About The Center for Natural Resources Management on Military Lands

Why is natural resources management on military lands important?

Military installations serve vital functions for the United States, including training service members, testing emerging technologies, supporting national defense operations and conducting critical research. The Department of Defense (DoD) is one of the largest landholders in the U.S., managing more than 8.8 million acres along with extensive infrastructure engineering, cultural assets and environmental resources. Effective stewardship of these resources is essential to maintaining mission readiness, ensuring regulatory compliance, protecting natural and cultural assets and sustaining the long-term functionality of military installations. 

Why was the Center for Natural Resources Management on Military Lands created?

Military installation managers face a variety of administrative, logistical, operational and regulatory challenges that can impact mission success. From managing natural resources and complying with environmental regulations to planning architecture and engineering improvements and preserving cultural resources, installations must balance complex requirements while maintaining operational readiness. Additionally, managers may not always have the time or resources to stay current with evolving research, regulations, technologies and best management practices. 
 
The Center for Natural Resources Management on Military Lands (CNRMML) at Auburn University was established to help military installations overcome these challenges by providing integrated technical expertise, research support and professional services. Through a multidisciplinary approach, the Center assists partners in addressing environmental, architectural, engineering, cultural resources and natural resources management needs while advancing sustainable and mission-focused solutions. 

What is the mission and vision of the CNRMML?

The mission of the CNRMML is to support and enhance environmental stewardship, arhictecture and engineering planning, compliance programs and natural resources management efforts on U.S. military installations while concurrently creating research, education and outreach opportunities for Auburn University. The Center strives to connect military partners with the expertise, innovation and applied solutions needed to address complex installation management challenges. 
 
Our vision is to be the premier partner for military installations seeking integrated solutions in natural resources management, environmental compliance, architecture and engineering design, cultural resources, research and related technical services. 

How does the CNRMML assist installation resource managers?

The CNRMML provides flexible and scalable support tailored to the specific needs of military partners. Services span natural resources management, environmental compliance, architecture and engineering design, cultural resources, research, planning and technical support. Project delivery is based on partner needs, project requirements and the most effective path to successful outcomes. 

Strategies for providing support include: 

• Pairing existing Auburn University faculty and staff experts with project objectives.
• Hiring dedicated Auburn University employees to provide on-site or remote technical support.
• Establishing partnerships with private companies, organizations and other universities to deliver specialized services and expertise.
• Integrating multidisciplinary teams to address complex environmental, infrastructure, planning, and resource management challenges.