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

In the news

A black bear standing on a rock under the shade of pine trees.

How do bears select spots for winter dens? New research provides answers

Team led by University of Nevada, Reno finds safety is key as black bears prepare to hibernate

Tracy Shane headshot.

New Extension livestock specialist to drive research advancements in Nevada’s ranching industry

Tracy Shane brings extensive professional and academic experience to her new role

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

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