From the roots of forestry education planted a century ago, to the growing reach of water science, geography, and citizen-led conservation, these anniversaries mark decades of dedication to people and the planet.

Explore each milestone to see how CNRE’s work continues to shape communities, guide decision-making, and prepare the next generation of environmental leaders.

The number 100 with soft and hardwood trees set in the zeros, the years 1925 to 2025 in a banner

A century of forestry education

Virginia Tech’s College of Natural Resources and Environment celebrates 100 years of forestry education, tracing its roots from a single course to national prominence.

To mark 100 years of forestry education, Virginia Tech’s College of Natural Resources and Environment planted a northern red oak — a living symbol of strength, resilience, and growth. What began as a single course in 1925, taught by pioneering professor Wilbur O’Byrne, has grown into one of the nation’s leading programs in natural resources and environmental studies.

By the late 1800s, Virginia’s forests were nearly depleted due to widespread logging for fuel and industry in the U.S. and the United Kingdom. In response, the state established an agricultural research station in Blacksburg in 1886, laying the foundation for the university’s future forestry program.

The first forestry course appeared in the 1902 catalog of Members of the faculty and staff of the College of Natural Resources and Environment, along with special guests, celebrated a century of forestry education by planting a commemorative northern red oak tree near the Duckpond. Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College and Polytechnic Institute, offering instruction in the classification and conservation of native trees. But the program truly took root in 1925 with the hiring of O’Byrne.

By 1938, the university began offering a Bachelor of Science in Conservation and Forestry, establishing a formal path for students interested in sustainable land management.

The forestry program expanded over time to include wildlife conservation. In 1959, forestry and wildlife sciences separated from the Department of Biology to form a new academic unit dedicated to the conservation of forest landscapes and the species they support.

Even as the program grew, the state continued funding Virginia students to attend North Carolina State University for forestry studies — until 1961, when John F. Hosner became head of the department. Hosner helped establish Virginia Tech as a national leader in forestry education through faculty recruitment, industry partnerships, and student engagement.

By 1965, the program had earned accreditation from the Society of American Foresters. Within a decade, enrollment jumped from 66 undergraduates and five graduate students to more than 340 undergraduates and 50 graduate students. As the program grew in size and reputation, so did the need for dedicated facilities. With help from alumnus Julian Cheatham ’33, then a senior vice president at Georgia-Pacific, a $1.6 million bond referendum and corporate support funded construction of a state-of-the-art academic building. Cheatham Hall, named in his honor, was dedicated in 1971 and remains a hub for forestry education and research.

By 1974, the forestry and wildlife programs had evolved into two separate units: Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences, and Forestry and Forest Products. Two years later, they were unified under the School of Forestry and Wildlife Resources.

In 1979, the forestry unit split again, forming the Department of Forestry and the Department of Wood Science and Forest Products. The latter moved into the newly constructed Thomas Brooks Center, named for a longtime lumber executive and philanthropist.

By 1982, Virginia Tech’s School of Forestry was recognized as one of the top in the nation, ranking third overall and earning high marks for faculty productivity, graduate success, and peer reputation.

Hosner, a persistent advocate for elevating the program, led the charge to transform the school into a college. In 1992, the College of Forestry and Wildlife Resources was formally established. The name changed to the College of Natural Resources in 2000, and in 2010, “Environment” was added to reflect a broader mission in sustainability, environmental science, and stewardship.

Today, the seed planted in 1925 has grown into a robust and respected academic institution. CNRE comprises four departments and offers 12 undergraduate majors. In May 2025, the college awarded 255 bachelor’s degrees and 60 advanced degrees — a testament to its enduring legacy and continued relevance.

From forest restoration to climate resilience, from wildlife conservation to sustainable materials, CNRE prepares students to meet the environmental challenges of the next century — just as it has for the past 100 years. And its roots continue to deepen.

Six people ceremoniously shovel dirt into a newly planted tree hole.
The ceremonial planting included a formal first-shovel of dirt to cover the root ball, with Tenna Hosner, Jessica Rodriguez, former faculty member Dave Smith, Department Head Joe Knight, Associate Dean Keith Goyne, and Dean Paul Winistorfer.

By 1938, the university began offering a Bachelor of Science in Conservation and Forestry, establishing a formal path for students interested in sustainable land management.

