June 23, 2009
UNB News Release:

Donald W. Floyd, professor of forest policy and chair of the Canadian Institute for Forest Policy and Communication, will become interim dean of the faculty of forestry and environmental management at the University of New Brunswick for a two-year term on July 1.

Dr. Floyd assumes the position at a critical time for forest and environmental science and education in the province.

“We know that in the long term, the issues affecting our environment and the forests of Atlantic Canada will only increase in importance. Our challenge is to provide the science, education, and outreach to create resilient ecosystems, vibrant communities, and profitable resource-based industries,” said Dr. Floyd.

In many ways, this may be the best possible time to consider a career in environmental and natural resource management, says Dr. Floyd.

“Global climate change will increase the need for professional environmental and natural resource scientists and managers. Our forests will be a source of new bio-products, and the water that comes from our wetlands and watersheds will become ever more valuable and essential to our wellbeing.”

Before coming to UNB, Dr. Floyd was a professor of forest policy at the State University of New York’s College of Environmental Science and Forestry and an adjunct professor of public administration at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. He is the author of two books on forest policy and history and many scholarly articles on managing forest resource conflicts.

Floyd is a member of the Canadian Institute of Forestry and is a Fellow of the Society of American Foresters. He recently concluded a four-year term as co-editor of the Journal of Forestry.

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