The Department of Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) is one of 11 academic departments organizationally located in the College of Agriculture. We currently have 30 faculty, 34 administrative/professional staff, and 16 support staff (clerical, service, and technicians).
FNR offers two undergraduate degrees – a bachelor of Science (B.S) and a bachelor of science in forestry (B.S.F). Five majors are offered. Four lead to the B.S – Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Natural Resources Policy and Decision Making, Wildlife, Wood Products Manufacturing Technology. One leads to the B.S.F – Forestry. Five minors also are offered by the Department – Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Wildlife, Furniture Design and Urban Forestry. Current undergraduate enrollment is 257 students.
The FNR graduate program offers Master of Science, Master of Science in Forestry, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in fisheries and aquatic sciences, forest biology, genetics, natural resource social science, quantitative resources analysis, wildlife science, and wood science and technology. The department has expanded its graduate program, exceeding each of the past 3 years the target of 72 students stated in the strategic plan. Most of this growth is attributable to increases in Ph.D. enrollment. Departmental assistantships and stipends are available for both M.S. and Ph.D. students. The department expends approximately $600,000 each year on graduate stipend support.
The department has close ties with the USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station via the Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center (HTIRC). HTIRC is a collaborative regional research, development and technology transfer effort among industry, university, private, state, and federal entities whose mission is to develop genetic, molecular, and tissue culture technologies and forest, nursery, and pest management guidelines for improvement of central hardwood forest productivity. The partnership includes the department, the USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station, National Seed Laboratory, Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry, Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry, Indiana Hardwood Lumbermen’s Association, National Hardwood Lumber Association, Arbor America Ind, Steelcase, Walnut Council and the Fred M. van Eck Forest Foundation. Located on Purdue’s West Lafayette campus in Pfendler Hall, HTIRC consists of seven principal investigators (three USDA Forest Service scientists and four departmental faculty) as well as the director of the National Seed Laboratory. Forest Service scientists have adjunct faculty status in FNR and advise graduate students.
Recent additions to the faculty and shifts in programs of existing faculty have resulted in a noticeable change in areas of specialization. The department maintains strong disciplinary research programs in forestry, fisheries, and wildlife, with an emphasis on applied ecology. Additional capacity now exists in molecular biology, including genetics physiology and tissue culture. Quantitative modeling capacity has been enhanced. Capacity in human dimensions of natural resources planning and policy also has grown. The interdisciplinary capabilities and interests of faculty in the department are much greater than 5-10 years ago, which is reflected in the department’s Areas of Excellence.
The department occupies three buildings on the West Lafayette campus: Pfendler Hall of Agriculture, the Forestry Building, and the first floor of the Forest Products Building. It has additional laboratories, classroom, and offices in other buildings off campus, most notably the John S. Wright Forestry Center and the newly reconstructed Aquaculture Research Facility. Renovation of Pfendler Hall and construction of the Wright Center, both completed in 2004, were made possible by earnings from the John S. Wright Fund, a large departmental endowment. The Department has 25 properties totaling 4,173 forested acres distributed around the state.
Learn more
A Brief History of the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources
Mission and Goals of the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources
Organizational Chart of the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources (doc)
Location of Departmental Properties in Indiana