The forestry program expanded over time to include wildlife conservation. In 1959, forestry and wildlife sciences separated from the Department of Biology to form a new academic unit dedicated to the conservation of forest landscapes and the species they support.

Even as the program grew, the state continued funding Virginia students to attend North Carolina State University for forestry studies — until 1961, when John F. Hosner became head of the department. Hosner helped establish Virginia Tech as a national leader in forestry education through faculty recruitment, industry partnerships, and student engagement.

By 1965, the program had earned accreditation from the Society of American Foresters. Within a decade, enrollment jumped from 66 undergraduates and five graduate students to more than 340 undergraduates and 50 graduate students. As the program grew in size and reputation, so did the need for dedicated facilities. With help from alumnus Julian Cheatham ’33, then a senior vice president at Georgia-Pacific, a $1.6 million bond referendum and corporate support funded construction of a state-of-the-art academic building. Cheatham Hall, named in his honor, was dedicated in 1971 and remains a hub for forestry education and research.

By 1974, the forestry and wildlife programs had evolved into two separate units: Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences, and Forestry and Forest Products. Two years later, they were unified under the School of Forestry and Wildlife Resources.

In 1979, the forestry unit split again, forming the Department of Forestry and the Department of Wood Science and Forest Products. The latter moved into the newly constructed Thomas Brooks Center, named for a longtime lumber executive and philanthropist.

By 1982, Virginia Tech’s School of Forestry was recognized as one of the top in the nation, ranking third overall and earning high marks for faculty productivity, graduate success, and peer reputation.

Hosner, a persistent advocate for elevating the program, led the charge to transform the school into a college. In 1992, the College of Forestry and Wildlife Resources was formally established. The name changed to the College of Natural Resources in 2000, and in 2010, “Environment” was added to reflect a broader mission in sustainability, environmental science, and stewardship.

Today, the seed planted in 1925 has grown into a robust and respected academic institution. CNRE comprises four departments and offers 12 undergraduate majors. In May 2025, the college awarded 255 bachelor’s degrees and 60 advanced degrees — a testament to its enduring legacy and continued relevance.

From forest restoration to climate resilience, from wildlife conservation to sustainable materials, CNRE prepares students to meet the environmental challenges of the next century — just as it has for the past 100 years. And its roots continue to deepen.

The words, "Virginia Water Resources Research Center" over a silhouette of the state of Virginia

Virginia Water Center celebrates 60 years, launches new master’s degrees

The Virginia Water Center celebrates 60 years of advancing water research, education, and policy, with new master’s degree programs and statewide partnerships shaping the future.

The Virginia Water Resources Research Center is celebrating a milestone year in 2025. Known as the Water Center, this year marks 60 years since its founding at Virginia Tech and 20 years of being housed within the College of Natural Resources and Environment.

Under new Director Kevin McGuire, the center continues to provide research, outreach, and education across the commonwealth.

“The Water Center is dedicated to enhancing the understanding and sustainable management of water resources in Virginia and beyond,” McGuire said. “The water centers were established in response to significant national challenges in water resources in the 1950s and ’60s. Today, we continue to face challenges in providing for clean and adequate water for people and ecosystems. We do this by fostering a robust research community in water resources, providing transformative educational opportunities, building collaborative partnerships, and disseminating science-based knowledge about water resources and water use.”

The center was founded a year after the 1964 Water Resources Research Act, which called on each state to establish a water center. This predated the Clean Water Act by eight years and underscored the growing need to study and protect water availability and quality. There are now 54 water centers — one in each state, mostly affiliated with land-grant universities — along with centers in Washington, D.C.; Puerto Rico; Guam; and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

“The original language in the 1964 Water Resources Research Act has remained largely unchanged,” McGuire said. “It’s like the land-grant mission but for water. The act calls for centers to plan and conduct research on water resources, promote dissemination and application of results, train scientists and engineers, and cooperate with other colleges and universities to resolve state and regional water and land problems.”

McGuire said most of the training is at the graduate level, funded through grant programs coordinated by the center.

“In November, the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors approved a new master’s degree led by our center and a committee of faculty from 14 departments. We’ve also been involved in undergraduate training. In 2014, we established an undergraduate bachelor’s degree in water resources that has produced about 100 graduates to date.”

