Jerry F. Franklin | |
|---|---|
| Born | Jerry Forest Franklin October 27, 1936 Waldport, Oregon, United States |
| Alma mater | Oregon State University (B.S., M.S.), Washington State University (Ph.D.) |
| Occupation(s) | Forest ecologist, academic |
| Years active | 1959–present |
| Known for | Development of "New Forestry" principles; sustainable forest management |
Jerry F. Franklin (born October 27, 1936) is an American forest ecologist and academic who has made contributions to sustainable forest management and the study of old-growth forests. Franklin is Professor Emeritus of Ecosystem Management at the University of Washington and has played a role in integrating ecological principles into forestry practices.
Jerry Forest Franklin was born in Waldport, Oregon, USA on October 27, 1936. By the age of nine, he decided to pursue a career in forestry after discovering his love for forests. [1] He earned both his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Forest Management from Oregon State University and completed his Ph.D. in Botany and Soils at Washington State University in 1966. [2]
Franklin began his career as a research forester for the USDA Forest Service in 1959. He worked at the Pacific Northwest Research Station in Corvallis, Oregon, where he challenged traditional clear-cutting practices and developed science-based logging solutions. [3] His "new forestry" strategy emphasized leaving logs, wood debris, standing dead trees, and some larger live trees during logging to preserve ecosystem integrity. [1]
In the early 1970s, Franklin co-authored Natural Vegetation of Oregon and Washington, which became an ecological reference for forests in the Pacific Northwest. [2] He later served as Director of Ecosystem Science at the National Science Foundation (NSF), where he encouraged ecosystem studies in Pacific Northwest forests. [4]
In 1986, Franklin joined the faculty at the University of Washington as a Professor of Ecosystem Analysis. He also directed the Wind River Canopy Crane Research Facility starting in 1993. [5]
Franklin introduced the concept "new forestry," which integrates ecological principles into forest management practices. His work has challenged traditional clear-cutting methods and promoted sustainable approaches that balance ecological and economic objectives. [3] His research on old-growth forests revealed their role in supporting biodiversity and ecosystem health. [6]
Franklin was instrumental in developing the Northwest Forest Plan during the early 1990s. This policy protected millions of acres of old-growth forests across Washington, Oregon, and California while addressing controversies surrounding endangered species like the northern spotted owl. [2]
Franklin has authored over 400 scientific articles, books, book chapters, and technical reports [5] including:
His publications have been cited over 32,000 times globally. [6]