Protecting Our Shared Environment Extension professionals in the College of Natural Resources (CNR) support three of North Carolina’s top industries: forestry, tourism and wood products, which contribute over $85 billion to the economy. Working with more than 1.7 million landowners, natural resource professionals and business leaders, Extension experts in CNR bolstered knowledge of the state’s rich natural environments in 2023:
HIGHLIGHTS Extension Forestry > Enhanced the application of prescribed burning across 52 counties with seven prescribed burn associations > Increased awareness of invasive species among more than 1.2 million people > Secured $13.5M in funding to support military readiness and the enhancement of working and natural lands in 33 counties
Wood Products Extension > Enhanced skills in urban wood drying of high-quality slabs and lumber for 13 professionals, fostering 22% business growth > Increased knowledge of lumber operations for owners of small to midsize companies, creating business growth of 19%
Tourism Extension > Grew awareness of economic and social benefits of agritourism among 10,000+ people > Led the formation of the Global Agritourism Network, with over 550 members from 87 countries > Increased awareness in more than 2,200 individuals of agritourism’s role in rural development
go.ncsu.edu/Homegrown-Agritourism
< Students in the College of Natural Resources learn about controlled forest burns at NC State’s Hill Forest in Durham. 15
