The saying goes that a picture is worth a thousand words. I believe the same could be said about an organization’s name. We should understand an organization’s work and mission by its name.
That is one of the reasons why we recently changed our name from the Texas A&M Institute of Renewable Natural Resources to the Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute.
The renaming was part of a strategic planning and brand-building process that the institute began a few years ago and has culminated in 2017 with our updated website, brand and name.
Our primary work includes work with endangered species conservation, military land sustainability and land trends to name a few, which the term “renewable” does not precisely describe. In fact, the majority of our work is in partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, and state agencies such as the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, which focus on the conservation of natural resources on both private and public lands.
It is for these reasons that we decided to change the name of the institute - not to change the scope of our work but instead to better describe what we do. Our new name better reflects our mission and vision:
“Our mission is to solve complex natural resource challenges through discovery, engagement, innovation, and land stewardship. Our vision is a future where the benefits of private lands are enhanced and the value of land stewardship is promoted and strengthened.”
- Dr. Roel Lopez, NRI Director
