College of Forestry
Bliss, John
Associate Dean for Graduate and International Programs
Professor, Starker Chair in Private and Family Forestry
Office Location:
140 Peavy Hall
Phone:
541-737-4427
Fax:
541-737-1393
Email Address:
Faculty Websites:
Specialty:
Private forest policy, forest-based rural development
Educational Background:
- Ph.D., 1988, Forestry, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- M.S., 1979, Forestry, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- B.A., 1973, Anthropology, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Courses:
- Communities and Natural Resources (FOR 599/699) This experiential learning class explores the dynamic relationships between rural communities and the natural resources which surround them.
- Ecosystem Services from Family Forestlands (FOR 599/699) This class offered live Fall, 2009, and will be offered exclusively online beginning Fall, 2010. The class focuses on scientific, social, and policy dimensions of provision of ecosystem services from family forestlands.
- FOR 564 Private Forests in Society This class examines private forests as componenet of social systems and ecosystems. All categories of private forests are considered, but the focus is on nonindustrial private forests. Students develop an understanding of private forests, their owners, and current social, economic, and policy issues surrounding these forests. (Class not currently offered)
Research Interests:
Private forest policy, forest-based rural development, integration of qualitative and quantitative research methods, integration of social and ecological research.
Current research projects include:
Forestland tenure change and rural community well-being in the United States (with Jesse Abrams and Erin Kelly); andHousehold vulnerability, environmental degradation, and reforestation in Ethiopia (with Kathleen Guillozet)
Current/Recent Programs:
- The Starker Program in Private and Family Forestry
- The Elizabeth Starker Cameron Demonstration Forest
Graduate Students:
Essentially all of my research is undertaken in collaboration with graduate students. To varying degrees students take responsibility for the design and implementation of the research leading to their theses. My principal roles are those of coach, critical reviewer, and sounding board.
Selected Publications:
- Donoghue, Ellen, Sara Thompson, and John C. Bliss. 2009. Tribal-federal collaboration in resource management. Journal of Ecological Anthropology vol. 13. Accepted for publication 2/12/09.
- Fischer, A. Paige, and John C. Bliss. 2009. Framing conservation on private lands: Conserving oak in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Accepted 04/15/08 for publication in Society & Natural Resources.
- Kelly, Erin C., and John C. Bliss. 2009. Healthy forests, healthy communities: A new paradigm for natural resource-dependent communities? Accepted 12/20/07 for publication in Society and Natural Resources.
- Bliss, John C. 2008. Family Forest Owners. Chapter 11 in Ellen M. Donoghue and Victoria E. Sturtevant, editors, Community and Forest Connections. WA DC: Resources for the Future. P. 205 – 218.
- Bliss, John C., and Erin C. Kelly. 2008. Comparative advantages of small-scale forestry among emerging forestland tenures. Small-scale Forestry 7(1): 95 - 104.
- Fisher, A. Paige, and John C. Bliss. 2008. Behavioral assumptions of conservation policy: Conserving oak habitat on family forestland in the Willamette Valley, Oregon. Conservation Biology 22(2): 275-283.
Click here for a list of more publications, the Oldies but Goodies