Mission and Vision | College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science

Mission and Vision

We foster excellence in forestry and ecological science.

Vision

To be a global leader in the development and communication of science and technology related to the understanding, stewardship, and conservation of natural systems, of which humans are an integral part.

Mission

Given our changing world, we work to address the challenges in natural resource sustainability through education and training, novel research, innovation, and outreach.

Goals

We accomplish our mission by engaging with people, leading vibrant programs, and caring for the places we work and conduct research. We lead into the future by focusing on our students, their creativity, and the challenges and opportunities that they inherit.

Old houses at the Ford Center with a purple sunset sky. — Students continually explore, investigate, and manage the natural resources surrounding us on Upper Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula. One of the most memorable School experiences is "camp," a semester-long field practicum at the Ford Center, our live-in education and research facility located in our research forest 40 miles south of campus.

Accreditation

Michigan Tech College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science is the largest forestry program in Michigan accredited by the Society of American Foresters. SAF, the national scientific and educational organization representing the forestry profession, is responsible for the accrediting postsecondary degree-granting forestry programs.

Accreditation is a voluntary, non-governmental, peer-review process that assures educational quality standards set by the profession are met by a postsecondary degree-granting program of study. Graduation from an accredited program signifies adequate preparation for entry into the profession.

Several people cross country skiing on a trail in the woods. — Selective timber harvesting, trail-blazing, and maintenance—forestry and environmental science students help manage and maintain the Tech Trails, the University's recreational forest adjacent to campus that includes one of the nation's premier Nordic ski courses. They also put concepts into practice in the fields, forests, and waters of nearby communities.

1885—Michigan Tech is founded.
1936—Department of Forestry is founded; original two faculty members: U.J. Noblet and Bob Miller.
1940—Twelve students in the School's first graduating class.
1947—Institute of Wood Research established.
1967—The School moves into the Forest Resources and Environmental Science Building. The master's program debuts.
1987—A doctoral program is offered.
1994—The FRES building is renamed U. J. Noblet School of Forestry and Wood Products Building.
1999—A BS in Applied Ecology and Environmental Sciences is offered.
2002—Building expansion project completed. School of Forestry and Wood Products is renamed School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science.
2004—BS in Wildlife Ecology and Management degree introduced.
2016—BS in Natural Resources Management degree offered.
2019- School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science becomes the College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science
2021- BS in Sustainable Bioproducts degree is offered
2022- BS in Environmental Science and Sustainability degree is offered