College of Natural Resources Council

The College of Natural Resources Council is the official representative body for all students in the college. Composed of representatives from all recognized student organizations, the council meets monthly to discuss issues, challenges, accomplishments and concerns, while also brainstorming ideas to improve student experiences. It also allocates annual funding to support the activities of student organizations. For more information, please contact cnr_council@ncsu.edu.

Ambassador and Leadership Programs

• The College of Natural Resources Ambassadors is a motivated, student-led organization that serves as a liaison between the college and its community: prospective students, parents, distinguished guests, alumni and NC State University as whole. The ambassadors foster a sense of community within the college and play an active role in organizing and participating in events across the university, such as Shack-A-Thon and Open House. For more information, please contact cnrambassadors@ncsu.edu.
• The Forestry and Environmental Resources Leadership Board creates a welcoming environment for existing students with events and programs to enhance the student experience and provide support within the department and the college. If interested in joining the board, please contact Erin Champion at eachampi@ncsu.edu.
• The James Buzzard Leadership Development Program develops a cohort of upper-level undergraduate student leaders to positively impact organizations, their community and the world. Through experiences such as field trips to meet industry leaders and one-on-one coaching sessions, this program prepares students to enter their fields with a grasp of leadership principles and self-awareness of their strengths and opportunities of growth. For more information, please contact buzzardleadership@ncsu.edu.

Student Organizations

• The Citizen Science Club promotes inclusion and interdisciplinarity in the scientific community. Biweekly meetings feature presentations from guest speakers whose work involves citizen science and may present opportunities for members to be participate in research, club training and citizen science projects. Advisor: Caren Cooper
• The student chapter of Delta Waterfowl promotes wildlife conservation and waterfowl management through education, research and advocacy. It supports Delta Waterfowl’s mission by engaging students in the University Hunting Program, launched at NC State in 2022, to help ensure that future policies support sustainable wetlands and waterfowl populations. Advisor: Chris DePerno
• The Environmental Student Association promotes campus environmental awareness and environmental protection. Advisor: Renee Strnad
• The Epsilon Eta Environmental Fraternity Iota Chapter advocates for environmental justice and sustainability at NC State and in the surrounding area. It welcomes all students who have an interest in the environment and wish to make our communities more sustainable and eco-friendly. Advisor: Dana Thomas
• The Forestry Club is open to all NC State students, not just thoe majoring in forest management. The club competes in several forestry competitions throughout the Southeast, including Rolleo, a competition that the club hosts every November. Competitions consist of several physical events such as standing and horizontal wood chopping, men and women’s crosscut sawing, log rolling, axe throwing and archery, as well as others. Forestry-based technical events include wood identification, dendrology, wildlife identification and timber estimation. Practices are held twice a week. If you are interested in learning more about forestry or competing in collegiate timbersports, you are invited to join.  Connect and learn more on Facebook. Advisor: Steph Jeffries
• The Global Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Student Chapter educates students on emerging issues in water, sanitation and hygiene globally and builds connections with the Global WaSH faculty cluster, nonprofit organizations and nongovernmental organizations in the Triangle. Advisor: Angela Harris
• The Leopold Wildlife Club is an association of students, faculty advisors and wildlife professionals who share a passion for wildlife management and conservation. As the student chapter of The Wildlife Society, we work closely with wildlife professionals at the state and regional levels. Our meetings include workshops and lectures, community service projects, bird walks, herpetology expeditions and the Southeast Region Wildlife Conclave. Active membership is open to students of all backgrounds and majors. Learn more on Facebook. Advisors:Nicole Mihnovets and Chris Moorman
• Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences was chartered in 1998 and is jointly sponsored by the College of Natural Resources and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. It provides professional, community and personal development opportunities for students and strives for the inclusion, achievement and advancement of all people in the agricultural sciences. Activities include community service, collaborating with fellow student organizations and holding fundraising events such as the bi-annual Fish Fry and the Muscadine Jelly Sale. Advisor: Latisha Judd
• The National Parks Club creates a fun, welcoming environment for people of all backgrounds to bond over a common interest in nature. The club raises awareness of the importance of national, state and local public lands and advocates for their conservation through volunteering, discussion, hands-on experiences and recreation. By educating members about career paths within environmental action and parks, recreation and tourism management, the club builds advocacy skills, networks and members’ interests. Advisor: Lincoln Larson
• The Society of American Foresters Student Chapter is part of the largest professional society for foresters and natural resource professionals. It has advanced research, education and connections between professionals and students for more than a century at NC State. Our cooperative activities include the spring dinner, hosted and supported by the student chapter, and representation at the Arbor Day celebration at the Raleigh Farmers Market. The student chapter organizes major trips for students to the Society of American Foresters National Convention and the regional Appalachian Society of American Foresters Annual Meeting. Advisors: Robert Jetton and Gary Blank
• The Student Association for Fire Ecology is a university chapter of the Association for Fire Ecology, an international organization dedicated to improving the knowledge and use of fire in land management, helping to shape the emerging profession and growing the field of fire ecology. The NC State chapter is focused on activities that continue student education and professional advancement in wildland fire ecology. We work with our fire partners in the North Carolina Forest Service, North Carolina Parks and Recreation and The Nature Conservancy to conduct collaborative training that allows students to participate in prescribed fire crews on NC State’s experimental forests and partner lands. Learn more at @ncstatesafe on Instagram or on Facebook. Advisor: Elliot Nauert
• The Student Chapter of the Technical Association of the Paper and Pulp Industry (TAPPI) links the professional, business and industrial areas of the paper and pulp industry with NC State paper science and engineering students in the paper Science and Engineering program. The chapter sponsors annual events and trips; hosts recruiters and employer presentations; provides a forum for student, industry, technical and professional presentations; fosters leadership skill development; encourages interaction between paper science classes; and encourages its members to serve as ambassadors for the paper science and engineering program to the university and throughout the industry. Learn more on Facebook. Advisor: Med Byrd
• Xi Sigma Pi is the National Forestry Honor Society, which aims to recognize and promote academic excellence in forestry and related disciplines. Membership is by invitation and includes various majors in natural resources. Advisors: Robert Jetton and Gary Blank

