Name: Dr. George K. Rogers
Affiliation: Horticulture Department, Palm Beach State College, Palm Beach Gardens Campus, 395 Mallard Pt., Jupiter, FL 33458, USA

The following is a short interview with Dr. George K. Rogers:

1. Can you introduce yourself and give an overview of your current research?
My name is George Rogers, a retired plant scientist from Palm Beach State College in Florida. My current research has two separate directions. Primarily, I’m engaged in relating xylem anatomical traits to South Florida environmental parameters. Additionally, I’m studying the floristic ecology of a crowded population of gopher tortoises in a disturbed urban forest remnant near my home, looking into the broad question of the system’s sustainability.

2. Do you have any suggestions regarding our award?
The award is such an enjoyable surprise, and I can’t think of any improvement. Although not applicable to me personally, some recipients certainly may wish to apply it to tenure consideration or other aspects of career advancement.

3. What led you to review for Forests? How did you hear about it?
I’ve been reviewing for Forests for multiple years. Prior to reviewing, I consulted articles in Forests; then came a review request. Ever since, I’ve enjoyed lending a hand with Forests, as I find the articles to be high-quality quality eye-opening, and informative. I find the journal to be well managed with a pleasant and proper review process.

4. Was it important to you that the journal be open access?
Without open access, research and curriculum development are limited to faculty at large institutions with comprehensive libraries. Even the Internet does not solve the access problem for researchers with limited resources, given the prevalence of paywalls and paid subscription services. Open access creates a worldwide publication ecosystem across the geographic and socioeconomic spectrum. As a retired academic, I’m one personal example of the benefits of open access, not only by means of enhanced research availability but even more importantly, by plant science research worldwide that never would have even existed without open access.

Name: Dr. Kelly Cristina Tonello
Affiliation: Campus Sorocaba—SP, Rod João Leme dos Santos, Federal University of São Carlos, km 110—SP-264 Bairro do Itinga-Sorocaba, Sorocaba 18052-780, Brazil

The following is a short interview with Dr. Kelly Cristina Tonello:

1. Can you introduce yourself and give an overview of your current research?
I am a forest engineer and a professor specializing in forest hydrology, watershed management, and ecosystem services. My current research focuses on the ecohydrology of cloud forests—highly vulnerable ecosystems profoundly affected by climate change. By examining how these forests regulate water flows, store carbon, and sustain biodiversity, I aim to develop science-based strategies that maintain both their ecological integrity and the crucial services they provide. Through fieldwork and data-driven analysis, I am working to better understand how climate shifts impact water cycles within these unique, high-altitude forests, ultimately informing more effective conservation and management approaches.

2. Do you have any suggestions regarding our award?
I believe the Forests Outstanding Reviewer Awards do an excellent job of acknowledging and motivating meticulous peer review. A possible improvement might be to introduce a mentorship element, where experienced reviewers could offer guidance to emerging researchers who want to refine their reviewing skills. This could bolster the quality of feedback across the journal and strengthen the community of dedicated reviewers.

3. What led you to publish in Forests? How did you hear about it?
I learned about Forests through professional colleagues who commended its broad scope and rigorous peer-review standards. After reviewing several articles related to ecohydrology and forest management in the journal, I found Forests to be a fitting outlet for my research. Its commitment to publishing multidisciplinary studies across a wide array of forestry topics was particularly appealing.

4. Was it important to you that the journal be open access?
Yes, open access is extremely important, particularly for environmental and forestry research, where findings can inform policy, guide land management, and influence community-level decisions. Having research accessible to stakeholders—ranging from fellow scientists to local communities and policymakers—ensures that new insights and best practices can be widely shared and implemented, ultimately leading to more effective conservation and resource management.