In fiscal year 2006, the U.S. Forest Service launched its new Northern Research Station (NRS), consolidating the scientific and administrative work formerly conducted by the North Central and Northeastern Research Stations. The NRS, headquartered in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, serves a 20-state region stretching from Maine to West Virginia to Missouri to Minnesota and offers an added emphasis on science and science delivery and a stronger network of cooperators to better leverage Forest Service scientific capacity. The NRS is now the largest organization in the Research and Development mission area.
The consolidation saved $1.275 million this fiscal year alone and has redirected those savings to on-the-ground science that promotes leading-edge discovery and improves the linkages of environmental health with community well-being. The rapid, virtually seamless establishment of the NRS has been deemed "an unprecedented success." Benefits will include an integrated, cohesive landscape-scale research program and fewer work redundancies, resulting in a better utilized workforce.
Existing offices remain in operation, so movement of current employees will be minimal.
"We are thrilled," stated Deputy Chief for Research Ann Bartuska. "The creation of a Northern Research Station will
strengthen the Forest Service's research and technology transfer program, improve the agency's overall organizational efficiency, and improve the Station's capacity as a partner in research collaboration and regional partnerships. As with other Forest Service research stations, the information and technology produced through basic and applied science programs at the NRS are available to the public for its benefit and use."