The water resources, policy, and management major is housed in the Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation. CNRE is the only college in Virginia to offer an undergraduate degree in water resources.

The center funds and supports water-related research across the state, not just at Virginia Tech. It also addresses emerging issues. In 2023, harmful algal blooms at Smith Mountain Lake prompted recreational advisories. Understanding their cause and how to prevent future outbreaks is one example of the center’s recent projects.

As the center marks its 60th anniversary, faculty and staff continue advancing research and programs to protect water resources in Virginia and nationwide.

Virginia Master Naturalist program marks 20 years of impact

Marking its 20th anniversary, the Virginia Master Naturalist program celebrates decades of training volunteers in environmental stewardship and community education across the commonwealth.

The Virginia Master Naturalist (VMN) program is celebrating 20 years of training volunteers to protect and manage Virginia’s natural resources. Established in 2005, the statewide initiative has helped thousands of Virginians engage in conservation efforts across the commonwealth.

The program now operates through 30 chapters, engaging Virginians in environmental education, stewardship, and citizen science.

VMN volunteers complete in-depth training that combines classroom instruction with field experiences. The curriculum includes ecology, geology, resource management, and identifying native plants and animals. After training, volunteers support projects such as habitat restoration, wildlife monitoring, and environmental education.

Volunteers said the program is deeply rewarding.

Lucinda Jennings, a founding member of the New River Valley chapter, has been involved since the program began.

“I am so proud of being in the first class. From that point on I had made a dozen or so new friends. As the chapter has grown substantially, I have really enjoyed meeting new people — of all different ages and professions, but we all have a vested interest in our environment,” she said. “I hope that this continues to inspire others to carry on with their own generosity sharing the natural world with others in the program, not to mention in the wider community.”

In 2024 alone, volunteers contributed more than 250,000 hours of service. They restored 32 new habitats, improved 821 existing sites, and made more than 850,000 educational contacts with the public. They also supported more than 65 citizen science studies, providing valuable data for wildlife and land management.

The program’s impact goes beyond conservation. Volunteers also strengthen community education and engagement.

As it marks 20 years in 2025, the program is focusing on tree and forest-related projects to expand canopy cover, improve forest health, and raise public awareness.

Fairfax chapter member Aurora Borghi said the program helps her connect with like-minded people.

“Volunteering is something I look forward to every week, and it’s a great way to meet people who hold similar values of environmental stewardship,” she said.

Geography celebrates 50 years at Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech’s Department of Geography celebrates 50 years of growth, innovation, and global impact through teaching, research, and new programs such as meteorology and GIS.

The Department of Geography is marking a half-century at Virginia Tech.

Geography was first taught at Virginia Tech in 1970, when a faculty member joined the Department of Political Science to introduce the subject. Interest grew quickly, and by 1975, Virginia Tech launched a Bachelor of Arts in geography, led by Charles Good, the department’s first chair. A graduate degree followed in 1977.

“I am proud of the many faculty, students, and staff who over the past 50 years have established the Department of Geography as a premier place for geographical and meteorological studies and research,” said Tom Crawford, chair of the department. “Our curricula and research have evolved since 1975 with their related disciplines to position us as a destination for students and faculty alike.”

Originally part of the College of Arts and Sciences, the department joined the College of Natural Resources in 2004 after university restructuring. The College of Natural Resources and Environment was a natural fit, sharing research strengths in GIS and remote sensing with fields like forestry and wildlife.

In 2003, then-department chair Lawrence Grossman told Virginia Tech News: “Geography faculty expertise in GIS, remote sensing, international development, and human dimensions of resource use will contribute much to these central concerns within the college.”

The department welcomed its first doctoral students in 2006. A Bachelor of Science in meteorology was introduced in 2012, nearly doubling student enrollment. It remains the only meteorology major offered at a Virginia university.

The department moved to Wallace Hall in 2019, after decades in Major Williams Hall. Wallace has always been academic, while Major Williams—known as “Major Bill”—was a residence hall for decades. Faculty recall alumni visiting their former dorm rooms, now offices, in Major Williams.

The department has grown significantly since its founding. Today, 22 faculty teach a range of geography and meteorology subjects. The department draws graduate students from around the world. Of the 32 current graduate students, 15 earned previous degrees outside the United States. College Factual ranks its program No. 1 in the Southeast and No. 18 nationally.

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