About Us

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.

Strategic Plan Our World-Class Faculty HistoryContact Us

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.

Inside FNR

Scholarships

• 1 in 4 Students Receive Scholarships
• $80,000+ in Student Scholarships
• Approximately 82 Scholarships Awarded Each Year

Highlights

• FNR Awards
• 22+ Career Paths
• 3 Field Practicums
• Majors & Minors

Research

• 17 Educational labs
• 25 Research Property Locations
• 4,173 Acres of Forest Land
  
  

Purdue Research Centers Led by FNR Faculty