Factors Influencing Minority And Urban Students' Interest In Natural Resources

Diversifying the student body of natural resources (NR) programs by increasing numbers of women and people of color is important. This study explored factors influencing undergraduate interest in NR, including forestry, and decision to enroll in an NR undergraduate program at a large 1862 land-grant institution in the southeastern United States. We looked at how their responses differ between gender, race/ethnicity, and the environment surrounding their home where they grew up, a variable we call the environment of influence. Overall, results confirm the importance of connection to nature. Interest in enrolling in an NR program and pursuing a career depend in large part on having a connection to nature and concern for the environment, and this is true for those who grew up in urban as well as rural environments. A notable difference between female and male respondents was when their interest in NR began: females reported early childhood age, and males reported in high school or later. Interest also occurred later in life for nonwhite/Hispanic students than for white/non-Hispanic students. Other racial/ethnic differences include the influence of guest speakers, family, and media in the interest and enrollment in NR. Media also played a strong role in NR enrollment and interest in the respondents from suburban and built environments. We conclude with recommendations for recruiting a more diverse undergraduate NR body and creating a more inclusive environment for people from different genders, races, and environments of influence.