About Us
Purdue’s Department of Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) is one of the leading natural resources programs in the nation. FNR is also Indiana’s only degree-granting, research and extension institution in the fields of forestry, wildlife ecology and aquatic sciences.
Connect With Us
Department of Forestry & Natural Resources
purduefnr@purdue.edu
715 Mitch Daniels Blvd.
West Lafayette, IN 47906
(765) 494-3590
Meet the Department
FNR’s 2021-26 Strategic Plan shares our vision and mission to be a world leader in natural resources sciences, as we educate and train undergraduate and graduate students to the highest standards, conduct ground-breaking research, engage and educate stakeholders through extension efforts, and create an inclusive culture that supports and respects all people.
Our world-class faculty in forestry, wildlife, fisheries & aquatic sciences, natural resources social science, and interdisciplinary ecology is helping solve some of the world’s most important natural resource problems. Our faculty, staff and students are conducting cutting-edge research advancing everything from the science of digital forestry to soundscape ecology, to the genetics of hardwood trees and rare wildlife species, to the conservation of threatened fish and wildlife species.
The expertise of our faculty and staff includes molecular biology, genetics, physiology, tissue culture, forest biology and measurements, fisheries and aquatic sciences, wildlife sciences, spatial ecology, remote sensing, use of big data, sensor technology, natural resource social science, quantitative ecology, and wood products. FNR faculty lead six research centers on campus that bring researchers and stakeholders together to solve specific natural resources problems.
We prepare our graduates for natural resource careers through course content and teaching techniques that reflect state-of-the-art knowledge and practices, as well as hands-on learning.
Our undergraduate students have the choice of three majors: Aquatic Sciences, Forestry, and Wildlife. FNR’s graduate program also offers Master of Science, Master of Science in Forestry and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in these focal areas.
On the West Lafayette campus, our administrative offices and forestry faculty are housed in Pfendler Hall (PFEN). The fisheries and aquatic sciences, wildlife, and natural resource social sciences faculty are located in the Forestry Building (FORS), while the wood products faculty are on the first floor of the Forest Products Building (FPRD). We have additional laboratories, classrooms, and offices in off-campus locations as well. FNR also owns and manages 4,173 acres of forest land distributed among 25 properties around the State of Indiana, which provide opportunities for research, extension and education.
We recently completed a concept plan and are raising funds for a New Forestry and Natural Resources Building that will allow us to recruit the very best students, capture new research and educational opportunities, and promote greater communication, innovation and synergy among students, faculty, and staff.
FNR operates within the Purdue College of Agriculture under the leadership of interim department head and professor Dr. Zhao Ma. The department includes 33 faculty members and 57 staff members, which fill teaching, research and extension roles.
Send your questions and comments about FNR enrollment to joinfnr@purdue.edu or general questions and comments to fnrweb@purdue.edu.
Discover Innovation & Success
FNR program is ranked #1 in the state of Indiana.
FNR ranks #5 in the Sportsmen Friendly Institutions in the U.S.
FNR is ranked #5 as the Best Colleges for Hunters & Anglers in the U.S.
FNR is ranked #8 in Best College with Fishing and Fisheries Sciences in the U.S.
FNR is ranked as #5 Most Popular College For Natural Resources & Conservation Degree in the U.S.
FNR is ranked #11 for Best Forestry College in the U.S.
Inside FNR
FNR is on the cutting edge of research involving everything from digital forestry to soundscape technology to the genetics of hardwood trees and rare wildlife species that have major environmental and economic impacts. Our faculty, staff and students conduct leading research that advances science and helps solve problems of regional, national and global significance associated with the protection, management, and sustainable use of forests, wildlife, fisheries and aquatic ecosystems. We aim to prepare our graduates through course content and teaching techniques that reflect state-of-the-art knowledge and practices, as well as hands-on learning.
Scholarships
- 1 in 4 Students Receive Scholarships
- $80,000+ in Student Scholarships
- Approximately 82 Scholarships Awarded Each Year
Purdue Research Centers Led by FNR Faculty
Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center, Director: Dr. Matt Ginzel
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant Program, Director: Dr. Tomas Höök
Tropical Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center, Director: Dr. Doug Jacobs
43RD USGS COOPERATIVE RESEARCH UNIT (CRU) LOCATED AT PURDUE Forestry & Natural Resources
Connect With Us
See student stories, photos and videos on Instagram (@Purdue FNR), Facebook (Purdue Forestry and Natural Resources), X platform (@PurdueFNR) and YouTube (Purdue FNR).
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