UMass Extension Programs

Natural Resources & Environmental Conservation

Take me to the NREC website.

Scott Jackson, Program Director

The mission of the Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation (NREC) program is to provide educational programs and materials that enable people to make informed decisions and take action to preserve or enhance the quality, productivity and sustainability of natural resources and natural systems.

The goals of the NREC program are to:

Strengthen the capacity within communities to identify and effectively address natural resource issues through education, training and technical assistance
Provide a mechanism for information exchange between the research community and those engaged in conservation
Provide comprehensive continuing education and training programs for local officials, natural resource professionals and educators
Facilitate communication and partnerships among various individuals, groups, and agencies engaged in conservation and environmental education

The public with which NREC strives to be involved includes: local officials (planning boards, conservation commissions and boards of health); natural resource professionals; educators; conservation organizations, natural resource-based businesses (timber harvesting, marine aquaculture); community opinion leaders; and state and federal agencies involved in conservation and environmental education.

The issues which form the basis of research and education within the program include:

Watershed planning and management
Wetlands and water resources protection
Fish, wildlife and biodiversity conservation
Forest stewardship
Marine aqua-culture
Environmental education
Land use planning and management

University Affiliations:

College of Natural Resources and the Environment