Applied Ecology and Resource Management

Platform Overview

The Applied Ecology and Resource Management Platform seeks to understand the world we live in and how to minimize our impacts. Comprised of our Forest and Land and our Water Research Groups, these scientists bring together decades of research and expertise in their respective fields. 

NRRI was established by the Minnesota State Legislature to address the challenges of an economy largely built on the natural resources of the state. Can we manage the water and forest resources in a sustainable way that allows for efficient use of the resources by humans and wildlife? What remediation strategies make sense to improve degraded ecosystems? We address these challenges and opportunities through the following programs:

Research Programs

Seeking to understand Minnesota's forest landscapes and ecosystems.

Developing hybrid poplar with superior growth and disease resistance for Minnesota’s emerging bioeconomy.

Developing science-based tools, materials and technologies to assess and protect our freshwater resources.

Researching forest use and sustainable management.

Water quality assessment, remediation and management. 

Seeking to understand the world we live in, impact

Featured Research Projects

The goal of this project was to develop a model that predicts potential beaver dam locations based on stream channel, watershed and habitat characteristics.

The ForCAST tool attempts to provide forestry professionals and land managers with an opportunity to evaluate how a changing climate and changing markets might affect Minnesota’s forests and

The Minnesota Fisher Den Box Project is focused on evaluating an emerging habitat management tool to address the declining MN fisher population.

Recent News

A man stands at a podium with a microphone in front of a presentation slide.

NRRI scientists present findings on projects with broader water community.

Gray and white bird sits on slim branch.

Warm winter weather in northern latitudes can have both positive and negative effects on well-known and beloved resident bird species, like the Canada Jay, Boreal Chickadee and Black-capped Chickad

Woman in white lab coat and safety glasses works in a lab at computer screen.

UMD master's graduate goes all in for aquatic chemistry for environmental protection

Two men stand in a chemistry lab one holds birch bark the other a brown material

Early NRRI R&D went on ‘rollercoaster ride’ leading to an international effort starring Minnesota’s giving tree, the paper birch
 

Woman standing outdoors with mountains in background

Wildlife biologist finds NRRI research on the 'wild side' fits her life and passion.

Woman in white lab coat and safety glasses sits at a hooded work space.

Enthused by ‘all things science-y’ makes NRRI a good fit for this microbiologist.