Forest Protection Co-operative Program (PROTEF): integrating industry and academy in Brazil.

The Forest Protection Cooperative Program (PROTEF) of the Institute for Forestry Research and Studies (IPEF) was the first Brazilian national program to study forest pests, created in 1989. Initially with a focus on monitoring insect pests, it expanded its areas of performance, which currently also encompasses areas of pathology and forest fire fighting. PROTEF acts in the production of knowledge, through the application of the approach model between companies and universities, counting, in its current configuration, with 19 forestry companies and researchers in 3 national research institutions. Already consolidated, cooperative research brought gains in productivity and new tools for managing strategies and diseases connecting demand for applied solutions from companies with the theoretical and in-depth knowledge of research centers. Biological control strategy is the main activity developed by PROTEF, contributing to the creation of biological control programs for exotic and native eucalyptus pests in Brazil. Other important contributions are associated with specialized professional development, through the support of research by graduate students in master's and doctoral courses; through courses offered to employees of the associate companies or through the creation of working groups/workshops to debate themes related with forest protection. Therefore, the research model adopted by PROTEF has been fundamental for solving the challenges present in forest health in the field and for the development of the new generation of professionals who will work in the sector.