A History of the Department

Natural Resources' teaching, research, and outreach have a long history at the University of New Hampshire. Even before the first formal forestry programs began in 1911, forestry and soils courses were part of the New Hampshire College of Agriculture's curriculum. The Wildlife and Forestry programs have been linked for decades and they, together with Soils, Hydrology, and Resource Economics, were merged to form the Institute of Natural and Environmental Resources (INER) in the very early 1970s. The faculty within the newly formed INER launched the Environmental Conservation program in response to growing interest in conservation and the environment.

In 1983, in response to perceived threats to the professional accreditation of the forestry program, INER was dissolved. The hydrology program became part of the Department of Earth Sciences, Resource Economics and Community Development became its own department, while the Forestry, Soils, Wildlife, and Environmental Conservation programs emerged as the Department of Forest Resources. The Water Resources Management degree program was added in 1988. Recognizing that the interests and expertise of the students and faculty had broadened beyond forests, the Department was renamed the Department of Natural Resources in 1989. We have since combined the Soil Science and Water Resources Management programs, along with the Hydrology program from Earth Sciences, to create the Environmental Sciences undergraduate degree program.

DNR Presently

Today, the Department of Natural Resources offers undergraduate programs at the Bachelor's level in Environmental Conservation Studies, Environmental Sciences, Forestry (B.S.F.), and Wildlife Ecology. At the graduate level, we offer an M.S. degree in Natural Resources with options in Environmental Conservation, Forestry, Soil Science, Water Resources, Wildlife, and General Natural Resources. As well, a doctoral program in Natural Resources and Earth System Science is technically administered by the Graduate School, but most of the students enrolled in that program are advised by DNR faculty and consider DNR their academic home.

Who Is Interested in Natural Resources?

Our study body includes those interested in biology, environmental science, resource management, conservation, sustainable living, and ecosystems. We do attract many nontraditional students and students who change majors, as well as high school seniors.

Our Faculty

Our faculty, representing a wide range of disciplines and interests, are committed to an interdisciplinary approach to natural resources education. They have successfully obtained grants in support of their research from many sources, including the Environmental Protection Agency, NASA, National Science Foundation, N.H. Fish and Game, U.S. Department of Agriculture, state agencies, private corporations, and many others. Faculty and their graduate students participate in regional, national, and international professional meetings and have published extensively in national and international journals.

Our Commitment

The programs of the Department of Natural Resources are central to the land, sea and space grant missions of the University of New Hampshire. We are committed to teaching, have an active scholarly community, and provide outreach to the community, region, and world. We intend to maintain and enhance our activities related to ecosystem assessment, conservation biology, and sustainable living.

The University & Campus

A land-grant college of approximately 13,000 students, the University of New Hampshire is ideally situated, in terms of ecology, economics, sociology, and politics, for the study of natural resources. New Hampshire is a predominantly forested, rural state with mountains, lakes, a seacoast and estuarine system, and a four-seasons climate. This location--which incorporates a diverse environment, development pressure from Boston, a range of political viewpoints, and a mixture of private, state, and federal land ownership--provides students with a unique educational opportunity.

The home of UNH is Durham - one of the oldest towns in northern New England. The town is semi-rural and still retains traces of its colonial past in both its architecture and small-town atmosphere. Durham is an ideal place to live while completing your degree. Campus life includes a wide range of musical, theatrical, sporting, and social events. Boston is a quick 65 miles to the south; outdoor enthusiasts will find abundant skiing, hiking, and scenery in the White Mountains 60 miles to the north; and the sandy beaches and rocky coast of New Hampshire and Maine 10 miles east. The University is sited on a 200-acre campus, surrounded by rolling fields, farms and woodlands. The 15-acre tract, known as the Ravine, graces the center of the campus and provides members of the university community with some natural quiet amid the residential, classroom, research, and service buildings of the campus