundreds of participants from the U.S. and other countries. 6. Participants of the workshop titled "Best Practices for Wood Drying: Construction and Operation of a Solar Kiln" organized and hosted by the PD and RA as the third workshop of a series titled "Sustainable Use of Wood in Puerto Rico" supported by this project. The workshop was held on June 24, 2024, and consisted of a presentation session focused on wood properties relevant to the drying process and the construction if a solar kiln from 10:00AM to 12:00PM in the Amphitheatre of CCA, and a field session on drying methods from 1:00 to 3:00PM on the grounds of UPRM's Finca Alzamora. The workshop was attended by 25 participants comprised by minorities that included people of Hispanic/Latin American cultural and racial heritage, and women. Changes/Problems:Major changes during the project's duration included:1. Shift from the development of on-line to in-person workshops due to the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.2. A fourth workshop on wood products development was planned to be conducted during the project's effective date. Due to delays related to activities, changes/problems reported during previuous periods, this workshop was not administered before project completion. However, the PD and RA are planning to administer the workshop in coordination with a new project funded by the AGFEI program. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?1. The training of undergraduate, graduate students and personnel in forestry and wood products by assisting in and attending conferences, presentations, webinars, workshops and field outings. This includes an on-line workshop on use of ShortCut for the elaboration of short on-line videos on Sep. 16, 2021, an on-line workshop on functional diversity of on-line course material on Sep. 30, 2021, an on-line workshop on on-line course development and education Sep. 30, 2021, an on-line workshop on the use of hyperlinks on digital and audiovisual resources on Oct. 7, 2021, an on-line workshop on data management plans on March 3, 2022, two on-site workshops focused on shade coffee practices held on June 6, 2022, in Finca José Cruz in Indiera Fría, Maricao, and in sustainable wood production and harvesting practices held in Casas de La Selva Inc., Patillas, on June 22, 2022, both sponsored by the USDA Forest Service International Institute of Tropical Forestry's Forest Stewardship Program, workshops focused on webpage maintenance and development by UPRM information services personnel (Feb. 21, 2023). Training also included an on-line presentation focused on wood nanostructure by Dr. Nayomi Plaza of the USDA Forest Products Lab on March 1, 2023, a webinar titled Failing Before the Wind, by Dr. Kim Coder, Alabama Extension Service (May 25, 2023), a webinar on Agroforestry by USDA Webinar Series (May 5, 2023), a webinar con carbon markets and the Inflation Reduction Act by USDA Forest Service (Aug. 16, 2023), an on-line presentation focused on how wood adhesives work at a nano-structural level by Dr. Nayomi Plaza of the USDA Forest Products Lab (Feb. 7, 2024), an on-line presentation focused on lignin-based bioproducts by Dr. Mojad Nejad of Michigan State University (MSU) (March 13, 2024), and an on-line presentation on mass timber by Sandra Lupien and Katie Fernholz of MSU (April 3, 2024). Training also included field visits to assess the effects of fires and management alternatives for pine plantations in the municipality of Maricao (Aug. 8, 2023), to Rancho AA in the municipality of Sabana Grande and Bosque Seco de Guánica to learn about forest and land management practices sponsored by the Forest Stewardship Program, State and Private Forestry, USDA Forest Service (Aug. 23, 2023), to evaluate the stock and quality of teak plantations in eastern Puerto Rico (Nov. 1, 2023), and attendance to the special event "Wood Roots" focused on wood salvage and products elaboration held on the USDA Forest Service International Institute of Tropical Forestry ground in San Juan, Puerto Rico (Nov. 29, 2023). 2. The training of personnel (Research Assistant Pérez) in applications of mass timber by travelling outside Puerto Rico to visit Oregon State University's Wood Products Laboratory and to attend the Mass Timber Conference held in Portland, Oregon, on March 27-29, 2023, and by travelling to attend and present a poster at the Mass Timber Conference held in Portland, Oregon, on March 26-28, 2024. 3. The training of personnel (PD Abelleira) in forestry needs in the US Virgin Islands by a five-day trip to conduct meetings with representatives and personnel of the University of Virgin Islands, state (USVI Dept. of Natural Resources, USVI Dept. of Agriculture, St. Georges Botanical Garden), federal (USDA-NRCS), non-government and private entities that manage forested lands and are actors in the forestry sector in USVI. The travel included visits to forested sites enrolled in the USDA Forest Service IITF Forest Stewardship Program along with students and faculty of the University of Virgin Islands, a half-day visit to St. Georges Botanical Garden to receive training in native tree species identification, uses, and assess needs in native and/or endangered species restoration in USVI, and visits to state-managed parks to assess forest management needs. The trip was conducted during July 24-31, 2022, leaving from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. Training opportunities for the PD also included local travel to present results of this project in the 46th annual meeting of the Puerto Rican Society of Agriculture (SOPCA) on Dec. 1, 2023, in the RIIA-AGFEI project directors meeting hosted by USDA-NIFA in Kansas City on May 5-6, 2024, in the University of U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Croix campus, on July 17, 2024, and in the University of U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Thomas campus, on July 19, 2024. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?See Target Audiences and Products sections above. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?This is the Final Report for this project.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The University of Puerto Rico (UPR) currently lacks the capacity to meet educational needs of a growing forestry sector that is struggling to increase productivity levels and meet socio-economic needs. This project aims to address this limitation by (1) developing institutional capacity and educational materials to support the development of workshops and formal courses for the education and training of students and stakeholders in the forestry sector to meet education and training needs of a new generation of foresters and wood workers, and to (2) equip existing facilities in UPR with the necessary equipment and infrastructure to address short and long-term challenges and needs in forestry science and wood products engineering. The accomplishments towards the objectives of this project include: 1. The development and administration of a series of three on-site workshops on Sustainable Wood Use in Puerto Rico. The workshops were carried out in the Amphitheater of CCA and on the experimental forest grounds of UPRM's Finca Alzamora (see Target Audiences and Products). 2. The training of undergraduate, graduate students and personnel in forestry and wood products by attending and/or presenting in conferences, webinars, workshops and field outings (see Opportunities for Training and Professional Development below). 3. The development of audio-visual aids and recordings that have been and/or are being edited to produce material for existing and/or new courses, webinars and workshops (see target Audiences and Products). 4. The assembly and installation of equipment for the development of the Wood Products Laboratory. This included the assembly of a re-saw bandsaw, a jointer, a dust collection system, and installation of electrical connections necessary for machinery installation and maintenance. 5. Completion of the construction of a fully-functional demonstrative solar kiln for wood drying in the Wood Products Laboratory and Research facility in Finca Alzamora, UPRM. 6. Two visits by an external evaluator (Dr. Ariel Lugo) to monitor project progress.
Publications
- Type:
Book Chapters
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Rivera San Antonio, J., and O.J. Abelleira Mart�nez. 2022. Response capacity of stakeholders in the forestry sector to the immediate effects of hurricane Mar�a: implications for community forest management. Acta Cient�fica 33: 33-45
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
Keyser, T.L., Abelleira Mart�nez, O.J., Gould, W.A., Gonz�lez, G., Lugo, A.E. Chapter 4: Overview of the forest management related issues and opportunities in the Caribbean. In: Schuler, Thomas; Jain, Theresa; Day, Michelle; Patel-Weynand, Toral., eds. Pages 61-98 In: Active management for resilient and productive forests. USDA Forest Service General Technical Report: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Washington D.C.
