About

 

Knowing how, when, and where to make investments that will restore healthy watersheds, conserve Oregon’s natural heritage, adapt to changing conditions, and facilitate sustained community and economic health and development is a challenging endeavor. Part of meeting that challenge depends on having and using relevant information to guide planning and management. Part depends on applying technology and information to improve productivity, efficiency, use, and long-term maintenance of our natural resources. And part depends on having policies that encourage people to make choices that balance the environment, economy, and society.

The Institute for Natural Resources (INR) was established in 2001 through the Oregon Legislature (ORS 352.808) to fulfill several legislative purposes that provide ready access to relevant science-based data, tools, and information for natural resource and environmental decision making.

INR works to advance centralized, science-based natural resource information for Oregon and the Pacific Northwest.

 

Vision

To be “Oregon’s place” – a neutral venue where anyone can ask questions, propose studies, and learn about natural resources and environmental conditions throughout Oregon.

Mission

To provide reliable, objective, relevant, and science-based integrated natural resource knowledge to facilitate long-term stewardship of Oregon’s environments and natural resources.

By knowledge we mean the synthesis of expertise, research findings, data, tools & information.

What we do

  • Data and information integration and access
  • Technical assistance and analysis 
  • Science review and advisory services
  • Research and research coordination
  • Training and capacity building

 

INR merged with the OSU Institute for Water and Watersheds (IWW) to expand the focus on water-related issues. IWW is the state water resources research institute for Oregon and is one of the 54 state- or territory-based institutes established by the 1964 Federal Water Resources Research Act. In this role IWW serves similar integrative functions to INR, but focused on water resources research and education. Paired with INR’s data and information management and accessibility functions, the merger of INR and IWW expands our ability to address multi-agency and multi-disciplinary resource issues. Through the merger, INR and IWW share an advisory board, staff, and continue to carry out our related mission of informing natural resources decision making. INR and IWW adopted a joint strategic plan in June 2018.

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Advisory Board

INR and the Institute for Water and Watersheds (IWW) share an advisory board. The INR-IWW advisory board is comprised of members representing Oregon's public universities; federal, state and local government; private industry; and non-governmental organizations. The board is instrumental in helping to develop our mission and strategic plan, and in contributing to the identification of our key focus areas.

Advisory Board Members

Staci Simonich, Associate Dean, College of Agricultural Sciences (OSU)

Faye Chadwell, Don and Delpha Campbell University Librarian and OSU Press Director (OSU)

Dar Crammond, Director, USGS Oregon Water Science Center

Anthony Davis, College of Forestry (OSU)

Jackie Dingfelder, Hatfield School of Government (PSU)

Steve Emery, CEO, Earth2o

Derek Godwin, OSU Extension Watershed Management, Biological and Ecological Engineering

Meta Loftsgaarden, Executive Director, Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board

Cathy Macdonald, Director of Policy and External Affairs, The Nature Conservancy

Jason Miner, Oregon Governor’s Natural Resource Policy Director

Cass Moseley, Senior Associate Vice President for Research and Innovation

Scott Reed, Vice Provost for Outreach and Engagement (OSU)

Todd Rosenstiel, Associate Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Science (PSU)

Cy Smith, Director of the Oregon Department of Administrative Services Geospatial Enterprise Office

Mike Wilson, Natural Resources Division Director, Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde

 
Technical Committees

Technical committees are being formed for land, water, and data sharing.

 

 

Engagement

Our Community

 
Oregon’s natural resource agencies, policy makers, natural resource stewards, scientists, educators, students, and residents.

 

The Institute for Natural Resources and the Institute for Water and Watersheds (INR-IWW) are engaged in a number of multi-agency and multi-institutional efforts.

 
State
  • Governor’s Natural Resources Cabinet
  • Oregon Geographic Information Council
  • Science Management Team
  • Integrated Water Resources Strategy
  • Climate Change Adaptation Framework
  • Department of Land Conservation and Development IMMI
  • STREAM TEAM
  • Sage Grouse Conservation Project (SageCon)
  • Oregon Coast and Marine Data Network (OCMDN)
  • Willamette Aquatic Invasives Network (WAIN) 
 
Federal and Regional
  • Pacific Northwest Cooperative Ecosystems Study Unit
  • Colorado Plateau Cooperative Ecosystems Study Unit
  • U.S. Geological Survey External Research
  • U.S. Geological Survey State Water Resources Research Institute Program
  • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Institute for Water Resources
  • Western Landowners Alliance
  • Integrated Data Management Network
  • Western Invasives Network (WIN) 
 
National
  • National Council for Science and the Environment
  • National Natural Heritage Program Network
  • National Institutes for Water Resources
  • Consortium of Universities for the Advancement of Hydrologic Science (CUAHSI)
  • DataONE
  • USGS Protected Areas - US
  • National Park Service Vegetation Inventory 
  • National Ecosystem Services Partnership
 
International
  • Collaboration for Environmental Evidence
  • iMapInvasives