The Impacts of 100 Years

THE IMPACTS
Today’s College of Natural Resources grew from a diverse lineage that created lasting legacies. Dean Dwight Jeffers led the college from 1935 to 1953, during which the Forest, Wildlife and Range Experiment Station, the Idaho Forester magazine and the fisheries and wildlife programs were initiated.
 
For many alumni, “Summer Camp,” developed in 1937, was a highlight of their educational experience. Students traveled to McCall for four weeks in the summer to study field ecology, forest mensuration, forest economics, and general forestry.

Many outstanding graduates from CNR have shaped policy and resource management worldwide. A sampling includes:

• Philip Habib (deceased - B.S. forestry ’42), U.S. diplomat who earned the Presidential Medal of Freedom
• James Risch (B.S. forestry ’65) U.S. senator
• Dale N. Bosworth (B.S. forestry ’66), Chief of the U.S. Forest Service from 2001 to 2007
• Hemin Zhang (M.S. forestry ’89), Founder of the Giant Panda Reserve in Wolong, China
• John Hunt (B.S. forestry ’59; M.F. ’61), first Distinguished University Professor of Travel and Tourism at the University of Massachusetts
• Gerald Thomas (B.S. Range Mgt. ’41), President of New Mexico State University from 1970-1984
• John Seidensticker (Ph.D. Wildlife ’73), Curator, Smithsonian Institute
• J.R. (Bob) Stilllinger (B.S. Wood Util. ’44), Global Products Industry
• W. E. J. Paradice (Ph.D. Wild. Rec. ’81), Member of the Order of Australia for leadership in conservation
  

THE LEGACY
The forestry program began in 1909 at the University of Idaho. Charles Shattuck served as the first forestry professor, and the department offered just three classes. Forestry education quickly grew, resulting in the formation of the School of Forestry in 1917 and the College of Forestry in 1953.

As the college grew in breadth, its name changed to the College of Forestry, Wildlife and Range Sciences in 1963. Today, the expanded needs of society and the greater purpose of the college are represented by the diverse programs of the College of Natural Resources, so named in 2000.

THE VISION
Today’s forest resources programs provide students with both an interdisciplinary education and an opportunity to emphasize areas of individual interest such as:

• Ecology
• Forest ecosystem processes
• Geospatial sciences
• Water resources
• Policy and planning
• Conservation genetics
• Silviculture
• Wildland restoration
• Fire management
• Aquaculture
• Forest operations
• Parks and protected area management
• Biomaterials
• Wildlife ecology
• Integrated Rangeland Management