About the college
We’re building a world where all are empowered to explore, protect and enjoy the full diversity of our natural environment and communities.
An environment for everyone
The College of Natural Resources is a world leader in fostering the active conservation and wise consumption of Earth’s natural resources. We unite diverse groups—industry and academia, social and natural scientists, engineers and economists, students and stewards—to confront complex challenges at the intersection of environment, economy, and society.
Founded in 1929 as a school of forestry, our college has roots in the conservation movement of the early 20th century. Our original mission was to develop sustainable, scientific solutions that would preserve North Carolina’s woodlands for generations to come. As our college has grown, so has our charge. Today, our students, faculty, staff and partners work to make all of the outdoors—forests and parks, golf courses and waterways—accessible to the communities and industries who depend on them.
“We have so many different disciplines in one college, all addressing natural resource challenges. That’s unique.”
Myron Floyd
Dean
College of Natural Resources
Meet our leaders→
2,143
students enrolled
$55 million
Active sponsored research
10
Undergraduate and graduate degree programs
The planet is our classroom
In the College of Natural Resources, students and researchers get unmatched opportunities to experience environmental challenges wherever they occur.
With 13 teaching forests and outdoor living labs, eight research collaboratives and centers, and our massive network of industry partners, we offer opportunities to experience natural resource issues from the forest floor to the factory floor.
Every College of Natural Resources student participates in experiential learning:
- Skill-building internships, co-ops and summer camps
- Mind-expanding research
- Horizon-broadening study abroad programs
And we deliver those big-university opportunities in a close-knit, small-college atmosphere.