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Gary Bentrup

Gary Bentrup
Res. Landscape Planner
National Agroforestry Center
East Campus
Lincoln, NE 68583-0822
United States
Phone
402-437-5178 x4018
0000-0002-1913-4207
Email
Current Research

My research focuses on four interrelated areas: 1) the application of conservation buffers to provide multiple landscape services; 2) development and evaluation of evidence-based tools for planning and designing multifunctional agricultural landscapes; 3) agroforestry's potential role in adapting to climate change and extreme weather events; and 4) theory and principles for effective science delivery.

Research Interest

Agroforestry, agricultural land use, multifunctional landscapes, science delivery, conservation buffers, landscape planning and design

Why This Research Is Important
Over 50% percent of land use in the U.S. is dedicated to some form of agricultural production. How we manage farms and ranches plays a critical role in determining the ecosystem services we can expect from these working landscapes. One key option in the toolbox is agroforestry—the intentional combination of agriculture and forestry to create an integrated and sustainable land-use system. Research lays the foundation for creating agroforestry systems that provide multiple benefits for landowners and society.
Professional Experience
  • Adjunct Professor,  University of Nebraska, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture,  2007 - Current
  • Research Landscape Planner,  USDA National Agroforestry Center,  1999 - Current
  • Landscape Architect/Wetland Specialist,  Willow Creek Ecology, Mendon, UT,  1997 - 1999
  • Landscape Architect/Wetland Specialist,  Aquatic and Wetland Consultants, Boulder, CO.,  1994 - 1996
Professional Organizations
  • Member,  American Society of Landscape Architects,  2009 - Current
  • Member,  Soil and Water Conservation Society,  2002 - Current
  • Member,  International Association for Landscape Ecology,  2000 - Current
Awards & Recognition
  • Outstanding Paper , 2021
    For the manuscript "A cultural landscape archive: digitizing the New Deal’s Prairie States Forestry Project" published in Landscape Research Record.
  • USFS R&D Deputy Chief's Science Delivery Award, 2012
    For outstanding initiative and creativity in science delivery
  • Award of Excellence, 2010
    National Association of Government Communicators. For the publication Conservation Buffers: Design Guidelines for Buffers, Corridors and Greenways
  • Southern Research Station Director's Award - Technology Transfer, 2009
    For outstanding initiative and creativity in developing a field book of science-based guidelines for conservation buffer planning and design.
  • Gold Award, 2009
    Association for Communication Excellence in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Life and Human Sciences. For the publication Conservation Buffers: Design Guidelines for Buffers, Corridors and Greenways
  • USDA Two Chiefs' Partnership Award, 2006
    For collaborative work on developing the CanVis Visual Simulation Kit
  • Southern Research Station Director’s Award for Technology Transfer, 2006
    For development of the CanVis Visual Simulation Kit.
  • Best Research Article, 2004
    For the manuscript "Where should buffers go? - modeling riparian habitat connectivity in northeast Kansas" published in the Journal of Soil and Water Conservation.
  • The Wildlife Society - Outstanding Book Award, 2001
    For co-authorship of the publication entitled "Conservation Corridor Planning at the Landscape Level: Managing for Wildlife Habitat".
Featured Publications
Other Publications
Research Highlights

Non-Timber Forest Product Calculator: A Tool for Merging Conservation and Production

Year: 2016
The new non-timber forest product calculator allows landowners to estimate the income potential of harvesting and selling non-timber forest products from their conservation planting.

Assessing Agroforestry’s Role in Mitigating and Adapting to Climate Change

Year: 2018
The first-ever scientific assessment on agroforestry as a mechanism for improving the resiliency and productivity of farm and ranch lands.

Assessing Agroforestry’s Role in Supporting Insect Pollinators

Year: 2020
First-ever systematic review of agroforestry’s contribution to enhancing pollinator conservation and pollination services on farms and ranches.

Buffer Guidelines

Year: 2010
Buffer Guidelines: This field guidebook was promotes multifunctional landscape management through a concise yet comprehensive and easy-to-understand synthesis of science-based guidelines for planning and designing conservation buffers, corridors, and greenways in both rural and urban settings.

A Win-Win on Agricultural Lands: Creating Wildlife Habitat Through Agroforestry

Year: 2014
Over 50 percent of land use in the U.S. is dedicated to agricultural production. Farms and ranches are therefore a critical piece in the conservation puzzle, as actions taken on these working landscapes have an impact on wildlife and the health of ecosystems. Agroforestry is one option to create ben...

Cornucopia in the Cities: Growing Urban Agriculture with Trees

Year: 2014
Advances in research show how incorporating trees in urban landscapes contributes to diverse sustainable systems for growing food in cities that will increase food security.

New Assessment Sheds Light on Building Resilient Landscapes from Forests to Farms

Year: 2015
Projected changes in climate patterns and weather variability pose substantial hazards for U.S. agricultural systems and the resource base.

Outreaching Agroforestry in a Changing Climate

Year: 2020
USDA National Agroforestry Center (NAC) staff developed new resources to support state, federal, extension, non-profit and private sector staff who receive requests to plan agroforestry practices for specific climate adaptation or mitigation outcomes. From web resources to information sheets to pres...

Agroforestry for Sustainable Food Production and Resilient Landscapes

Year: 2019
The USDA National Agroforestry Center fostered exchange of research, data, and practitioner experiences through its co-organization of the 16th North American Agroforestry Conference in Corvallis, Oregon.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/about/people/gbentrup