General Information
Overview of the Department
The NREM department emphasizes the science and management of natural resources and their links to environmental quality. We provide students with scientific knowledge of the physical, chemical, biological, economic, social, and policy elements of natural resources management. This allows them to understand the principles that underpin productive, sustainable land use, and enhanced environmental quality. Graduating students will be able to solve contemporary resource use problems and assist in sound decision making for optimizing land use and managing agricultural and forestry systems, watersheds, and landscapes in an ecologically sound manner. Graduates will also be skilled in addressing resource policy issues and the needs of diverse clientele and communities including policy makers and planners. Scientific objectivity will be emphasized as an important element of environmental planning. Thus, students will be trained in the use of quantitative models and such tools as decision aids for optimizing natural resource management and ecosystem stewardship.
Chair's Welcome Message
October 2009
Welcome to NREM.
This is my first message as the new Chair of the department, which I enthusiastically looking forward to serve. The previous Chair, Dr. Carl Evensen, has returned to his position as Extension Specialist. Under his excellent leadership, NREM has flourished. Carl's leadership has enhanced NREM's position of strength. Glimpses of his accomplishments are:
The department grew in numbers and broadened in scope. Three new tenure-track faculty were recruited: Dr. Chris Lepczyk (wildlife ecologist), Dr. Creighton Litton (forestry ecologist), and Dr. James Leary (plant invasive species specialist) respectively. Carl was also instrumental in bringing Dr. Susan Crow (soil biogeochemist) to NREM. Undergraduate and graduate enrollments grew and so did the number of grants obtained by NREM faculty.
Some additional accomplishments under his leadership:
- Successful NREM reviews by the University and CSREES
- A revised M.S. Plan B program
- Recruitment of 2 new staff: Lois Agena and Lawrence Chan
- Successful mentorship of all faculty that went for promotion and/or tenure and award of excellence
- Supported the expansion of international development projects in Iraq and Albania
- Established an excellent rapport with CTAHR Administration
As promised, the first major task to achieve as the incoming chair is to have a strategic planning retreat for the department. This event occurred on August 20, 2009 and has helped the department clarify it's mission, identify key thematic areas of engagement and future directions for our our programs instruction, research and extension. This exercise is very important for the department and will provide the roadmap for NREM to take in the near term.
I will end this message by extending a big mahalo to Carl Evensen and wish him the best in his next professional journey. At the same, my job will be enhanced as I am fortunate to be working closely with my colleague, Dr. Richard Bowen who is the Associate Chair.
Respectfully yours,
Cathy