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University of Idaho’s Forest Utilization Research program seeks workforce manager after $2 million equipment purchase
Summary
The Forest Utilization Research Program at the University of Idaho requested partial funding for a workforce development manager to train student employees on newly acquired advanced forestry equipment and support the experimental forest and wildland fire center.
Kevin Campbell of the Legislative Services Office presented the Forest Utilization Research Program (FIRR) budget and said FIRR is part of the University of Idaho College of Natural Resources, with 13.28 authorized FTP and a half‑FTP vacancy.
Dennis Becker, dean of the College of Natural Resources and director of FIRR, told the committee the program manages experimental forests, tree farms, a seedling nursery, the Mica Creek Watershed Project and the wildland fire center. Becker said FIRR purchased about $2,000,000 in advanced logging and forestry technology using logging proceeds and private industry contributions and now needs ongoing staff capacity to supervise and train students on the new equipment.
FIRR’s FY 2026 request seeks partial funding for a workforce development manager who would supervise student employees and operate/maintain the new equipment. Becker said the role is intended to strengthen FIRR’s workforce‑training mission and ensure students gain hands‑on experience with advanced forestry technology.
Campbell described FIRR’s recent budget history: FIRR received ongoing general‑fund support of $18,200 in FY 2024 for wildland fire center personnel and a half FTE in FY 2025 for an administrative specialist in Boise. He said FIRR typically spends its full appropriation and that roughly 90% of FIRR’s expenditures are wages and benefits, with about 10.6% in operating expenses.
Becker asked the committee to support the workforce position, saying the investment would expand student training and help prepare graduates for work in the forest products industry. The committee had no substantive questions beyond procedural clarity, and no votes were taken at the hearing.
