Empower people to explore and sustain their world.
Re-imagine learning and discovery to benefit people and the natural world.
Integrity | Impact |Diversity | Innovation | Sustainability | Well-being
Who Are We?
For over 90 years, the Human Dimensions of Natural Resources (HDNR) program has been at the forefront of understanding how people, societies, and cultures interact with and value the natural world. We combine rigorous research with exceptional education to develop the next generation of conservation leaders and sustainable tourism professionals.
Our pioneering work in parks and protected areas has shaped conservation policy and practice across the globe. Through innovative research and evidence-based solutions, we help decision-makers better understand and address the complex relationships between human communities and natural systems. As one of the few programs nationwide offering comprehensive degrees from bachelor’s to doctoral level, we provide students with unparalleled opportunities to advance conservation that works for both people and nature.
Research Emphases
Complex environmental challenges—from climate change and biodiversity loss to food security and water scarcity—are reshaping human relationships with the natural world and threatening both livelihoods and ecological sustainability. These interconnected issues demand investigation across multiple scales and disciplines, integrating insights from individual behavior to cultural systems.
The Department of Human Dimensions of Natural Resources bridges these perspectives, bringing together diverse social science approaches to tackle conservation’s most pressing challenges. By examining how individuals, communities, organizations, and societies interact with natural systems, we develop innovative solutions that support both human wellbeing and environmental stewardship. Our research directly informs evidence-based conservation decisions, helping ensure the sustainable management of natural resources and the vital services they provide.
Interesting Facts
HDNR:
- Created the Conservation Leadership Through Learning program which was awarded the Western Association of Graduate Schools Award for Excellence and Innovation in Graduate Education.
- Houses the Center for Protected Area Management which provides technical assistance, training, and research opportunities for protected area managers and students for more than 50 years in over 40 countries across the globe.
- Founded and maintains the international journal, Human Dimensions of Wildlife.
- Provides leadership in the area of human dimensions of wildlife management with a $1.5 million research program which serves a variety of federal and state agencies.
- Founded the 212-acre Environmental Learning Center in Fort Collins which provides opportunities for faculty and students to conduct fieldwork, experiential education, and research and serves more than 5,000 people annually.
Follow Us!