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Progress 09/01/23 to 08/31/24
Outputs
Target Audience:1. Undergraduate, graduate students and personnel receiving education and training by Project Director (PD) O.J. Abelleira and Research Assistant (RA) Anthony Pérez. Graduate students included one student (Alvin Rodríguez Sosa) completing a Masters of Science in Agronomy in University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez (UPRM) College of Agricultural Sciences (CCA), who received an assistantship during the spring semester of 2023-2024. The graduate student assisted and received training in the installation and operation of equipment for the Wood Products Laboratory, in the assembly and completion of the solar kiln for wood drying, and in the development and administration of workshops in wood harvesting, sawmilling and drying (see products section). Other students targeted by the project included graduate and undergraduate students enrolled in regular courses taught by the PD including Conservation, Management and Development of Natural Resources (AGRO 5015; Fall of 2023, 14 students, and Fall of 2024; 7 students), Introduction to Natural Resource Conservation (AGRO 4035, Spring of 2024, 14 students), Natural Forest Management (AGRO 5010, Spring of 2024, 8 students) and Silviculture (AGRO 4010, Fall of 2023, 15 students, and Fall of 2024, 11 students). Graduate students that received training as part of this project include two graduate students (Natalia Figueroa and Frayvel Álvarez) who assisted the PI in the administration of laboratories for the courses AGRO 4010 and AGRO 5010). Graduates also include one student (Yivaldo Juan) completing a Master's in Engineering degree on the chemical properties of wood under the supervision of Co-PD, Dr. O. Suárez, Department of General Engineering. All graduate, undergraduate students and personnel comprised minorities that included people of Hispanic/Latin American cultural and racial heritage, and women. 2. Undergraduate and graduate student members of the Natural Resource Student Association (ARENA) and the Arboriculture and Forestry Student Association (AEDA) that participated in activities aimed at the maintenance of demonstrative and experimental tree plantings in the Cóbana Conservation Zone and Arboretum. The activities included brigades composed of about 15 students that conducted tasks on the site on four separate dates during the reporting period and that were hosted and organized by volunteer students from ARENA and AEDA. Volunteers received assistance and training from the PD and RA, and the activities related to this project helped catalyze the formation of AEDA. All participants comprised minorities that included people of Hispanic/Latin American cultural and racial heritage, and women. 3. Participants of the workshop titled "Where Wood Comes From: Planning and Best Practices for Harvesting and Using the Wood Resource" organized and hosted by the PD and RA as the first workshop of a series titled "Sustainable Use of Wood in Puerto Rico" supported by this project. The workshop was held on Sep. 19, 2023, and consisted of a presentation session with needs, background, and applications related to sustainable wood harvest held from 10:00AM to 12:00PM in the Amphitheatre of CCA, and a field session on tree harvesting methods from 1:00 to 3:00PM on the grounds of UPRM's Finca Alzamora. The workshop was attended by 56 participants comprised by minorities that included people of Hispanic/Latin American cultural and racial heritage, and women. 4. Participants of the monthly meeting of the Puerto Rico chapter of the International Society of Tropical Foresters held on the facilities of the Wood Products Laboratory and Research Facility in Finca Alzamora, UPRM. The meeting was held on Sep. 30, 2023, and included a session on chapter organization followed by a visit to showcase the laboratory's facilities between 10:30AM and 3:00PM. The meeting was attended by 15 participants comprised by minorities that included people of Hispanic/Latin American cultural and racial heritage, and women. 5. Participants of the Forum on Native and Pollinator Plants who attended the presentation titled "Enrichment of novel secondary forests with native tree species" on November 16, 2023, in Anfiteatro P-213, Edificio Jesús T. Piñero, UPR, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. The talk showcased the objectives of this project and the results of research supported by the Wood Products Laboratory and Research Facility. The presentation was attended by 20 participants comprised by minorities that included people of Hispanic/Latin American cultural and racial heritage, and women. 6. Participants of the 46th Annual Meeting of the Puerto Rican Society of Agriculture (SOPCA) that attended the presentation titled "A wood products laboratory and outreach facility to support sustainable community forestry in Puerto Rico" by the PI. The presentation showcased the objectives and progress of this project and was awarded the prize for the best educational oral presentation. The presentation was held on December 1, 2023, in Rincón Beach resort, Puerto Rico, and was attended by 30 participants comprised by minorities that included people of Hispanic/Latin American cultural and racial heritage, and women. 7. Participants of the workshop titled "Wood Sawing: Methods and Best Practices for Sawing and Processing Logs" organized and hosted by the PD and RA as the second workshop of a series titled "Sustainable Use of Wood in Puerto Rico" supported by this project. The workshop was held on Dec. 6, 2023, and consisted of a presentation session focused on wood properties, sawmilling theory and practice held from 10:00AM to 12:00PM in the Amphitheatre of CCA, and a field session on sawmilling methods from 1:00 to 3:00PM on the grounds of UPRM's Finca Alzamora. The workshop was attended by 40 participants comprised by minorities that included people of Hispanic/Latin American cultural and racial heritage, and women. 8. Participants of the International Mass Timber Conference held on March 26 to 28, 2024, in the Portland Convention Center, Oregon, who visited the poster titled High stakeholder participation in our workshops illustrates the growing interest in wood products research and education. The poster showcased the objectives and progress of this project, specifically the workshops administered to stakeholders. The conference is attended by hundreds of participants from the U.S. and other countries. 9. Participants of the Seminar of the Student Association of Natural Resources (ARENA) who attended the presentation titled "Management of Puerto Rican Novel Forests for Biodiversity Conservation and Agroforestry Production" on April 9, 2024, in the P-213 Amphitheather of the Jesús T.Piñero Building, UPRM. The talk showcased the objectives and progress of this project, and the results of research supported by the Wood Products Laboratory and Research Facility. The presentation was attended by 15 participants comprised by minorities that included people of Hispanic/Latin American cultural and racial heritage, and women. 10. Participants of the workshop titled "Best Practices for Wood Drying: Construction and Operation of a Solar Kiln" organized and hosted by the PD and RA as the third workshop of a series titled "Sustainable Use of Wood in Puerto Rico" supported by this project. The workshop was held on June 24, 2024, and consisted of a presentation session focused on wood properties relevant to the drying process and the construction if a solar kiln from 10:00AM to 12:00PM in the Amphitheatre of CCA, and a field session on drying methods from 1:00 to 3:00PM on the grounds of UPRM's Finca Alzamora. The workshop was attended by 25 participants comprised by minorities that included people of Hispanic/Latin American cultural and racial heritage, and women. Changes/Problems:A fourth workshop on wood products development was planned to be conducted during the project's effective date. Due to delays related to activities, changes/problems reported during previous periods, this workshop was not administered before project completion. However, the PD and RA are planning to administer the workshop in coordination with a new project funded by the AGFEI program. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?1. The training of undergraduate, graduate students and personnel in forestry and wood products by assisting in and attending presentations and field outings. This includes an on-line presentation focused on how wood adhesives work at a nano-structural level by Dr. Nayomi Plaza of the USDA Forest Products Lab (Feb. 7, 2024), an on-line presentation focused on lignin-based bioproducts by Dr. Mojad Nejad of Michigan State University (MSU) (March 13, 2024), and an on-line presentation on mass timber by Sandra Lupien and Katie Fernholz of MSU (April 3, 2024). This also includes field visits to evaluate the stock and quality of teak plantations in eastern Puerto Rico (Nov. 1, 2023), attendance to the special event "Wood Roots" focused on wood salvage and products elaboration held on the USDA Forest Service International Institute of Tropical Forestry ground in San Juan, Puerto Rico (Nov. 29, 2023). 2. The training of personnel (Research Assistant Pérez) in applications of mass timber by traveling to attend and present a poster at the Mass Timber Conference held in Portland, Oregon, on March 26-28, 2024. 