Duke Forest
Share
Duke and President Few of Trinity College led an effort to transform Trinity into Duke University by acquiring land for expansion. By 1931, they had enough land for the campus and approximately 4,600 acres that they designated as the Duke Forest. Dr. Clarence Korstian was appointed as the Forest’s first director and became the founding dean of the School of Forestry (now the Nicholas School of the
07/20/2026
Temporary Road and Trail Closures in the Durham Division
The commercial thinning operation in the Durham Division announced last month is transitioning to its second of three sites. To accommodate heavy equipment and ensure the safety of visitors and logging personnel, Gates 10 and 13 will be closed to all vehicles and recreational access beginning today.
Closures are occurring in phases as work progresses:
- Thinning inside Gate 14 is nearing completion and will be reopened once all heavy equipment and personnel transition to the next site.
- Beginning Monday, July 20: Gates 10 and 13 will be closed to all vehicles and recreational access.
- On a date to be announced: Gate 12 will be closed to all vehicles and recreational access.
We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we carry out these forest stewardship activities. These commercial thinning operations are an important component of long-term forest management, helping to improve forest health, promote stand resilience, and support the Duke Forest’s missions of teaching, research, and stewardship.
06/22/2026
More than three decades ago, Lirio Hittle, MF ’92, stood in the pouring rain alongside her classmates in the Duke Forest, learning from Professor Dan Richter that it was “the best time to see the interaction between water and trees.” The experience proved transformative, sparking a lifelong passion for forests that would shape a career in climate policy, environmental education, and public service.
Today, Lirio is helping create similar opportunities for future students. Following a successful matching-gift campaign that generated $8,645 in community support and inspired 44 new donors, Lirio has made a new three-year pledge to fund academic-year student employment in the Duke Forest.
Her contribution will be used to leverage additional funding sources, creating hands-on learning opportunities for students while strengthening the pipeline of future forest managers, researchers, and conservation leaders. Read how one alumna is paying forward her transformative experience for the next generation: https://dukeforest.duke.edu/2026/06/17/lirio-hittle-mf-92-is-paying-forward-a-transformative-experience/
Click here to claim your Sponsored Listing.
Category
Telephone
Website
Address
Suite A233 LSRC Science Drive
Durham, NC
27708