No matter where we’re from, we all need three items to survive and thrive. Shelter. Food. Water. Forests and rangelands across the world are the foundation for these key building blocks of life.
Ever since the first forestry course was offered in 1904, our scholarly community has understood the give-and-take that exists between our natural and human spheres. Our groundwork reveals how these extensive lands function and interact with society’s actions.
Our department is building a community of people entrusted with sustaining forests and rangelands amidst the increasing demands of multiple uses for these areas. As stewards of these places, our efforts protect public health, help mitigate natural disasters in the face of climate change and balance resource needs for growing populations. We want to ensure these resources will be available for generations to come.
Our Mission:
To cultivate a community of natural resource stewards.
Forests
Rangelands
Natural Resources
Restoration
Fire
Economics and Policy
Forests
Large areas primarily covered with trees and undergrowth.
Rangelands
Vast, open country with native vegetation that includes grasses, plants and shrubs.

Natural Resources
Naturally existing materials or substances such as minerals, forests, water and fertile land that can be used for economic purposes.
Stewardship
Responsible attention to and management of natural resources entrusted to your care.
A Community of Stewards
Giving back more than we take.
Food.
Foundation
Access
Space
Water.
Free
Pure
Wild
Home.
Niche
Community
Haven
Work.
Motivation
Knowledge
Expertise
Play.
Connection
Beauty
Well-being
A Land Grant University
We believe everyone can participate in our nation’s economic and social progress and we’re doing our part.
Teaching
We've been there.
Our esteemed faculty and instructors know the vital knowledge, skills and abilities you need as stewards in an ever-changing world.
Research
Shaping what we know.
We embrace our mandate to discover the inner workings of forests and rangelands.
Extension and Outreach
Guiding principles.
Exchanging insight with other local and international natural resource stewards ensures we grow together.
Service
The heart of it.
We need our natural resources more than ever and we want to ensure everyone can access the ecosystem services they offer.
Inclusion
In this together.
Sustaining the future of forests and rangelands around the world needs the individual and collective efforts of people from all personal and professional backgrounds.