3. The training of personnel (PD Abelleira) in forestry needs in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands by presenting in the 46th annual meeting of the Puerto Rican Society of Agriculture (SOPCA) on Dec. 1, 2023, in the RIIA-AGFEI project directors meeting hosted by USDA-NIFA in Kansas City on May 5-6, 2024, in the University of U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Croix campus, on July 17, 2024, and in the University of U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Thomas campus, on July 19, 2024. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?See Target Audiences and Products sections below. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The University of Puerto Rico (UPR) currently lacks the capacity to meet educational needs of a growing forestry sector that is struggling to increase productivity levels and meet socio-economic needs. This project aims to address this limitation by (1) developing institutional capacity and educational materials to support the development of workshops and formal courses for the education and training of students and stakeholders in the forestry sector to meet education and training needs of a new generation of foresters and wood workers, and to (2) equip existing facilities in UPR with the necessary equipment and infrastructure to address short and long-term challenges and needs in forestry science and wood products engineering. The accomplishments towards the objectives of this project during this reporting period include: 1. The development and administration of three in-person workshops on sustainable wood harvesting and processing delivered to target audiences. 2. The training of undergraduate, graduate students and personnel in forestry and wood products by assisting in and attending presentations and field outings. This includes an on-line presentation focused on how wood adhesives work at a nano-structural level by Dr. Nayomi Plaza of the USDA Forest Products Lab (Feb. 7, 2024), an on-line presentation focused on lignin-based bioproducts by Dr. Mojad Nejad of Michigan State University (MSU) (March 13, 2024), and an on-line presentation on mass timber by Sandra Lupien and Katie Fernholz of MSU (April 3, 2024). This also includes field visits to evaluate the stock and quality of teak plantations in eastern Puerto Rico (Nov. 1, 2023), attendance to the special event "Wood Roots" focused on wood salvage and products elaboration held on the USDA Forest Service International Institute of Tropical Forestry ground in San Juan, Puerto Rico (Nov. 29, 2023). 3. The training of personnel (Research Assistant Pérez) in applications of mass timber by travelling to attend and present a poster at the Mass Timber Conference held in Portland, Oregon, on March 26-28, 2024. 4. The development of audio-visual aids and recordings that have been and/or are being edited to produce material for existing and/or new curricula, webinars and workshops. 5. The assembly and installation of equipment and materials for the development of the Wood Products Laboratory. This included the assembly of a re-saw bandsaw, a jointer, a dust collection system, and installation of electrical connections necessary for machinery installation and maintenance. 6. Completion of the construction of a functional demonstrative solar kiln for wood drying in the Wood Products Laboratory and Research facility in Finca Alzamora, UPRM. 7. Development and administration of a series of three on-site workshops on Sustainable Wood Use in Puerto Rico. The workshops were carried out in the Amphitheater of CCA and on the experimental forest grounds of UPRM's Finca Alzamora. 8. The training of personnel (PD Abelleira) in forestry needs in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands by presenting in the 46th annual meeting of the Puerto Rican Society of Agriculture (SOPCA) on Dec. 1, 2023, in the RIIA-AGFEI project directors meeting hosted by USDA-NIFA in Kansas City on May 5-6, 2024, in the University of U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Croix campus, on July 17, 2024, and in the University of U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Thomas campus, on July 19, 2024.
Publications
- Type:
Books
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
Forero-Monta�a, J., A. R�a, L.E. Santiago, S. Ward, H. Marcano-Vega, J.K. Zimmerman, W.A. Gould, O.J. Abelleira-Mart�nez, J. Rosario, and E.J. Mel�ndez-Ackerman. In Review. Strategic Guidelines for the Sustainable Management of Forest Resources in Puerto Rico: Opportunities, Challenges and Stakeholders in the Production Chain of the Forestry Sector. USDA Forest Service General Technical Report.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Abelleira Mart�nez, O.J., and R.E. Cruz Aguilar. 2023. Enrichment of novel secondary forests with native tree species. Invited oral presentation in the Foro: Plantas Nativas y Polinizadores held on November 16, 2023, in Anfiteatro P-213, Edificio Jes�s T. Pi�ero, UPR, Mayag�ez, Puerto Rico.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Abelleira Mart�nez, O.J., and A. P�rez M�ndez. 2023. A wood products laboratory and outreach facility to support sustainable community forestry in Puerto Rico. Oral presentation in the 46th Annual Meeting and Assembly of the Puerto Rican Society of Agricultural Sciences (SOPCA) held on December 1, 2023, in Rinc�n Beach Resort, A�asco, Puerto Rico.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
Abelleira Mart�nez, O.J. 2024. Management of Puerto Rican Novel Forests for Biodiversity Conservation and Agroforestry Production. Oral presentation in the Seminar of the Student Association of Natural Resources (ARENA) held on April 9, 2024, in the P-213 Amphitheather of the Jes�s T.Pi�ero Building, UPRM.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
Abelleira Mart�nez, O.J., and A. P�rez M�ndez. 2024. A wood products laboratory and outreach facility to support sustainable community forestry in Puerto Rico. Oral presentation in the USDA-NIFA RIIA-AGFEI Program Directors Meeting held on May 29, 2024, in room 333 of the USDA-NIFA Headquarters Building, Kansas City, Misouri.
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- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
Abelleira Mart�nez, O.J., J. Rivera, G. T�a, R. Cruz, G. B�ez, A. Marengo, A. Rodr�guez, M.d.R. Su�rez, and A. P�rez M�ndez. 2024. A Conversation About Best Management Practices for Forests in US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico: Silviculture in Secondary Forests. Oral presentation in the workshop A Conversation about Best Management Practices with Dr. Oscar Abelleira organized by the Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture and the US Forest Service and held on July 18, 2024, in the Cooperative Extension Services Building, University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
Abelleira Mart�nez, O.J., J. Rivera, G. T�a, R. Cruz, G. B�ez, A. Marengo, A. Rodr�guez, M.d.R. Su�rez, and A. P�rez M�ndez. 2024. A Conversation About Best Management Practices for Forests in US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico: Silviculture in Secondary Forests. Oral presentation in the workshop A Conversation about Best Management Practices with Dr. Oscar Abelleira organized by the Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture and the US Forest Service and held on July 16, 2024, in the Little Theater Room 401, University of the Virgin Islands, St. Croix, US Virgin Islands.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
P�rez M�ndez, A., and O.J. Abelleira Mart�nez. 2023. Where Wood Comes From: Planning and Best Practices for Harvesting and Using the Wood Resource. Oral presentation administered to participants of the first workshop on "Sustainable Use of Wood in Puerto Rico" sponsored by this project and held on September 30, 2023, in the Amphitheater of the College of Agricultural Sciences, University of Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
P�rez M�ndez, A., and O.J. Abelleira Mart�nez. 2024. Where Wood Comes From: Planning and Best Practices for Harvesting and Using the Wood Resource. Oral presentation administered to participants of the Student Agricultural Fair (Agroplug) held on April 12, 2024, in fairgrounds of University of Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
P�rez M�ndez, A., and O.J. Abelleira Mart�nez. 2023. Wood Sawing: Methods and Best Practices for Sawing and Processing Logs. Oral presentation in the second workshop on "Sustainable Use of Wood in Puerto Rico" sponsored by this project and held on December 6, 2023, in the Amphitheater of the College of Agricultural Sciences, University of Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
P�rez M�ndez, A., and O.J. Abelleira Mart�nez. 2024. High stakeholder participation in our workshops illustrates the growing interest in wood products research and education. Poster presented in the International Mass Timber Conference held on March 26 to 28, 2024, in the Portland Convention Center, Portland, Oregon.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
P�rez M�ndez, A.P., and O.J. Abelleira Mart�nez. 2024. Best Practices for Wood Drying: Construction and Operation of a Solar Kiln. Oral presentation in the third workshop on "Sustainable Use of Wood in Puerto Rico" sponsored by this project and held on June 24, 2024, in the Amphitheater of the College of Agricultural Sciences, University of Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez.
