The S. J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources works to better understand natural ecosystems in Utah and beyond, and to foster sustainable use of these resources. The College traverses biological, physical, and socioeconomic boundaries to advance scientific knowledge, train future leaders, and translate new research into on-the-ground management.

We are nationally and internationally recognized for our research, extension, and teaching on natural and socio-environmental systems, and are a high-impact college at Utah State University more than 55 tenure-track faculty in three departments and close partnerships with federal and state natural resource agencies. Work in QCNR traverses biological, physical, and social systems to advance scientific knowledge, train future leaders, and translate research into on-the-ground management and policy.

The Department of Environment and Society uses social and interdisciplinary science to understand human-environment interactions at a range of spatial scales; the Department of Watershed Sciences studies aquatic ecosystems and the watersheds that feed them; and the Department of Wildland Resources is focused on applied terrestrial ecology, including the ecology and management of wildlife, forests, rangelands, and conservation biology.

Extension and outreach are a major focus for QCNR faculty and staff, and the college is home to pioneering groups including the Ecology Center, which houses the Climate Adaptation Science program; the Institute of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism; the Center for Colorado River Studies; the National Aquatic Monitoring Center; the Remote Sensing/Geographic Information Systems Laboratory; the USU Dendrochronology Laboratory; the Berryman Institute; the T.W. Daniel Experimental Forest; and more.

Faculty achieve excellence in research and graduate education through a diverse suite of funding, including from the National Science Foundation, Department of the Interior, state agencies, and private donations. QCNR offers 10 undergraduate and 16 graduate degree options, and two continuing education certificates, and has more than 500 undergraduate and 240 graduate students enrolled. With a strong emphasis on student learning and engagement, the college has robust programs in undergraduate research, internship opportunities, and opportunities for community-engaged learning. QCNR has a reputation, not just for high-impact research and teaching, but for an exceptionally collaborative, amicable, and collegial community.

We deeply believe in the work we do, and we take a leadership role in fostering a more sustainable world.

Mission Statement

The S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources at USU:

• Promotes scholarship and creativity in discovery, synthesis, and transfer of knowledge for the mutual sustainability of ecosystems and human communities in Utah, our country, and the world.
• Encourages critical thinking and collaborative problem solving through debate and constructive criticism while ensuring open exchange and respect for the values and opinions of others.
• Engages a high-quality, diverse and creative faculty, staff and student community, who collectively integrate the biological, physical and social sciences, and who constantly expand their knowledge and skills.
• Educates natural resource and environmental professional and others interested in healthy ecosystems and their value for future generations