Interview with Jerry Franklin, December 7, 2018

Partial Transcript: I was profoundly influenced by my upbringing...

Segment Synopsis: Franklin shares how his father's love for nature influenced his family and inspired Franklin to pursue a career in the study of forestry. Franklin recalls that he came to receive a Bachelor's of Science and Master's degree in forest management. Franklin states that he later attended Washington State, where he obtained a PhD in botany under the advisement of Rexford F. Daubenmire. Franklin shares how he came to accept a student position at the forest service experience station of Oregon State University as an undergrad. Franklin states that he came to focus his career in the research of old-growth forests.

Keywords: Rexford F. Daubenmire; The International Biological Program; Washington State University; forest management; forestry

Partial Transcript: And in '69, the International Biological Program came along...

Segment Synopsis: Franklin talks about United State's International Biological Program (IBP), a program which funded studies conducted on ecosystems including; deserts, tundras, tropical regions, and eastern and western forests. Franklin recalls that representatives from University of Washington and Oregon State University argued for which school the funding would be directed. Franklin states that he was eventually chosen to be the deputy director of the Conifer Forest Biome, an extension of the IBP program. Franklin shares how the rest of the leadership board was comprised of members from both Oregon and Washington State Universities. Franklin talks about how the Connifer Forest Biome eventually came to conduct their studies on the H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest. Franklin states that he was eventually recruited by the National Science Foundation (NSF) for their ecosystem studies program.

Keywords: H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest; International Biological Program; National Science Foundation (NSF); Oregon State University; University of Washington; hydrology

Partial Transcript: Then I came back...

Segment Synopsis: Franklin states, that after working for the National Science Foundation (NSF), he eventually returned to his position as a researcher working for the International Biological Program in the Andrews forest experiment station. Franklin recalls that his research became essential in the decision to convert old-growth forests into plantations. Franklin states that he and Richard Forman, a landscape ecologist, worked on a paper which portrayed the impact of timber harvesting on the ecosystem. Franklin relates his experience as a professor at the University of Washington. Franklin talks about how the NSF eventually developed the Long-Term Ecological Research program (LTER) which conducted work in the Andrews old-growth forest.

Keywords: International Biological Program; Long-Term Ecological Research Program (LTERP).; National Science Foundation (NSF); Oregon State University; Richard Forman

Partial Transcript: And ultimately, Betsy Clark moved on...

Segment Synopsis: Franklin shares how he became the coordinator of Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) program for an extended period of fourteen years. Franklin states that the LTER sites were all part of a network which was linked by the National Science Foundation. Franklin recalls that the National Science Foundation possessed strong oversight over LTER and set the agenda for the network. Franklin shares that the research conducted by LTER expanded on the knowledge available of old-growth forests.

Keywords: Betsy Clark; John Brooks Slaughter; Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER); old-growth forest

Partial Transcript: Any other people or early publications...

Segment Synopsis: Franklin talks about one of his mentors, William K. Ferrell, who first introduced Franklin to ecological research. Franklin recalls some of his early inspirations including Rexford F. Daubenmire and Eugene Odum, two prominent ecologists. Franklin describes the content of some of the papers he co-authored which covered topics including; forest development, forest management, and the importance of wood debris in forest ecosystems.

Keywords: Mark E. Harmon; Rexford F. Daubenmire; The Strategy of Ecosystem Development; William K. Ferrell

Partial Transcript: Were there any that were...

Segment Synopsis: Franklin talks about one of his prominent works, a paper which compared a species-oriented versus a system-oriented approach to preserving biodiversity. Franklin opines about the faults in the preservation biodiversity ideology, which he claims allows for the ecological mismanagement of the majority of lands with the exception of lands set aside for preservation. Franklin talks about the focuses of his ecological career which has included community ecology and the structure and function of ecosystems. Franklin talks about how the advent of the effects of climate change will create a need for ecological engineering.

Keywords: biodiversity; ecological applications; ecological engineering; preservation biology

Partial Transcript: And- it's hard for the profession...

Segment Synopsis: Franklin talks about his prediction that climate change will call for an increase of ecosystem engineers, which he claims will dampen the "untouched" sentimentality appreciated by many academic ecologists. Franklin stresses the need for an increase in long-term ecological studies which he claims competes with the use of computer-created models. Franklin talks about his teaching philosophy and favorite experiences as a professor at the University of Washington, Seattle. Franklin shares that his teaching experiences improved his abilities as a leader.

