Faculty in the College of Natural Resources are advancing innovation through cutting-edge research that addresses critical environmental and natural resources challenges.

Each month, faculty secure funding from federal and state agencies as well as nongovernmental organizations, supporting initiatives in ecological restoration, biodiversity conservation and more.

This report highlights the grants awarded in March 2026, showcasing projects that advance scientific understanding and deliver real-world solutions.

Click on the projects listed below to learn more:

• Improving End-of-Life Management of Plastic Mulch in Strawberry Systems
• Southern Forest Sector Outlook Under Changing Market Dynamics and Risks

Improving End-of-Life Management of Plastic Mulch in Strawberry Systems

• PI: Hui Li, Department of Forest Biomaterials
• Direct Sponsor Name: U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Awarded Amount: $192,604

Abstract: North Carolina State University will lead the pyrolysis of mulch film under group 2 of the USDA’s Specialty Crop Research Initiative project: mulch film recycling. By closely collaborating with PDO Technologies and Washington State University’s Composite Materials and Engineering Center, Li and other collaborators will conduct research on using mulch film from four sites across the states of Washington, California, Nebraska and Florida to generate pyrolysis oil under various conditions. The mulch films and their pyrolysis oil products will be thermally and chemically characterized. The outcome will be disseminated through an annual project meeting and peer-reviewed publications.

Southern Forest Sector Outlook Under Changing Market Dynamics and Risks

• PI: Rajan Parajuli, Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources
• Direct Sponsor Name: U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Awarded Amount: $131,618

Abstract: The wood product industry of the southern United States is facing changes rapidly. Record high lumber prices dominated headlines across the country. Meanwhile, the pulp and paper industry is shifting away from traditional formats like printing and writing paper and newsprint and moving towards containerboard and packaging solutions. Market pulp prices are also at record highs and there is a surge in global consolidations, mergers and acquisition activity. At the same time, stronger hurricanes due to climate change are becoming a bigger concern, making it important to consider hurricane risks in timber supply predictions. With evolving demand trends, new competition and the constant risk of hurricanes, forest industry stakeholders are facing important questions about the future and sustainable supply of timber resources. We will specifically examine the long-term southern forest market outlook under various shared socioeconomic pathways of market dynamics incorporating rising risks from extreme weather events.