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Dr. Bob Tjaden

Professor Emeritus

Professor Emeritus

Environmental Science & Technology 1426 Animal Science/Agricultural Engineering Building 8127 Regents Drive College Park, Maryland 20742

Expertise

  • Environmental Policy
  • Natural Resource Policy

Education

  • Ph.D. Environmental Policy, University of Maryland, College Park (2002)
  • Master of Forestry, Forest Management/Economics, Duke University (1985)
  • B.S. Forest & Wildlife Management, University of Maine at Orono (1978)
  • A.S. Forestry, University of Maine at Orono (1976)

Forestry Resources

Research

Research Focus:

  • Whether Tree Farmers and agricultural landowners are knowledgeable about ecosystem services

  • How Tree Farmers and agricultural landowners feel about participation in a PES program.

  • How demographics and geographic characteristics affect willingness to participate in a PES program.

  • How financial payments, contract length and the agency administering a PES program affect participation

  • Whether there are significant differences in the survey responses of Tree Farmers and farmers

  • Maryland’s Forest Resources in a Dynamic Environment: Assessing the Future Sustainability of Maryland’s Forest Industry

  • Integrating Socio-Ecological Research and Collaborative Learning to Increase Marsh and Community Resilience to Sea-Level Rise

Professional Work

  • 2010 to present - Extension Specialist & Professor - Environmental/Natural Resource Management & Policy, Department of Environmental Science & Technology, University of MD, College Park. Sabbatical leave April – September 2010.  The National Association of State Foresters (NASF) national office in Washington DC (April-June).  Assisted with national forest tax issues and Climate Change Legislation.  University of Maine at Orono, Forestry School (July-September) developed an undergraduate course in Ecosystem Services and Ecological Economics.

  • 2002 to 2010 - Assistant Director-Agriculture & Natural Resource Programs, Maryland Cooperative Extension (MCE), University of Maryland, College Park, MD.          

  • 1994 to 2002 - Regional Specialist-Natural Resources, Wye Research & Education Center, Maryland Cooperative Extension, University of Maryland, Queenstown, MD.

  • 1992 to 1994 - Forestry Administrator & Extension Forester, Delaware Forest Service, Delaware Department of Agriculture, Dover, DE; University of Delaware Cooperative Extension Service, Newark, DE.

  • 1988 to 1992 - Regional Specialist-Natural Resources, Wye Research & Education Center, Cooperative Extension, University of Maryland, Queenstown, MD.

  • 1980 to 1988 - Cooperative Forest Management Forester, Delaware Forest Service, Delaware Department of Agriculture, Dover, DE.

  • 1978 to 1980 - Environmental Protection Officer (Game Warden), Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife, Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, Dover, DE.

  • 1977 to 1978 - Research Associate, Northern Forest Research Center, International Paper Company, Bangor, ME.

  • 5/77 to 9/77 - Entomology Assistant, Maine Forest Service, Old Town, ME.

  • 5/76 to 12/76 - Forest Technician, University of Maine, Orono, ME.

  • 1974 to 1980 Petty Officer (3rd Class) CTR 3, Communication Technician, U.S. Naval Reserve Bangor, Maine and Wilmington, Delaware.

  • 1971 to 1974 - Petty Officer (3rd Class) CTR 3, Communication Technician, U.S. Navy Air Force, Navy Intelligence/National Security Agency, VQ l Reconnaissance Squadron, Vietnam, Guam, Alaska, Korea and Japan.

Teaching

ENST 410/689J Ecosystem Services - An Integrated Analysis:

This course will discuss the importance of our ecosystems and the services they provide.  Basic principles used to analyze ecosystem services will be discussed and applied using case studies & field exercises.  Forestland, wetlands and our marine resources are increasingly recognized for their ecosystem services provided to society, to include clean air and water, wildlife habitat, biodiversity, carbon storage and pollination services.  This course will prepare students to deal with the complex issues involved in understanding those and other ecosystem services and their importance to society and environmental sustainability.  Slowly, new markets are emerging for these services.  Students will analyze the ecological, policy and financial dimensions of enhancing, restoring, and sustaining ecosystem services.  New and on-going government programs and private business ventures will be discussed.

ENST 406 Applied Forestry Techinques:

Focuses on the applied dynamics of a set of forest practices such as management, silviculture, measurement and inventory, preparation of a management plan, etc, within the urban/rural interface. Several field trips are included to gain hands-on experience.

Extension

Extension Work

  • Environmental and Natural Resource Management & Policy; 

  • Forest Taxation & Estate Planning; Natural Resource Conservation; 

  • Ecosystem Services – Markets & Payments; Ecological Economics; 

  • Nutrient Trading; Forest Ecology; 

  • Forest/Wildlife Management; Riparian Buffers; Soil & Water Conservation; 

  • Forest/Wildlife Education to include a Forestry Correspondence Course in both a web based and paper format.