Research

Frontline Science

Scientists at the College of Natural Resources are in demand wherever human activity intersects with the natural world. Across the state, region and nation, we empower industries, government agencies and communities to overcome natural resources challenges and make smarter and more sustainable decisions that benefit everyone. In this 21st century, our work has never been more relevant—or more vital—as our planet is being rapidly transformed by environmental change, land use change, and competition for scarce resources.

Our traditional areas of research strength—such as paper science and engineering, forest management and conservation, and parks, recreation and tourism management—are complemented by multidisciplinary approaches to solving modern global challenges. No single discipline can surmount all challenges. The world is increasingly interdependent and requires creative, cross-disciplinary solutions that confront the complexity of the problems while respecting the communities at the frontline of change. As a nexus for widely varied fields and research applications, the College of Natural Resources is adept at collaborative, combinative research.

Interdisciplinary Innovation

NC State, too, is nationally recognized as a leader in interdisciplinary innovation. The Chancellor’s Faculty Excellence Program brings together the brightest minds from myriad disciplines, forming clusters of faculty to tackle problems of global significance. Scientists from the College of Natural Resources are key figures in many such clusters including Emerging Plant Diseases, Genetic Engineering and Society, Geospatial Analytics, Global Environmental Change, Global Water and Sanitation, and Leadership in Public Science. We are also key contributors to the new Data Science Academy and Genetics and Genomics Academy.

Research Resources

Centers and Cooperatives

Through cooperatives, consortia, centers and institutions, we collaborate to create solutions to real-world issues.

Our Forests and Facilities

Find out about the world-class facilities — both built and natural — available to our college.

Our Services

Lean how we extend our research capabilities to individuals, businesses and communities.

Research News

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October 13, 2025

What a Government Shutdown Means for National Parks

A government shutdown can limit park access and staff, threatening resources and local economies — highlighting the need for reliable funding to keep parks open and protected.

September 18, 2025

Mini-Pitches Create Healthier Communities by Offering Safe, Accessible Recreation Spaces

North Carolina State University researchers found that mini-pitches play a crucial role in increasing physical activity and community engagement among youth and families living in underserved communities.

September 03, 2025

How Hyper-detailed Cameras Will Make Recycling More Efficient

A new study uses advanced imaging technology to identify materials in municipal solid waste that can be separated for recycling or to produce energy.  The study made use of hyperspectral imaging, a method that uses powerful optical sensors which capture the light spectrum across every pixel in an image. By analyzing the ways that different…

July 31, 2025

Global Trade Tensions Threaten North Carolina’s Craft Brewing Industry, Expert Says

Heightened tariffs on imported aluminum and steel could have significant consequences for the industry, including decreased sales and revenue.

July 29, 2025

FIFA World Cup: Can It Leave Behind a Positive and Lasting Human Rights Legacy?

The international soccer tournament has been linked to a range of human rights violations, including migrant worker exploitation, restrictions on freedom of expression, and much more.

July 25, 2025

Building a high rise out of wood? Cross-laminated timber could make it possible

A new study finds that adopting cross-laminated timber as a primary construction material could have significant environmental benefits, from carbon storage to global reforestation and increased forest cover. Cross-laminated timber (CLT) is created by stacking multiple layers of timber and then adhering the layers together. This results in strong, light wooden panels up to 60…

McIntire-Stennis Program

The McIntire-Stennis program, a unique federal-state partnership, cultivates and delivers forestry and natural resource innovations for a better future. By advancing research and education that increases the understanding of emerging challenges and fosters the development of relevant solutions, the McIntire-Stennis program has ensured healthy resilient forests and communities and an exceptional natural resources workforce since 1962.

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