Researchers from Harvard to visit the Faculty of Forestry

The researchers from Harvard University, Miles Schwartz and Michael Dostmann, will stay at the Faculty of Forestry of the University of Banja Luka from 20 to 26 October 2025, to support the research and activities of the staff dedicated to preservation, renewal, and ex situ conservation of the endangered species of the Serbian spruce (Picea omorika).

During the stay, the researchers will collect the seeds of this species, with the consent of the competent ministries, and produce the seedlings and saplings for distribution to botanical gardens and arboretums in North America and Europe. The goal of this cooperation with the prestigious scientific research institution is to promote the significance of the Serbian spruce and raise global awareness about the preservation of endangered species.

There are planned lectures about studying, working, and researching at Harvard, and concrete activities on the preservation of the genetic resources of endangered species worldwide, for students, staff, and the interested general public. The public lecture will be held on Tuesday, 21 October 2025, in the premises of the Faculty of Architecture, Civil Engineering, and Geodesy and the Faculty of Forestry, beginning at 9.15 hours.

(Faculty of Forestry/UNIBL)