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