A department of diverse faculty & students dedicated to solving critical environmental challenges with cutting-edge research.

In the news

A close-up image of brown, drooping grass in the foreground with sparse green plants and small yellow flowers in the background.

Weather conditions make preparing for wildfire more important than ever

Extension’s Living With Fire Program urges Nevadans to take action now

Cactus pear plant.

University of Nevada, Reno research focuses on use of cactus pear in biofuel production

Spurred by climate change demands, three-year field trial identifies high-production varieties

President Sandoval dressed in a graduation gown stands behind a podium, delivering a speech. The presentation behind him reads "Spring 2024 Commencement."

College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources confers more than 200 degrees at commencement

College’s dual major Barbara Stankuté noted for her exemplary community service by President Sandoval

The Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Science offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs to educate, inspire and prepare the next generation of scientists. Department faculty are engaged in cutting-edge research in the following areas:

mecury sampling

Air

Topics of study include the characterization of pollutant emissions from combustion sources, the understanding of atmospheric photochemical processes and the quantification of human exposure to air pollution.

stream survey

Water

Topics of study include the use of remote sensing, field observations and modeling to address the most pressing questions in the fields of water quality, lake clarity, stream and creek ecosystems and mountain ecohydrology.

soil samples

Soils

Topics of study include soil hydrologic conditions, the evaluation of current and past environmental conditions and the characterization of physiochemical processes in the region’s soils.

plant survey

Plants

Regions of study include mountain meadows and sierra forest, riparian communities along creeks and streams and the vast open space of the Great Basin rangelands.

big hou=rn sheep

Wildlife

Topics of study include interactions between wildlife and land uses, avian ecology, forestry-wildlife relationships, endangered species management, reproductive ecology, nutrition and foraging ecology, predator-prey interactions and population dynamics.

CABNR Student Emergency Fund

Help provide students with critical support needed to continue their University education, despite facing unexpected challenges associated with COVID-19 or other emergencies.

To learn more about the fund