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Background
The wise use of natural resources has been and continues to be a major social issue. As a land-grant university with responsibilities for the effective use and conservation of natural resources, Auburn University has periodically considered the appropriate structure for the University to respond to these requirements.
In 2004, Auburn University President Ed Richardson appointed a commission whose members represented the agriculture, forestry, wildlife, and university communities, to examine issues related to Alabama’s agriculture and natural resources. The recommendations developed by that 29-member commission and through feedback from other internal and external stakeholders were to:
- Establish an institute of natural resources at Auburn University
- Transfer programs and day-to-day operations for Agriculture, Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, and Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station to the Institute
- Consolidate administrative functions
- Obtain external assistance to appropriately name the institute and its reporting units
- Transform Research and Extension Centers into multipurpose off-campus centers
- Analyze potential self-funding strategies
- Establish an advisory board for the institute