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Progress 09/01/22 to 08/31/23
Outputs
Target Audience:1. Undergraduate, graduate students and personnel receiving education and training by Project Director , O.J. Abelleira and Research Assistant (RA) Anthony Pérez. Undergraduate students included one student (Jonathan Luquis) completing a Bachelors of Science in Agronomy in University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez College of Agricultural Sciences, who received one undergraduate summer assistantship. The undergraduate student assisted in the installation of equipment for the Wood Products Laboratory, received training in the maintenance of demonstrative trails and plots showcasing agroforestry and silvicultural practices, and in the development and implementation of a management plan for the Cóbana Conservation Zone and Arboretum of CCA. The activities carried out by the undergraduate student included the maintenance of wood materials into the fencing and trail steps in the area, and removal of grasses and weeds, pruning of trees. These activities also constituted the material for the Summer Practice (AGRO 4990) of two undergraduate students, Adriana Sepúlveda and Miguel Acosta, who assisted in the maintenance of the grounds of the Cóbana Conservation Zone and in maintenance of laboratory equipment. Other students targeted by the project included graduate and undergraduate students enrolled in regular courses taught by the PD including Conservation, Management and Development of Natural Resources (AGRO 5015; Fall of 2022, 11 students; Fall of 2023; 14 students), Introduction to Natural Resource Conservation (AGRO 4035; Spring of 2023, 14 students), and Silviculture (AGRO 4010; Fall of 2023, 15 students). Undergraduate students enrolled in the special problem courses (AGRO 4015) titled Implementation of Zona Conservación Piñero Management Plan (2 students) and Inventory of Cóbana Negra Seedlings (2 students), and a graduate student enrolled in a special problem course (AGRO 6996) titled Forest Sampling Methods also received education and training during Spring of 2023. Three graduate students (Alvin Rodríguez, Frayvel Álvarez and Natalia Figueroa) received training by the PD conducting education and outreach activities related to this project as part of thesis (AGRO 6999) requirements for a Master's in Agronomy. Graduates also include one student (Yivaldo Juan) completing a Master's in Engineering degree on the chemical properties of wood under the supervision of Co-PD, Dr. O. Suárez, Department of General Engineering. All graduate, undergraduate students and personnel comprised minorities that included people of Hispanic/Latin American cultural and racial heritage, and women. 2. Undergraduate and graduate student members of the Natural Resource Student Association (ARENA) and College Students Against Contamination Association (CCC) that participated in activities aimed at the maintenance of trails and tree plantings, and conducting additional tree plantings in the Cóbana Conservation Zone and Arboretum. The activities consisted of brigades composed of about 15 students that conducted activities on the site on four dates (Oct. 6, Nov. 13 and Dec. 10, 2022, and Jan. 28, 2023). The activities were hosted by an undergraduate student who conducted training and education activities for participants as part of an assistantship. All participants comprised minorities that included people of Hispanic/Latin American cultural and racial heritage, and women. 3. Participants of the Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands Nursery workshop for reforestation and restoration tree growers, which was part of the Forest Management & Disaster Recovery Training Series hosted by the State and Private Forestry Program of the USDA Forest Service, that included the on-line presentation titled Enrichment plantings as a best management practice in the forests of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands by the PD on Oct. 25, 2022. The workshop was attended by about 30 participants that comprised minorities that included people of Hispanic/Latin American cultural and racial heritage, and women. As part of this activity, the PD also hosted the organizers of the workshop on a visit to the Wood Products Laboratory and Research Facility carried out from 9:00 to 10:30AM on Oct. 27, 2022. 4. Undergraduate students enrolled in the course Interdisciplinary Approaches to Project Management (ININ 4090) on Fall, 2022 (5 students), and Spring, 2023 (5 students) who conducted their project on improving and documenting the tree inventory of the Cóbana Conservation Zone and Arboretum, and of other forested grounds on UPRM's campus. The course included site visits (Nov. 15, 2022) and a final presentation of the project by students (May 5, 2023). All students and personnel comprised minorities that included people of Hispanic/Latin American cultural and racial heritage, and women. 5. Participants of the Graduate Seminar in Materials Science & Engineering (CIIM 6027), hosted by the project Co-PD and the Department of general Engineering and Materials Sciences, which showcased the presentation titled Timbers from Puerto Rico: Enrichment of Forests with Valuable Species and Uses for Super-Abundant Species by the PD. The presentation showcased the development and achievements of the Wood Products Laboratory and Research Facility to an on-line audience of 30 participants via the Zoom platform on Apr. 12, 2023. All participants comprised minorities that included people of Hispanic/Latin American cultural and racial heritage, and women. 6. Participants of a workshop titled "International Mass timber Conference; Experiences and Opportunities" by RA Pérez, documenting his attendance to the Mass Timber Conference in Portland, Oregon, and the possible avenues for collaboration with faculty of UPRM's College of Engineering in education and research related to mass timber products. The presentation was held from 9:30 to 11:00AM on Apr. 17, 2023, on CCA's P-204 room on and was attended by five faculty members of CCA and the College of Engineering. Participants (80%) comprised minorities that included people of Hispanic/Latin American cultural and racial heritage. 7. Participants of a guided visit to the Cóbana Conservation Zone and Arboretum hosted by the PD that focused on tree species, planting maintenance and use of wood products on the development and maintenance of trails. The guided visit was conducted on Mar. 18, 2023, between 8:00 and 10:00AM and included 15 K-12 students of the Academia Adventista del Oeste. All participants comprised minorities that included people of Hispanic/Latin American cultural and racial heritage, and women. 8. Participants of the workshop titled "Where Wood Comes From: Planning and Best Practices for Harvesting and Using the Wood Resource" hosted by the PD and RA as the first workshop of a series titled "Sustainable Use of Wood in Puerto Rico". The workshop was held on Sep. 19, 2023, and consisted of a presentation session with needs, background, and applications related to sustainable wood harvest held from 10:00AM to 12:00PM in the Amphitheatre of CCA, and a field session on tree harvesting methods from 1:00 to 3:00PM on the grounds of UPRM's Finca Alzamora. The workshop was attended by 56 participants comprised by minorities that included people of Hispanic/Latin American cultural and racial heritage, and women. 9. Participants of the monthly meeting of the Puerto Rico chapter of the International Society of Tropical Foresters held on the facilities of the Wood Products Laboratory and Research Facility in Finca Alzamora, UPRM. The meeting was held on Sep. 30, 2023, and included a session on chapter organization followed by a visit to showcase the laboratory's facilities between 10:30AM and 3:00PM. The meeting was attended by 15 participants comprised by minorities that included people of Hispanic/Latin American cultural and racial heritage, and women. Changes/Problems:Travel for training that has been delayed by the Co-Vid pandemic is to be conducted during the next reporting period. Since the pandemic has receded, the workshops will be conducted on-site on the grounds of the Wood Products Laboratory in UPRM's Finca Alzamora. