North Carolina State University's College of Forest Resources has been a leader in forestry research and teaching for 70 years. Starting this month, the college continues its leadership under a new name: the NC State College of Natural Resources.

The new name -- which became official on Friday, July 14, following approval by The University of North Carolina system's Board of Governors -- reflects the college's growing emphasis on the sustainable use and stewardship of natural resources.

Dr. Larry K. Tombaugh, dean of the College of Natural Resources, said the new name will be reflect what the college is now all about. "Forestry and wood products have been pinnacles of excellence in the college for decades, and they will continue to be at its core. But because of population growth, urbanization and new technologies, natural resource issues have become much more complex.

"A major issue now facing society is to learn how to comprehensively manage and use our natural resources so future development will be both economically and environmentally sustainable," Tombaugh said. "The new name will help us focus our teaching, research and extension efforts on this critical issue."

For the NC State news release about the College of Natural Resources' new name, click here. For Dean Larry W. Tombaugh's remarks about the change, click here.