Seeking to understand Minnesota's forest landscapes and ecosystems.
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
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.
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 a
The Minnesota Fisher Den Box Project is focused on evaluating an emerging habitat management tool to address the declining MN fisher population.
Recent News
March 6, 2023
Pine marten study underway compares difference between two habitats and impact on species.
March 6, 2023
For 30-plus years, the Central Analytical Lab has informed research and agency monitoring programs with the highest standards of quality.
February 8, 2023
NRRI completes field study of environmental impact of road salt alternative, starts lab study of grit alternatives.
February 8, 2023
Wading in wetlands gives early career scientist, Zach Wagner, valuable experience.
November 29, 2022
Intern project gives data the GIS treatment for easy access to pine estimates and logging harvest activities
November 21, 2022
Research effort to provide artificial tree cavities attracted some fishers, other wildlife; expanded project will study predators