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Project personnel that received training as part of project objectives included the Project Director O.J.Abelleira and Reasearch Assistant Anthony Pérez, who received training in the form of assisting to local and on-line workshops in forest management, wood processing and wood physical and chemical properties, and developing and implementing workshops on forest management for agroforestry, wood salvage and restoration of species of valuable wood. Mr. Pérez received training as part of travel to the International Mass Timber Conference in Portland, Oregon, during March 27-29, 2023. Mr. Pérez also received training in the acquisition of equipment and materials, development of educational materials, demonstrative resources for outreach in forestry, wood post-harvest processing, and solar kiln design and construction. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?See Target Audiences and Products sections above What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?1. Final installation of wood processing machinery in the Wood Products Laboratory 2. Completion of a demonstrative and functional solar-power kiln for wood drying. 3. Development of audiovisual materials to support on-line and in-person workshops. 4. Travel to USA by personnel to receive training by attending the Mass Timber Conference in Portland, Oregon and/or to the USDA Forest Products Laboratory in Madison, Wisconsin. 5. Development and execution of three in-person workshops as part of the project's workshop series titled "Sustainable Use of Wood in Puerto Rico" to be held in the Wood Products Laboratory and Research Facility in Finca Alzamora. 6. Final visits by a external evaluators and implementation of evaluator questionnaires on project success.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The University of Puerto Rico (UPR) currently lacks the capacity to meet educational needs of a growing forestry sector that is struggling to increase productivity levels and meet socio-economic needs. This project aims to address this limitation by (1) developing institutional capacity and educational materials to support the development of workshops and formal courses for the education and training of students and stakeholders in the forestry sector to meet education and training needs of a new generation of foresters and wood workers, and to (2) equip existing facilities in UPR with the necessary equipment and infrastructure to address short and long-term challenges and needs in forestry science and wood products engineering. The accomplishments towards the first objective of this project during this reporting period include: 1. The development of audio-visual materials that supported a total of two oral on-line presentations, two outreach exhibits, three regular and two special courses, two on-line workshops and one on-site workshop, and other products and outreach materials delivered to target audiences. 2. The training of undergraduate, graduate students and personnel in forestry and wood products in the form of attending presentations, webinars, workshops and field outings. This includes an on-line presentation focused on wood nanostructure by Dr. Nayomi Plaza of the USDA Forest Products Lab on March 1, 2023, a webinar con carbon markets and the Inflation Reduction Act by USDA Forest Service, workshops focused on webpage maintenance and development by UPRM information services personnel (Feb. 21, 2023), and outings to assess the effects of fires and management alternatives for pine plantations in the municipality of Maricao, to Rancho AA in the municipality of Sabana Grande and Bosque Seco de Guánica to learn about forest and land management practices sponsored by the Forest Stewardship Program, State and Private Forestry, USDA Forest Service. 3. The training of personnel (Research Assistant Pérez) in applications of mass timber by travelling to attend the Mass Timber Conference held in Portland, Oregon, on March 27-29, 2023. The trip also included a visit to Oregon State University's Wood Products Laboratory. 4. The development of audio-visual aids and recordings that have been and/or are being edited to produce material for existing and/or new curricula, webinars and workshops. 5. The purchase and installation of equipment and materials for the development of the Wood Products Laboratory. This included the purchase and installation of infrastructure to support wood working machinery, the purchase of a re-saw bandsaw, a jointer, a dust collection system, and acquisition of instruments necessary for machinery installation and maintenance. 6. Construction of a functional demonstrative solar kiln for wood drying in the Wood Products Laboratory and Research facility in Finca Alzamora, UPRM, which is about to be completed. 7. Co-Project Director Suárez participated as co-principal investigator in a successful preproposal to the National Science Foundation to create an Engineering Research Center for Lignin Engineering, Analysis, and Research for Sustainable Technology (CLEAReST). The team was invited by the agency to submit a full proposal that is currently being reviewed. Dr. Stephen Rankin (U. Kentucky) is the team leader and Drs. Laura Bartley (Washington State Univ.), Dorin Boldor (Louisiana State Univ.), Bert Lynn (U. Kentucky), and O. M. Suárez are the co-principal investigators. There are more than 20 researchers partaking in the effort. They seek $26 million to fund a center to formulate technologies and products based on lignin-derivatives, as replacements for petro-chemical based polymers. Puerto Rico, as a supplier of superabundant tree species (e.g., Spathodea campanulata) and coffee silverskin, is a key partner in the endeavor. 8. Development and execution of the first of a series of four on-site workshops on Sustainable Wood Use in Puerto Rico. The workshop was carried out on-site in the Amphitheater of CCA and on the experimental forest grounds of UPRM's Finca Alzamora. The workshop was hosted by the Project Director and Research Assistant, and consisted of a morning and afternoon session. The first session consisted of an oral talk that focused on the history of forest management for wood production in Puerto Rico, current sector needs, best management practices to implement during harvesting operations, and the second part was a practical field session demonstrating best practices for harvesting including planning, directional tree felling, use of safety equipment and skidding. The second part included the collaboration of certified arborist (International Society of Arborists) Mr. Armando Feliciano. The workshop was attended by 56 participants including students, faculty, professionals, extension agents, and representatives from government and non-government institutions in the forestry sector.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Rivera San Antonio, J., and O.J. Abelleira Mart�nez. 2022. Response capacity of stakeholders in the forestry sector to the immediate effects of hurricane Mar�a: implications for community forest management. Acta Cient�fica 33: 33-45
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Abelleira Mart�nez, O.J., R. Cruz Aguilar, G. T�a Ayala, A. Rodr�guez Sosa, M. del R. Su�rez Rozo, and A. P�rez M�ndez. 2022. Enrichment plantings as a best management practice in the forests of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. On-line oral presentation at the workshop administered to participants of the "Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands Nursery workshops for reforestation and restoration tree growers, Forest Management & Disaster Recovery Training Series" of the USDA Forest Service held on October 25, 2022 at Hacienda Esperanza, Manat� (via MS Teams).
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Abelleira Martinez, O.J., R. Cruz Aguilar, G. Tua Ayala, A. Marengo Casul, J. Rivera San Antonio, Y. Juan Morales, A. Gonzalez Rosario, and A. Perez Mendez. 2023. Timbers of Puerto Rico: Enriching Forests with Valuable Species and Uses for Super-Abundant Species. On-line oral presentation at the Graduate Seminar in Materials Science & Engineering (CIIM 6027) of the Department of Materials Science and General Engineering of the University of Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez, held on April 12, 2023 via Zoom.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
P�rez M�ndez, A., and O.J. Abelleira Mart�nez. 2023. Where Wood Comes From: Planning and Best Practices for Harvesting and Using the Wood Resource. Oral presentation administered to participants of the first workshop on "Sustainable Use of Wood in Puerto Rico" sponsored by this project and held on September 30, 2023, in the Amphitheater of the College of Agricultural Sciences, University of Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez.
