Welcome to the School of Forest Resources & Conservation (SFRC). Since 1937, the SFRC has been developing new knowledge and educating citizens about the management and conservation of forest resources. In 2004, Geomatics joined the SFRC specializing in modern geospatial sciences such as surveying, mapping, remote sensing, satellite imagery, GIS and GPS. In 2008 Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences joined the SFRC with programs emphasizing sustainable fisheries, aquaculture and aquatic ecology and health.

The SFRC is part of the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences with four missions: undergraduate education, graduate education, research and extension. These four missions provide: (1) a rich personal educational experience for students; (2) new discoveries and applications that enrich lives, communities and natural resources; and (3) life-long learning opportunities for professionals, policy makers, landowners, youth and the general public.

Undergraduate Programs
 
The SFRC offers three undergraduate majors which lead to exciting, well-paid careers that provide the opportunity to work both indoors and out of doors, to work with cutting edge technologies and to make a difference in the world we live in.

Demand is high for our graduates with more than 90% of students obtaining jobs in their profession within one year of graduation. Our 3,000 alumni work in all parts of Florida and throughout the world as resource managers, conservationists, policy makers, mappers, scientists, surveyors and more.

First, as the only professional program in Florida with options accredited by the Society of American Foresters, we offer the bachelor’s degree in Forest Resources and Conservation (FRC). Graduates with this degree work for government agencies, private industry and consulting firms that guide management and conservation of production forests, conserved forests, urban forests and agroforests.

Second, the Geomatics major deals with the measurement of earth-based data that are gathered using tools such as satellites, air and sea borne sensors, and ground based instruments like surveying and GPS devices.  Graduates work as surveyors, mappers, and in many other high tech fields. The Geomatics major at UF is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) and is the only program of its kind in the state.

In the Natural Resource Conservation major, students work with a flexible curriculum and a faculty advisor to develop a unique course schedule tailored to their specific interests and career goals in natural resources. Students can emphasize forests, wildlife, fisheries, global conservation, environmental education and more.

The SFRC also offers two minors, Forest Resources and Conservation and Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences which allow students in other majors to augment their studies to include natural resources.

Graduate Programs and Research

Graduate programs in the SFRC lead to both masters and PhD degrees in many specializations related to natural resources. Graduate students who conduct research as part of their degree work directly with a faculty advisor to conceive, implement, analyze and interpret an advanced investigation in forest, natural resources, geospacial sciences or fisheries and aquatic sciences. Whether working in a laboratory, forest or aquatic setting, students hone their skills to become tomorrow’s scientists, resource managers and policy makers.
 
Extension
 
The SFRC’s extension, outreach and continuing education programs provide information about forest resources, environmental education, geospatial sciences and fisheries and aquatic sciences to educators, youth, policy makers, land managers, landowners and citizens to enable them to make informed decisions.

Summary

Forests cover one third of the world’s land area and half of Florida. They impact the lives of all people through the products and services they provide. Florida’s forests support a $16 billion industry, larger than any single agricultural crop. In addition, these forests provide non-timber products, clean water, wildlife habitat, carbon sequestration, climate stabilization, recreation, hunting, fishing, tourism, biodiversity, medicinals and aesthetic beauty.  The demand for these goods and services is increasing every year; yet, the forested land to meet these needs is decreasing.

Similarly, our marine and freshwater resources are critical for their economic values, recreational opportunities, biodiversity and ecological services.  One third of the world's population depends on fish protein in their diet every day and yet the world's fisheries are being challenged from overfishing.  Further the world’s waters are being impacted by human influences such as pollution, nutirent discharge and climate change.

Now more than ever before, we need well-educated scientists, educators, resource managers, conservationists, land owners and citizens to address these issues and help ensure the sustainable use of our natural resources. We urge you to explore this website for the information you need, or to contact us directly about the SFRC and its programs.

Sincerely,

Tim White
Professor and Director