Keywords: National Science Foundation; University of Washington; ecological engineering; teaching

Partial Transcript: You might of thought everybody would get...

Segment Synopsis: Franklin recalls how, as coordinator of the Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) program, he held a series of trips in the effort to build a sense of community among researchers. Franklin explains that his method of teaching correlated to the way he was taught while in university. Franklin talks about his time working on the Sierra Nevada Ecosystem Project, during which he worked in classifying and mapping the region according to ecological standards.

Keywords: Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER); Mount St. Helens; National Science Foundation (NSF); Oregon State University; Sequoia National Park; Sierra Nevada Ecosystem Project; Sierra Nevada Mountain; Soil development

Partial Transcript: Essentially, you know, what I was telling people was...

Segment Synopsis: Franklin talks about how, as coordinator of the Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER), he encountered ecosystems which differed significantly from the forest of the northwest such as the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Franklin recalls his time working with the North American Forest Commission (NAFC) and the struggles he had in integrating his old-growth forestry research into the policies of the NAFC. Franklin talks about how ecologists from the LTER became the leading informants on the condition of forest for timber and aquatics for political problems in the United States.

Keywords: Bill Clinton; Forest Commission; Forest Ecosystem Management Assessment Team (FEMAT); Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER); North American Forest Commission (NAFC); Sierra Nevada Mountains

Partial Transcript: The situation now is, that science...

Segment Synopsis: Franklin talks about the ways in which science presently serves as the source of information in the management of federal lands. Franklin describes how the National Science Foundation (NSF) contributed to the mission of the United States Forest Service. Franklin shares his experience as president of the Ecological Society of America (ESA). Franklin explains that the ESA underwent many structural changes during his time as coordinator; though he possessed mainly oversight powers due to his obligation to the Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) program. Franklin talks about the ways in which the ESA has become a female-dominated organization.

Keywords: Ecological Society of America (ESA); Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER); National Science Foundation (NSF); United States Forest Service; gender

Partial Transcript: Pull out some of those names of the people...

Segment Synopsis: Franklin talks about his experience working with the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON), a sector of the National Science Foundation (NSF). Franklin explains that researchers under NEON, though a part of the National Science Foundation, were not allowed to communicate directly to members from NSF. Franklin expands on the ways in which NEON failed to create change in the NSF, which almost led to the fall of NEON. Franklin contributes some of the failures of the program to the intense micromanagement of the NSF, along with conflict of interests between the organization.

Keywords: John J. Magnuson; National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON); National Science Foundation (NSF)

Partial Transcript: The one thing that happened out of this...

Segment Synopsis: Franklin continues his discussion on the ways in which the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) failed to form a national network. Franklin recalls that his work under NEON was a frustrating experience. Franklin talks about how the workshops offered by the Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) network did not implement a uniform method of research, which he claims was due to the hesitation of leaders of the National Science Foundation to form a network between research sites.

Keywords: Eloise E. Clark; Long Term Ecological Research (LTER); National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON); National Science Foundation (NSF)

Partial Transcript: The problem always though, is one of continuity...

Segment Synopsis: Franklin talks about the ways in which the Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) network currently struggles with continuity issues concerning management. Franklin shares some of the success stories of his students in the field of ecological academia.

Keywords: Andrew Larson; Derek Churchill; Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER); Malcolm North; Mark Harmon

Partial Transcript: Anything else you'd like to say about that...

Segment Synopsis: Franklin talk about the ways in which he integrated science into policy development. Franklin stresses how building a reputation as an unbiased scientist is crucial in gaining trust among politicians. Franklin shares how the National Science Foundation has a prestigious reputation in politics as a trustworthy informant due to the organization's high standards in scientific research. Franklin talks about the how the Ecological Society of America (ESA) has succeeded in remaining non partial to politics and political ideologies. Franklin opines the ways in which the Society of American Foresters fails to maintain scientific objectivity in their creation of policy.

Keywords: Ecological Association of America (ESA); National Science Foundation (NSF); Society of American Foresters; science

Partial Transcript: I must say I was disappointed...

Segment Synopsis: Franklin shares his opinion about the Ecological Society of America (ESA) as an organization. Franklin compares the non partial mission of ESA to the mission statement of the Society of Conservation Society. Franklin talks about his experience working with The Nature Conservancy and The Wilderness Society. Franklin shares he excitement in the ways in ecological science has been integrated into forest management.

Keywords: Ecological Society of America (ESA); National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON); National Science Foundation (NSF); Society for Conservation Biology; The Nature Conservancy; The Wilderness Society