|
Progress 09/01/21 to 08/31/22
Outputs
Target Audience:Undergraduate, graduate students and personnel receiving education and training in agroforestry, silviculture, community forestry, wood properties and processing, and solar kiln design, development and construction. Undergraduate students included one student (Jonathan Luquis Ramos) completing a Bachelors of Science in Agronomy UPR's College of Agricultural Sciences (CCA), who received two undergraduate summer assistantships during the reporting period. The undergraduate student assisted in the installation of equipment for the Wood Products Laboratory, received training in the maintenance and monitoring of demonstrative plots showcasing agroforestry and silvicultural practices, and in the design, development and implementation of a management plan for the Cóbana Conservation Zone near the Piñero Building of CCA. The design and implementation of the management plan by the undergraduate student included the incorporation of harvested and processed wood materials into the fencing and trail stair steps for a demonstrative educational and recreational trails being developed in the area. These activities also constituted the material for the undergraduate student's Summer Practice (AGRO 4990) requirement. Also students enrolled in the courses Silviculture (AGRO 4010; 18 students) and Conservation, Management and Development of Natural Resources (AGRO 5015; 9 students), taught by the Project Director (PD) during Spring of 2021, and students enrolled in Introduction to Natural Resource Conservation (AGRO 4035; 23 students) and Natural Forest Management (AGRO 5010; 11 students) taught during Fall of 2022, and Conservation, Management and Development of Natural Resources (AGRO 5015; 11 students) during Spring 2022. Two graduate students (Rey Cruz Aguilar and Alejandro Marengo Casul) received training by the Project Director conducting education and outreach activities related to this project as part of the Thesis (AGRO 6999) requirements for a Masters in Agronomy. Graduates also include one student (Yivaldo Juan Morales) completing a Masters in Engineering degree with a thesis on the chemical properties of wood under the supervision of Co-PD, Dr. O. Suárez, of the Department of General Engineering. Project personnel that received training as part of project objectives included the PD, Co-Director and Research Associate Anthony Pérez, who received training in the form of assisting to workshops in forest management, wood processing and on wood physical and chemical properties, and developing and implementing workshops on forest management for agroforestry, wood salvage and restoration of species of valuable wood. Mr. Pérez received training in the acquisition of equipment and materials, development of educational materials, demonstrative resources for outreach in forestry, wood post-harvest processing, and solar kiln design and construction. All graduate, undergraduate students and personnel comprised minorities that included people of Hispanic/Latin American cultural and racial heritage, and women. Student, academic and professional attendees of the XI International Forestry Symposium on Sustainable Management of Forest Resources, held on-line on November 26, 2021, via the Zoom platform by Universidad de Pinar del Río, who attended the presentation titled Analog Forestry Interventions in Puerto Rican Secondary Forests. The talk included the educational aids developed as part of the project and was attended by more than 30 participants included people of Hispanic/Latin American cultural and racial heritage, and women. Academic, professional, and general public attendees of the on-line workshop titled A Table of Attributes of Species for Silviculture and Agroforestry: Advances of a Best Management Practices Guide for Forests in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands held from 10:00 to 11:00AM on November 30, 2021, via MS- Teams.The workshop was conducted in collaboration with the USDA Forest Service International Institute of Tropical Forestry's Forest Stewardship Program and showcased materials developed as part of this project in the form of an on-line Excel Table (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1O6T13_2D-y9KVh8M4G6hmGzcsuVOHJKIEFaYs9HA3Ug/edit#gid=1545327664) and metadata (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Afdplpd9pzf0lIeOyQWBv49omQ4c3TZvHtn37fBYHSE/edit) that was shared via Google-Docs with workshop participants for revision, feedback and use in the development of forest management plans. The workshop was attended by about 30 participants that comprised minorities that included people of Hispanic/Latin American cultural and racial heritage, and women. The presentation was made available on-line (https ://drive.google.com/file/d/1S7b6J6HckYNkKB0uRBynh6OdDOBBufip/view?usp=sharing). Listeners of Foro Colegial radio pod-cast in which the PI and collaborators showcased the official designation by UPRM of the first forest conservation area on campus, the Cóbana Negra Conservation Zone, near the Piñero Building of CCA, and advances in the development of the area as supported by the Wood Products Laboratory. The interview was held from 10:00 to 10:45AM on April 5, 2022, and is available on-line (https://www.uprm.edu/prensa/foro-colegial/). Listeners of the podcast include students, faculty and the general public, and comprise minorities that include people of Hispanic/Latin American cultural and racial heritage, and women.Agricultural extensionists and personnel from the University of Delaware who visited the facilities of the Wood Products Laboratory as part of a hosted visit coordinated by the Associate Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, held on March 17, 2022, from 8AM-11AM. It showcased experimental agroforestry plantings in the grounds of Finca Alzamora,the equipment,infrastructure and facilities of the Wood Products Laboratory. It included a dozen visitors, half of which were comprised by minorities that included African-American and women.Student, academic, professional and general public attendees of the Forum on Forest Management and Social-Ecological Systems sponsored by the Environment and Extreme Climate Programmatic Area of CCA's Agricultural Experiment Station held on May 5-6, 2022. The forum included an on-site visit to showcase the development (e.g., demonstrative plantings and trails) in the Cóbana Conservation Zone near the Piñero Building of CCA, and an on-line (via Zoom) symposium that included the presentation titled Towards a Forest Management and Products Laboratory in UPR, Mayagüez. It included the educational aids developed as part of the project and showcased the advances in developing the Wood Products Laboratory in Finca Alzamora, UPRM. The on-site visit and on-line presentation was attended by about 100 participants that comprised minorities and included people of Hispanic/Latin American cultural and racial heritage, and women. The presentation is available on-line (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQLZ5pK7bbg). Changes/Problems:Due to the recession of the Covid-19 pandemic, audio-visual materials are being designed and developed to support both on-line and in-person workshops. Travel for training that has been delayed by the pandemic is to be conducted during the next reporting period. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?1. The training of undergraduate, graduate students and personnel in forestry and wood products in the form of attending workshops and field outings. This includes two workshops focused on shade coffee practices held on June 6, 2022, in Finca José Cruz in Indiera Fría, Maricao, and in sustainable wood production and harvesting practices held in Casas de La Selva Inc., Patillas, both sponsored by the USDA Forest Service International Institute of Tropical Forestry's Forest Stewardship Program. 2. The training of personnel (the Project Director) in the forestry needs of the US Virgin Islands (USVI). The training consisted of a five-day travel to conduct meetings with representatives and personnel of the University of Virgin Islands, state (USVI Dept. of Natural Resources, USVI Dept. of Agriculture, St. Georges Botanical Garden), federal (USDA-NRCS), non-government and private entities that manage forested lands and are actors in the forestry sector in USVI. The travel included visits to forested sites enrolled in the USDA Forest Service IITF Forest Stewardship Program along with students and faculty of the University of Virgin Islands, a half-day visit to St. Georges Botanical Garden to receive training in native tree species identification, uses, and assess needs in native and/or endangered species restoration in USVI, and visits to state-managed parks to assess forest management needs. The trip was conducted during July 24-31, 2022, leaving from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?See Target Audiences and Products sections above What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?1.Installation of wood processing equipment and machinery in the Wood Products Laboratory 2. Construction of a demonstrative and functional solar-power kiln for wood drying. 3. Development of audiovisual materials to support on-line and in-person workshops. 4. Travel to USA by personnel to receive training by attending the Mass Timber Conference in Portland, Oregon, Vermont's Yestermorrow Design and Build School, and/or to the USDA Forest Products Laboratory in Madison, Wisconsin. 5. Visit by a second external evaluator and implementation of evaluator questionnaires on project success.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The University of Puerto Rico (UPR) currently lacks the capacity to meet educational needs of a growing forestry sector that is struggling to increase productivity levels and meet socio-economic needs. This project aims to address this limitation by: (1) developing institutional capacity and educational materials to support the development of workshops and formal courses for the education and training of students and stakeholders in the forestry sector to meet education and training needs of a new generation of foresters and wood workers, and to (2) equip existing facilities in UPR with the necessary equipment and infrastructure to address short and long-term challenges and needs in forestry science and wood products engineering. The accomplishments towards the first objective of this project during this reporting period include: 1. The development of audio-visual materials that supported a total of two oral on-line talks, two workshops and other products and outreach materials delivered to target audiences 2. The training of undergraduate, graduate students and personnel in forestry and wood products in the form of attending workshops and field outings. This includes two workshops focused on shade coffee practices held on June 6, 2022, in Finca José Cruz in Indiera Fría, Maricao, and in sustainable wood production and harvesting practices held in Casas de La Selva Inc., Patillas, both sponsored by the USDA Forest Service International Institute of Tropical Forestry's Forest Stewardship Program. 