Natural resources can regulate the balance of ecology， provide a good environment and economic foundation for society， and are the material basis for the survival and development of human. Therefore， firmly holding the bottom line of utilizing natural resources and strengthening the protection of the rights and interests of natural resource assets are key factors in promoting the harmonious coexistence between human and nature in the development of modernization. This article analyzed the four stages of the process of developing and protecting natural resources through historical analysis and inductive deduction， clarified the certainty of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature in the development of modernization， proposed the characteristics of developing and protecting of natural resources in the new era， and constructed a path for realizing the development and protection of natural resources to provide theoretical and practical guidance for the construction of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature in the development of modernization. The results showed that the harmonious coexistence between humans and nature in the development of modernization transcended the concepts， methods， and theories of ecological modernization in Western world. The development and protection of natural resources in the new era emphasizes the sustainable development， legalization and standardization， systematic and comprehensive management， and technological innovation. The development and protection of natural resources should adhere to the concept of a community of shared life between humans and nature， adhere to the thinking of systematic governance， strengthen the construction of digital information， promote the development with green and low-carbon， improve the system for natural resources， and enhance the level of supervision and regulation.