By Alabama Public Radio
Huntsville, AL – Alabama A and M University has received a four-point-eight million dollar grant for a five-year environmental study of Bankhead National Forest. Rory Fraser is A and M's acting forestry director as well as the director of the Center for Forest Ecosystems. She says the National Science Foundation also provided the grant to increase the number of blacks involved in science and engineering. The grant will allow up to nine graduate and undergraduate students to receive annual training. They'll collect seasonal data from Bankhead. The historically black university's forestry program was accredited in 2002. Bankhead District Ranger Glen Gaines says the A and M project will give foresters and researchers a chance to address some of the questions associated with Bankhead resources.