3. The training of personnel (the Project Director) in the forestry needs of the US Virgin Islands (USVI). The training consisted of a five-day travel to conduct meetings with representatives and personnel of the University of Virgin Islands, state (USVI Dept. of Natural Resources, USVI Dept. of Agriculture, St. Georges Botanical Garden), federal (USDA-NRCS), non-government and private entities that manage forested lands and are actors in the forestry sector in USVI. The travel included visits to forested sites enrolled in the USDA Forest Service IITF Forest Stewardship Program along with students and faculty of the University of Virgin Islands, a half-day visit to St. Georges Botanical Garden to receive training in native tree species identification, uses, and assess needs in native and/or endangered species restoration in USVI, and visits to state-managed parks to assess forest management needs. The trip was conducted during July 24-31, 2022, leaving from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. 4. The development of preliminary audio-visual aids and recordings that are being edited to produce material for existing and/or new curricula and for the development of on-line workshops. 5. The purchase and installation of equipment and materials for the development of the Wood Products Laboratory. This included the purchase and installation of infrastructure to support wood working machinery, the purchase of a wood planer, drill press, table saw and a portable winch, and acquisition of instruments necessary for machinery installation. 6. Final design, selection and purchase of materials necessary for the construction of a functional demonstrative solar kiln for wood drying in the Wood Products laboratory facilities in Finca Alzamora, UPRM. 7. The first visit by an external evaluator of the project was conducted on June 29-30, 2022, by Dr. Ariel E. Lugo. The evaluator was able to learn about the project's objectives, observe the on-going developments and accomplishments, and provide recommendations to improve upon the development of the project.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Submitted
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Keyser, T.L., Abelleira Mart�nez, O.J., Gould, W.A., Gonz�lez, G., Lugo, A.E. Chapter 4: Overview of the forest management related issues and opportunities in the Caribbean. In: Schuler, Thomas; Jain, Theresa; Day, Michelle; Patel-Weynand, Toral., eds. Pages 61-98 In: Active management for resilient and productive forests. USDA Forest Service General Technical Report: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Washington D.C.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Abelleira Mart�nez, O.J., G. T�a Ayala and Rey E. Cruz Aguilar. 2021. Analog Forestry Interventions in Puerto Rican Secondary Forests. XI International Forestry Symposium on Sustainable Management of Forest Resources (SIMFOR)sponsored by Universidad de Pinar del R�o, Cuba, held on November 26, 2021, via Zoom.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Abelleira Mart�nez, O.J. 2021. A Table of Attributes of Species for Silviculture and Agroforestry: Advances of a Best Management Practices Guide for Forests in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.USDA Forest Service International Institute of Tropical Forestry's Forest Stewardship Program held on November 30, 2021, v�a MS-Teams.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Abelleira Mart�nez, O.J., J. Rivera San Antonio, G. T�a Ayala, R. Cruz Aguilar, G. B�ez Rivera,A. Marengo Casul, M. del R. Su�rez, and A. P�rez M�ndez. 2022. Towards a Forest Management and Products Laboratory in UPR, Mayag�ez. Forum on Forest Management and Social-Ecological Systems sponsored by the Environment and Extreme Climate Programmatic Area of the Agricultural Experiment Station, UPRM, held on May 5-6, 2022, v�a Zoom.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Abelleira Mart�nez, O.J. 2022. A Table of Attributes of Species for Silviculture and Agroforestry: Advances of a Best Management Practices Guide for Forests in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. USDA Forest Service International Institute of Tropical Forestry's Forest Stewardship Program in the Conference Room of the Company Hotel in Chrstianstead, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, from 9AM to 12PM on July 26,2022.
|
Progress 09/01/20 to 08/31/21
Outputs
Target Audience:1. Graduate and undergraduate students, and personnel receiving education and training in agroforestry, silviculture, community forestry, wood chemical and physical properties, wood processing, solar kiln design and development. Graduate students that supported personnel in the development of educational materials and activities included two students (Alejandro Marengo and Rey Cruz) completing Master of Science in Agronomy degrees in UPR's College of Agricultural Sciences (CCA) who assisted in the installation of equipment, sampling and processing of wood samples, and the development of educational activities and materials. Another graduate student (Jennifer Rivera) received training by the Project Director conducting education and outreach activities related to this project as part of the Thesis (HORT 6999) requirements for a Master of Science in Horticulture. Graduates also included one student (Yivaldo Juan Morales) completing a Master of Science in Engineering degree in UPR's College of Engineering on the chemical and mechanical properties of wood under the supervision of Co-Project Director, Dr. O. Marcelo Suárez, of the Department of General Engineering. Undergraduate students targeted by the project included students enrolled in the course Natural Forest Management (AGRO 5010; 13 students) taught by the Project Director during Spring of 2021, conducting training activities as part of field laboratories for at least one laboratory day per week. Another undergraduate (Armand Tirado) received training by the Project Director in the development of demonstrative plots showcasing agroforestry and silvicultural practices in UPR's Mayagüez Campus grounds. Undergraduates also included students enrolled in the Engineering Capstone Course in Agriculture (INME 4057; 8 students) taught by Dr. Pedro Quintero of the Department of Mechanical Engineering during Spring 2021, which was focused on the design of solar kilns for construction in CCA's Finca Alzamora and the Corozal Sub-Station of the Agricultural Experiment Station. Project personnel included the Project Director, Co-Director, and Research Associate Anthony Pérez. Mr. Pérez received training in the acquisition of equipment and materials, development of educational materials, wood properties and treatments, demonstrative resources for outreach in forestry, wood post-harvest processing and drying, and solar kiln design. All personnel received training in the form of on-line meetings, seminars and workshops, and conducted education and outreach activities related to the objectives of the project. All graduate, undergraduate students and personnel comprised minorities that included people of Hispanic/Latin American cultural and racial heritage, and women. 2. Undergraduate students enrolled in the Ecology undergraduate course of the College of Natural Sciences of UPR, Río Piedras, taught by Dr. Thomas Aide in Fall 2020, who attended an invited talk by the Project Director on October 22, 2020, in the Zoom on-line platform. The talk included the educational aids developed as part of the project and showcased the outreach activities sponsored by this project. The course included more than 50 undergraduate students that comprised minorities that included people of Hispanic/Latin American cultural and racial heritage, and women. 3. Radio listeners of the Night Crew radio show broadcasted by the Radio Isla WKJB 710 AM and aired on January 1, 2021, from 9-11PM. The show's evening program consisted of an interview, hosted by Padre Edwin, focused on the development and history of the Río Hondo Community Forest (BCRH) in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Interviewees included community leader Agro. Víctor González Rosas, Ms. Magaly Figueroa, Forest Stewardship Program Director in the International Institute of Tropical Forestry, USDA Forest Service, and the Project Director. The interview showcased the practical applications of the results and products of this project by a local community of residents in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, that currently co-manage forested lands under the Open Space and Community Forest Program of the USDA Forest Service. The applications include the establishment of agroforestry crops and of enrichment plantings with late-successional tree species in the community forest grounds for food security and biodiversity conservation. The show was broadcasted on the local AM broadband and vía Facebook Live. Radio listeners mostly comprise minorities that include people of Hispanic/Latin American cultural and racial heritage, and women. 4. Personnel of the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture (ICP) and the Municipality of Mayagüez that met with the Project Director on March 8, 2021, to seek collaboration in the development of the arboretum of the Batey el Delfín Museum and Ceremonial Park in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. In the meeting, personnel indicated the needs of the arboretum including assistance with species identification, educational wood-based markers for selected tree species, and the development of educational trails on forested grounds. Continued collaboration by the Research Associate and Project Director has resulted in the development of educational material for courses and undergraduate training experiences. All ICP and Municipality of Mayagüez personnel comprised minorities that include people of Hispanic/Latin American cultural and racial heritage, and women. 