About CAFS

A National Science Foundation Industry/University Cooperative Research Center advancing precision forestry since 2008.

Our Mission

Advancing productivity and sustainability of intensively managed forests

The Center for Advanced Forestry Systems (CAFS) is an NSF Industry/University Cooperative Research Center (IUCRC) that brings together university researchers, forest industry partners, and government agencies to solve the most pressing challenges in managed forest systems. CAFS research spans growth and yield modeling, site productivity assessment, genetics, silviculture, remote sensing, forest health, and decision support.

Housed at the University of Maine's Center for Research on Sustainable Forests, CAFS currently operates in Phase IV (2024 – 2029) with four core university sites and a growing roster of industry and agency members. Since 2008, CAFS has produced over 800 peer reviewed publications, supported dozens of graduate students, and delivered practical decision support tools to the forest sector.

CAFS partner network
Our Journey

Four phases of collaborative research

2008 – 2013

Phase I: Foundation

CAFS launched as an NSF IUCRC with six founding university sites. Research established baseline growth and yield models, genetic improvement protocols, and wood quality assessments for key commercial species across the southern, Pacific Northwest, and northeastern United States. Forty one research projects engaged multiple industry partners and produced the collaborative framework that defines CAFS.

41 Projects 6 Universities
2013 – 2018

Phase II: Expansion

Research diversified into remote sensing, digital soil mapping, and precision silviculture. CAFS expanded its university network and deepened partnerships with industry members seeking data-driven tools for forest management. High-resolution site productivity mapping and new thinning response models emerged as signature outputs, while the publication count grew rapidly.

33 Projects 8 Universities
2018 – 2023

Phase III: Integration

Machine learning, cloud computing, and multi-source remote sensing accelerated the pace of research. Lidar-based inventory methods, automated site classification, and the digital soil mapping initiative matured into operational tools. Phase III also saw stronger international collaboration and growing emphasis on carbon quantification and climate resilience.

34 Projects 10 Universities
2024 – 2029

Phase IV: Precision

The current phase builds on the data infrastructure and modeling frameworks of earlier phases to deliver precision forestry tools at scale. Seven active projects address open data integration for growth models, automated site productivity mapping, digital soil expansion, small area estimation, cloud-based FVS, stable isotope density management, and spectral disease detection. Research is concentrated at four core sites with strong industry engagement.

7 Projects 4 Universities
Annual Meetings

Industry Advisory Board Meetings

Each year, CAFS convenes its Industry Advisory Board to review ongoing research, set priorities, and strengthen the partnership between universities and the forest sector. These meetings bring together PIs, students, and industry members for field tours, presentations, and collaborative planning.

2009

Inaugural IAB Meeting

CAFS held its first Industry Advisory Board meeting, establishing the governance structure and research review process that would guide the center for years to come. Founding member organizations voted on the initial slate of Phase I research projects.

2010

Second Annual Meeting

First full year of research results presented. Industry members provided feedback on early growth and yield modeling work and voted on new project proposals for the next cycle.

2011

Third Annual Meeting

Phase I research began producing its first publications. The meeting focused on establishing cross-site collaboration protocols and standardizing data collection methods across the six university partners.

2012

Fourth Annual Meeting

Mid-phase review of all Phase I projects. Members evaluated project progress and began planning for Phase II proposal development. Student research presentations became a featured component of the agenda.

2013
2013 CAFS Annual Meeting

Fifth Annual Meeting & Phase II Launch

A milestone meeting marking the transition from Phase I to Phase II. Members reviewed the full body of Phase I accomplishments and approved the new Phase II research slate with expanded focus on remote sensing and digital tools.

2014
2014 CAFS Meeting

Sixth Annual Meeting

First full year of Phase II research results. New member organizations joined, expanding the industry partnership. Field demonstrations of emerging remote sensing technologies were a highlight.

2015

Seventh Annual Meeting

Digital soil mapping and lidar-based forest inventory methods began taking shape as flagship projects. The growing publication record was presented alongside practical tool demonstrations for industry partners.

2016
2016 Field Tour

Eighth Annual Meeting & Field Tour

Featured an extended field tour showcasing long-term research plots and demonstrating how CAFS science translates to on-the-ground forest management decisions. Industry feedback shaped the next round of project proposals.

2017
2017 CAFS Meeting

Ninth Annual Meeting

Final Phase II review meeting. Members assessed five years of research output, including significant advances in remote sensing, growth modeling, and wood quality assessment, and began shaping the Phase III vision.

2018

Tenth Annual Meeting & Phase III Launch

Phase III launched with an expanded research agenda incorporating machine learning, cloud computing, and multi-source remote sensing. New university partners joined, bringing the network to its largest configuration yet.

2019

Eleventh Annual Meeting

Phase III research gained momentum with early results from lidar-based small area estimation, automated site classification, and carbon quantification studies. Student engagement remained strong with record poster presentations.

2020

Twelfth Annual Meeting (Virtual)

The pandemic necessitated a fully virtual meeting format. Despite the challenges, all research projects continued and the virtual format enabled broader participation from industry members who might not have traveled to an in-person event.

2021

Thirteenth Annual Meeting (Hybrid)

A hybrid format combined in-person and virtual participation. Research progress accelerated as Phase III projects matured, with several producing operational tools ready for industry adoption.

2022

Fourteenth Annual Meeting

Phase III neared completion with a strong body of publications and delivered tools. Planning for Phase IV intensified, with working groups formed to define the next five years of research priorities based on industry needs.

2023
2023 CAFS Meeting – Field Tour

Fifteenth Annual Meeting

The transition meeting between Phase III and Phase IV. Members celebrated the milestone of 800 peer reviewed publications and approved the seven Phase IV research projects that would carry CAFS through 2029.

2024
CAFS Meeting in Hawaii

Sixteenth Annual Meeting & Phase IV Kickoff

Phase IV officially began with seven active research projects across four core university sites. Industry members reviewed initial project plans and provided input on priorities for the first year of the new phase.

2025

Seventeenth Annual Meeting

Upcoming meeting to review the first full year of Phase IV research results and refine project directions based on initial findings and industry feedback.

Leadership

Guided by researchers and industry leaders

Center Director

The CAFS Director oversees research operations, coordinates university sites, manages industry relationships, and ensures the center's research agenda aligns with both NSF objectives and member needs.

Industry Advisory Board

The IAB consists of representatives from each member organization. The board votes on proposed research projects, sets strategic priorities, and provides ongoing guidance to ensure CAFS research delivers practical value.

Site Directors

Each participating university has a site director who coordinates local research activities, supervises graduate students, and serves as the primary liaison between their institution and CAFS.

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