What impacts are climate change having on communities, forests, wildlife and industries? How can we protect our freshwater resources? How can we reduce risk while reaching for opportunities? What do you envision the future will be like?
The University of Minnesota Duluth’s Natural Resources Research Institute is opening its doors to the public for an open house on Saturday, September 16, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. The Institute is in Hermantown at 5013 Miller Trunk Highway (turn on Cirrus Drive and approach building from behind). Follow signs to front of building.
“Minnesota is poised to be a national leader in industrial decarbonization with a sense of urgency,” said NRRI Executive Director Rolf Weberg. “We’re excited to open our doors and to share our mission with the Duluth area community.”
Back to the Future
- Contribute to our time capsule! We’ll fill it with your thoughts, hopes and visions for the future. Also drawings or kids hand prints. It will be encased and locked until the year 2063. Forty years ago, the Minnesota State Legislature formed the NRRI to address sustainable use of the state’s natural resources. Materials will be provided for artwork and notes.
- Bring a favorite rock for geologists to identify. Rocks are the earth’s natural time capsule and tell us much about our planet. Would you like to know more about a rock you have? Bring it in!
- Tour new LP SmartSide Innovation Center. The future of the forest products industry is more efficient. See product development in action.
Strategic Focus
NRRI scientists and engineers will staff stations to highlight their research to achieve the institute’s three major strategic initiatives:
- Ecosystem Resilience
Understanding relationships between water, land and mineral resources to manage societal needs and impacts.
- Future Forest Industries
Demonstrating technologies to create and transform renewable biomass and organic waste streams into refined, engineered carbon materials.
- Iron & Minerals of the Future
Developing carbon-neutral mineral resource extraction and processing strategies with reduced waste to support high-value products.
Come and chat with researchers, learn about their STEM careers, enjoy a hot dog or bratwurst lunch and help NRRI focus on the future!
NRRI’s mission is to deliver integrated research solutions that value our resources, environment and economy for a sustainable and resilient future.
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