5. Participants of the Feria de Investigaciones de la Universidad de Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, held on March 11, 2021, in the G-Meet online platform (https://www.uprm.edu/feriadeinvestigaciones/), who attended the talks by graduate students sponsored by the project and/or receiving training by the Project Director as part of this project. The presentations showcased education, research and outreach activities of the project. Participants included more than 50 undergraduate students that comprised minorities that included people of Hispanic/Latin American cultural and racial heritage, and women. 6. Participants of the 1er Congreso de Custodios de Terreno y Agricultores of the Centro de Conservación del Paisaje and Cafiescencia held on March 27, 2021, in the Zoom on-line platform. The first day of this three-day online congress was inaugurated by a talk by the Project Director focused on the results of this project and potential applications in secondary forests on private lands. The first day of the congress and the Project Director's talk was attended by 200 participants that included practitioners, professionals, students, agency representatives, communities, forest managers and landowners in Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and 11 states in the continental U.S.A. Participants also included attendees from Bolivia, Argentina, Inglaterra, Holanda, Austria, Inglaterra, Costa Rica and Dominican Republic. Participants of the event comprised mostly minorities that included people of Hispanic/Latin American cultural and racial heritage, and women. 7. Participants of the Encuentro "Restauración forestal: un camino a la recuperación y el bienestar" of the Catholic World Movement for Climate (MCM), Puerto Rico Chapter, held on April 21, 2021, in the Zoom online platform. The activity consisted of online talks by Ms. Magaly Figueroa, Forest Stewardship Program Director in the International Institute of Tropical Forestry, USDA Forest Service, and the Project Director. The Project Director's talk focused on applications of forestry and forest management on secondary forests on private lands in Puerto Rico. The activity was attended by 15 participants that included community leaders, students and land owners. Participants of the event comprised minorities that included people of Hispanic/Latin American cultural and racial heritage, and women. Changes/Problems:The on-going Covid-19 pandemic caused significant changes in 1) methodology and nature of project products, and 2) the schedule of personnel travel for training. 1) The first change involved the transfer of an original on-site workshop format to an on-line format. In practice, this entailed the translation of the half-day workshop structure to one consisting of several 25 minute modules per each workshop theme. The new structure of the on-line modules is being developed. 2) Due to the limitations imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic, the second change involved a delay in the travel schedule for personnel assisting workshops for training in sound wood harvesting practices and on post-harvesting treatments for wood. The travel scheduled for the Research Associate for the first year of the project is now to be conducted during the second year, and corresponding travel programmed for year two will now be conducted during year three of the project. Due to these changes, the delivery of audio-visual products for workshops has been channeled preliminarily through on-line talks by graduate students and personnel. This has compensated for the delay caused by the transfer of methodology and product nature, and delay in travel for training, in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project has provided opportunities for the training and professional development for graduate and undergraduate students in the form of assistantships, courses and hands-on education activities supported by the project (see Target Audiences). Project personnel have received training in on-line educational resources development as part of tasks supported by this project including an On-line Educator Certification completed by the Project Director and C0-Director, and on-line tutorials on forestry operations, wood processing and development of on-line educational resources by the Research Associate. The Research Associate has also received training on educational resources development and project development by the Project Director. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Publications, oral talks, on-line presentations, courses and websites (see Products). What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The activities for the next reporting period include: 1. Training of Personnel: This includes travel of the Research Associate to attend workshops and courses in Virginia and Vermont, and training of all personnel in on-line educational resource development. 2. Acquisition of Equipment: This includes minor equipment in the form of wood working tools for laboratory improvement, and of wood harvesting and transport materials and equipment. 3. Construction of Wood Drying Ovens: This includes the gathering and purchasing of materials for the construction of a solar kiln in Finca Alzamora in UPR, Mayagüez. The construction of the solar kiln is to be initiated during the next reporting period. 4. Development of Educational Materials. This includes the development of on-line modules corresponding to sound forest management, wood harvesting practices, and post-harvest sawmilling and processing of wood. 5. Implementation of Workshops. This includes the development of on-line modules corresponding to forest management for sustainable wood and forest products production in Puerto Rico.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The University of Puerto Rico (UPR) currently lacks the capacity to meet educational needs of a growing forestry sector that is struggling to increase productivity levels and meet socio-economic needs. This project aims to address this limitation by (1) developing institutional capacity and educational materials to support the development of workshops and formal courses for the education and training of students and stakeholders in the forestry sector to meet education and training needs of a new generation of foresters and wood workers, and to (2) equip existing facilities in UPR with the necessary equipment and infrastructure to address short and long-term challenges and needs in forestry science and wood products engineering. The accomplishments towards the first objective of this project include the development of audio-visual materials that supported a total of six oral talks delivered to target audiences, the training of graduate, undergraduate students and project personnel in forestry and wood products, and the development of preliminary audio-visual aids and curricula for the development of on-line courses and workshops. The accomplishments towards the second objective of this project include the acquisition of equipment, materials and supplies to equip the Wood Products Laboratory in Finca Alzamora, the collaboration with Faculty of UPR's College of Engineering to support wood processing and products development, and the adaptation and design of a solar kiln model to be constructed in UPR grounds for education, research and outreach purposes.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Abelleira Mart�nez, O.J. 2020. Entendiendo e interviniendo en bosques Puertorrique�os: Una mirada desde la perspectiva de un Xenial del oeste. Oral presentation in the Ecology undergraduate course of the University of Puerto Rico, R�o Piedras, held on October 22, 2020, in the Zoom on-line platform.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Abelleira Mart�nez, O.J. 2021. Manejo de bosques Puertorrique�os para restauraci�n ecol�gica y producci�n agroforestal: Intervenciones experimentales en forester�a an�loga. Oral presentation in the 1er Congreso de Custodios de Terreno y Agricultores of the Centro de Conservaci�n del Paisaje and Cafiescencia held on March 27, 2021, in the Zoom on-line platform (https://www.congresocustodiospr.org/dia-1-tecnico-y-cientifico/).
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Abelleira Mart�nez, O.J. 2021. Manejo de bosques Puertorrique�os para restauraci�n ecol�gica y producci�n agroforestal: Intervenciones experimentales en forester�a an�loga. Oral presentation in the Encuentro Restauraci�n forestal: un camino a la recuperaci�n y el bienestar of the Catholic World Movement for Climate (MCM), Puerto Rico Chapter, held on April 21, 2021, in the Zoom online platform.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Marengo Casul, A. 2021. Effects of novel secondary forest species composition on coarse woody debris and soil organic carbon in the moist life zone of Puerto Rico. Oral presentation in the Feria de Investigaciones de la Universidad de Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez, Puerto Rico, held on March 11, 2021, in the G-Meet online platform (https://www.uprm.edu/feriadeinvestigaciones/).
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Rivera San Antonio, J. 2021. Structure and species composition of the R�o Hondo Community Forest of Mayag�ez, Puerto Rico, before and after Hurricane Mar�a: implications for social-ecological resilience. Oral presentation in the Feria de Investigaciones de la Universidad de Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez, Puerto Rico, held on March 11, 2021, in the G-Meet online platform (https://www.uprm.edu/feriadeinvestigaciones/).
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Cruz Aguilar, R., and Abelleira Mart�nez. 2021. Efectos de los Rasgos Funcionales de los �rboles Dominantes en el Dosel Sobre el Crecimiento y la Supervivencia de las Especies de �rboles Nativos Plantados en Bosques Secundarios de Puerto Rico. Oral presentation in the for the Primer Encuentro Agro-forestal y de Conservaci�n of Distrito Caribe de Conservaci�n de Suelos y Agua held on May 28, 2021, in the Hacienda Vista Alegre, Ponce, Puerto Rico.
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