The University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is going to see its first changing of the guard at the School of Forest Resources and Conservation in 13 years. Dr. Jack Payne, UF senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources, tells us who the new tree boss will be.
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From: University of Florida/IFAS
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences has hired esteemed educator and researcher Terrell “Red” Baker as the new director of the UF/IFAS School of Forest Resources and Conservation. He begins his new position on April 1.
Baker is currently the chair of the forestry department at the University of Kentucky (UK) and the James Graham Brown Endowed Professor of Forestry. He replaces Tim White, who has retired.
“We are pleased to welcome Dr. Baker, who has a rich background in Extension, research and teaching,” said Jack Payne, UF senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources. “Dr. Baker brings a wealth of knowledge that can only help UF’s program in forestry, fisheries and geomatics become even stronger.”
Baker earned a doctorate in forest biology from Auburn University, a master of science in forest resources from Clemson University and a bachelor’s in economics from the University of the South. He has been chair of the forestry department at UK since 2010.
Baker spent a number of years as an Extension specialist in riparian, or stream-side, environments. He has conducted research in streamside management zones, watersheds, and on fire ecology and management.
He has considerable experience working with stakeholders and partners of the land-grant university system and said he is “ready to roll up his sleeves and get to work for the people back in my home state of Florida.”
Looking forward, Baker said he plans to work with the UF/IFAS School of Forestry and Conservation to focus on core issues for the future. “The school is home to an impressively productive and diverse group of faculty with a wide array of expertise,” he said. “I want to capitalize on those existing strengths as well as explore new horizons that are important to the people of the state of Florida and beyond.”