Centers & Programs
Centers
Established in 1987 by the West Virginia state legislature, the Appalachian Hardwood Center provides research and technical support for the wood products industry. The AHC is a center of excellence for outreach; extension and technology transfer; professional development; and applied research. It serves sustainable natural resource-based businesses and communities as well as private forest landowners and natural resource professionals in the Appalachian forest region. (Joe McNeel, jmcneel@wvu.edu)
By incorporating technologies such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing, the Natural Resource Analysis Center provides valuable data for use in environmental planning, environmental and natural resource economics, forest and wildlands recreation, wildlife management, forest ecology, and land and water resource reclamation. (Paul Kinder, Paul.Kinder@mail.wvu.edu)
The primary objectives of the Center are to provide leadership and promote renewable bioproduct research and development, expand our education and outreach efforts, facilitate collaboration with regional university and industry experts, and enhance economic and workforce development by fostering the growth of a new regional industry in Appalachia. (Jingxin Wang, jxwang@wvu.edu)
Created through the generous support of the MeadWestvaco Corporation, the Natural Resources Center offers a scenic and spacious setting for meetings, conferences, and courses in the heart of the West Virginia University Forest. The Center is an exceptional teaching and conference facility, and home to the Division of Forestry and Natural Resources Wildlife Collection. (Coy Belknap, coy.belknap@mail.wvu.edu)
Units
The Cooperative Research Units were created to enhance graduate education in fisheries and wildlife sciences and to facilitate research among natural resource agencies and universities on topics of mutual concern. The West Virginia Unit is a partnership among the U.S. Geological Survey, the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources and the Division of Forestry and Natural Resources in the Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design at WVU. (Pat Mazik, pmazik@wvu.edu)
The GRU of the National Soil Survey Center (NSSC) supports the natural resource business needs of the United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) through the innovative use of geographic information sciences and related technologies. They are responsible for the use, application, and integration of geo-technology tools to support and expand the efficient delivery of NRCS programs, with an emphasis on natural resource inventory and mapping activities. (Jim Thompson, james.thompson@mail.wvu.edu)
Labs
Employing processes pioneered by the lab administrators, the Rumen Fermentation Laboratory provides accurate and cost-effective feed and feed usage analysis for farmers and feed representatives around the world. Staffed primarily by the students, the laboratory performs on an instructional level and provides valuable work experience for students within the Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design. (Matt Wilson, mwilso25@wvu.edu)
The mission of the WVU Soil Testing Lab is to provide basic soil fertility analysis for farmers, landowners, and homeowners. Our lab is led by soil science faculty within the college, and follows science based methods to generate your soil test results. This service is provided at no cost to West Virginia residents. Currently, the lab processes approximately 10,000 soil samples each year. We work closely with the WVU Extension Service. (Eugenia Pena-Yewtukhiw, Eugenia.Pena-Yewtukhiw@mail.wvu.edu)
Completed in the summer of 2012, This state-of-the-art facility under the direction of the Division of Plant and Soil Sciences is a center for teaching, research and outreach. The 28,250 square-foot Evansdale Greenhouse consists of two primary structures, the headhouse and the greenhouse area. In the head house are 2 classrooms, office facilities, a tissue culture room, cooler, reference room, open work area, student lounge, and a conference room. The greenhouse area features 13 growing rooms and a mist room. (Sven Verlinden, Sven.Verlinden@mail.wvu.edu)
Projects
A National Science Foundation funded project, The INVAM Collection preserves valuable germplasm and makes this germplasm available to researchers and the public. Representing nearly half of the known species worldwide, WVU’s INVAM collection contains over 1,200 strains making WVU the owner and caretaker of the world's largest collection of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. (Matt Kasson, mtkasson@mail.wvu.edu)
The West Virginia University Organic Research Farming project provides scientifically sound research and education to support organic growers and gardeners. Started in 1998, this project has a multidisciplinary team that conducts research and education of all aspects of organic crop production including horticulture, agronomy, soil science, animal science, soil biology, plant pathology, entomology, weed science and agricultural economics. (David Belesky, dpbelesky@mail.wvu.edu)
The Project’s goal is to help farmers increase the economic efficiency and overall profitability of their small ruminant enterprises through improved production practices and through the introduction of new technologies and to help revitalize this industry in West Virginia. Promoting performance testing of all sheep and goats in West Virginia, the Small Ruminant Evaluation Program serves as an educational tool for the industry. (Scott Bowdridge, scott.bowdridge@mail.wvu.edu)
Housed in the upper lobby of Percival Hall, our natural history museum provides students and the public a chance to view and learn about many Appalachian wildlife species. The museum not only enhances learning opportunities, but it educates the citizenry about Appalachian natural history and encourage a stewardship approach to natural resources conservation. The Robert Estler Collection alone includes around 345 taxidermy specimens. (Jim Anderson, wetland@wvu.edu)