Tesch, Steve

Position Type: 
Faculty
Job Title: 
Emeritus Professor
Department: 
Forest Engineering, Resources & Management
Education: 
PhD, 1981 University of Montana
MS, 1975 University of Montana
BS, 1973 University of Montana
Bio: 
Dr. Steve Tesch is the former Director of Research and Associate Director of the Forest Research Laboratory at the Oregon State University College of Forestry, serving in that role since January 2013. He has more than 35 years of experience as an academic leader, teacher, and scientist. Steve has held a variety of positions in the College, including Executive Associate Dean, Head of the Department of Forest Engineering, Professor of Silviculture, and Extension Specialist. In the later role, he worked off-campus in southwestern Oregon and led the reforestation-focused Forestry Intensified Research Program. Prior to Steve's Emeritus appointment, he worked with Dean Maness to provide strategic leadership for the college’s research program, which included helping faculty secure $10-15 million in external grants and contracts annually and coordinating leadership of 11 research cooperatives that apply research to meet the needs of more than 75 member companies and agencies. He led the Forest Research Laboratory’s Fish and Wildlife Habitat in Managed Forests Research program. He has been the co-leader of the Center for Wood Utilization Research, and helped establish the Watersheds Research Cooperative, a university-public-private collaboration to evaluate the effects of modern forestry practices on water quality, fish, and aquatic habitat. Steve received the College of Forestry’s Aufderheide Award for Excellence in Teaching, and has been recognized by the Society of American Foresters, the Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management for leadership in research and outreach education.