Department Clubs and Organizations

• Forest Biomaterials Clubs and Associations
• Forestry and Environmental Resources Clubs and Associations
• Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management Clubs and Associations

Graduate Student Organizations

• The Forest Biomaterials Graduate Student Association  represents and supports the graduate student body in the Department of Forest Biomaterials at NC State. It provides a forum for graduate student opinion, engaging faculty and graduate students on matters of mutual interest and promoting professional development and fellowship among graduate students. Advisor: Ilona Peszlen
• The FER Graduate Student Association strives to improve the educational and social experiences of graduate students in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources. Advisor: Stephen Griffin
• The PRTM Graduate Student Association supports students in their studies and enhances their NC State graduate experience by promoting professional development, encouraging scholarly pursuits, and facilitating networking and social endeavors. The organization produces lifelong learners and leaders committed to developing parks, recreation, tourism and sport resources that improve global quality of life and are environmentally, socially and economically sustainable. Advisor: Bethany Cutts
• The NC State Chapter of the International Society of Tropical Foresters is a student-run nonprofit that works with the Office for International Programs in the College of Natural Resources to enhance the international perspective of forestry studies at NC State. The organization meets monthly to hear guest speakers and presentations focusing on current research topics. It also organizes annual events, such as conference attendance and a spring symposium. Membership is open to any person with an interest in international forestry and environmental issues. Advisors: Meredith Martin and Erin Sills
• The Geospatial Graduate Student Organization is a university-recognized community that supports all graduate students affiliated with the Center for Geospatial Analytics. The organization sponsors professional development activities, social events and service projects, including a partnership with Wake County’s Holiday Cheer program. Advisor: Eric Money.

Campus Opportunities

For more information about other extracurricular aspects of student life at NC State, check out the Student Organization Resource Center. The center provides information on more than 300 other student organizations. State and national organizations associated with specific environmental interest areas can also provide additional academic, career and social opportunities.