CAFS: Center for Advanced Forestry Systems

National Science Foundation logo

CAFS is a National Science Foundation Industry/University Cooperative Research Center (NSF I/UCRC) that bridges top academic forestry research programs with industry members to solve complex, industry-wide problems. Its mission is to optimize genetic and cultural systems to produce high-quality raw forest materials for new and existing products by conducting collaborative research that transcends species, regions, and disciplinary boundaries. The University of Maine’s Center for Research on Sustainable Forests (CRSF), through its Cooperative Forestry Research Unit, is a member of CAFS and serves as the lead site.


CAFS will graduate as a NSF IUCRC in 2024. The Future Opportunities for NSF’S Center for Advanced Forestry Systems report showcases a new model of collaboration and strategy to replace NSF funding and provide potential for CAFS organizational growth.

The CAFS Business Plan details the guiding principles and strategic objectives for the coming 5 years.

(Meeting pages and Data Portal are password protected for access by CAFS members and scientists)


The 2025 in-person IAB meeting and field tour will be held June 10-12, 2025 in Waimea, HI

In addition to project updates and field tour focused on reforestation and nursery operations, this important meeting will mark the transition from our current NSF-supported I/UCRC to a graduated center.


Past Annual Reports

University of Maine
NSF# 1915078
University of Washington
NSF# 1916155
University of Georgia
NSF# 1916720
University of Idaho
NSF# 1916699
North Carolina State University
NSF# 1916552
Purdue University
NSF# 1916587
Oregon State University
NSF# 1916793

Front cover of the CAFS Year 4 Annual Report 2023
Cover of CAFS 2022 annual report with link to report pdf
cover of CAFS 2021 annual report
CAFS Ph. 3 Report Cover image

Aaron Weiskittel
Director, CAFS
University of Maine, Lead CAFS Site
aaron.weiskittel@maine.edu
207.581.2857

Meg Fergusson
CAFS Program Manager
margaret.fergusson@maine.edu
207.581.3794