Strategic plan (2021-2026)

OUR VISION: 

The Department of Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) will be a world leader in natural resources sciences and stewardship, as evidenced by excellence in:

• Educating and training undergraduate and graduate students to the highest standards
• Conducting leading research that advances science and helps solve problems of regional, national and global significance
• Engaging and educating stakeholders through Extension programs and outreach efforts
• Integrating teaching, research and Extension missions
• Creating a culture that supports and respects all people

OUR MISSION: 

The Department of Forestry and Natural Resources will partner with federal, state and private organizations to develop and disseminate knowledge in natural resources sciences associated with the protection, management and sustainable use of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems; the fish, wildlife, water and timber resources they produce; and the ecological, recreational, aesthetic, social and cultural benefits they provide.

The Department of Forestry and Natural Resources is led by its core values and culture. This includes the following commitments and aspirations: 

• Our values and culture guide all of our interactions, at home and around the world.
• We create an environment that nurtures the academic and professional career development of all faculty, staff and students.
• We expect our work to be done ethically, honestly and with integrity.
• We design our work to benefit the environment, education and society
• We promote mutual respect for all in all that we do.

Our Goals:

1. TEACHING AND LEARNING
   OBJECTIVE: Ensure that Purdue is globally recognized as a preferred source of natural resources graduates who are well prepared to lead, rise to challenges and make a positive impact throughout their career.

INITIATIVES

• Increase recruitment and retention of well-qualified students.
• Emphasize development, recognition and support of faculty and staff in teaching and learning as it relates to the student experience.
• Prioritize efforts for global impacts by proactively and strategically deepening collaborations with existing partners and establishing new partnerships.
• Develop, promote and support a culture of continuous innovation to ensure that course content and teaching techniques reflect state-of-the-art knowledge and practices.
• Involve undergraduate students in research and Extension throughout their academic program.
• Facilitate opportunities for graduate students and postdoctoral associates to gain experience in all departmental mission areas. Ensure that graduate students are prepared for a wide array of career paths both within and beyond the university.

2. RESEARCH
OBJECTIVE: Create and support a community of engaged, productive and collaborative scholars who are world leaders in their respective disciplines, advance the frontiers of natural resources sciences and address society’s most pressing challenges and opportunities through creative and high-impact disciplinary, cross-disciplinary and interdisciplinary research.

INITIATIVES

• Elevate basic and applied research to address global challenges and leverage strategic alliances with key stakeholders.
• Enhance research capacity by building and improving infrastructure to foster cutting-edge research in collaborative spaces that facilitate interactions within and among disciplines.
• Invest in the future of natural resources sciences through holistic undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral education and training programs that prepare trainees to become successful leaders.

3. ENGAGEMENT
OBJECTIVE: Be recognized as the premier institution engaging stakeholders in Indiana and beyond by identifying and addressing priority issues to enhance their quality of life and the environment through research-based education in natural resources.

INITIATIVES

• Create innovative, multi-disciplinary, inclusive and impactful educational programming to address contemporary natural resources and associated social and economic issues relevant to Indiana and beyond.
• Enhance existing multi-partner and multi-state collaborations, while exploring novel partnerships that promote collaboration among common missions and increase program reach and impact.
• Develop new signature programs that capture departmental Extension and engagement efforts and link to initiatives within the College of Agriculture.
• Enhance Extension efforts within the department