Education

• Ph.D. 1986, Purdue University

Research

• Woody biomass spatial analysis, wood energy utilization and short-rotation energy crops.

Extension Summary

• More than 350,000 private citizens own approximately 83 percent of Missouri’s 14 million acres of forest land. Fewer than 15 percent of these landowners are actively engaged in managing this natural resource. Proper management of these family-owned forests is vital for sustaining Missouri’s natural resources and high quality of life. It is Extension’s role to help landowners become competent and connected not only to professional foresters, but also to other landowners who are actively managing their land.

Research Summary

• Stelzer’s research interest is developing wood energy enterprises that are sustainable and enhance rural community development. In cooperation with the MU Center for Applied Research and Environmental Systems, Stelzer has developed an interactive, online woody biomass spatial analysis tool that allows governmental agencies, city and regional economic development planners, and prospective wood energy interests to screen potential locations in the state capable of meeting energy feedstock demand while at the same time leaving intact, working forests and not adversely impacting existing forest product companies. In cooperation with the MU Center for Agroforestry, Stelzer is evaluating biomass production from various short-rotation trees such as cottonwood and willow. These energy crop systems can be integrated into agricultural crop production systems and have the potential to reduce sediment and nutrient run-off into neighboring waterways.

Selected Publications

• Stelzer, H.E. and C. Barnett. 2009.
  Spatial analysis of woody biomass for bioenergy production in Missouri.
  International Woody Biomass Utilization Conference, Starkville, MS, August 4-5.
• Stelzer, H.E., C. Barnett, and V.W. Benson. 2008.
  Sustainable bioenergy production from Missouri’s Ozark forests. USDA Forest Service, General Technical Report NRS-P-24: 306-313.
• Brase, G. L. and H. E. Stelzer. 2007.
  Education and persuasion in extension forestry: Effects of different numerical information formats. Journal of Extension, 45(4).

Selected Extension Short Course Offerings

• Developing Your Forest Management Plan
• Tree Identification
• Basic Forest Management
• Wood Energy
• Carbon Markets
• Forest Health
• Marketing Your Timber
• Family Forest Succession Planning