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Department of Natural Resource Management

Welcome to the wide world of Natural Resources!

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If you love the outdoors and want to learn how best to conserve and manage our natural resources, then please check us out! Our areas of scientific expertise enable us to train a diverse array of disciplines at the undergraduate and graduate level utilizing interdisciplinary approaches while preparing them for a multitude of career options. South Dakota's natural resources are a key factor in maintaining a high-quality workforce throughout our state. Moreover, the quality of life for many people is intimately tied to their enjoyment of natural areas.
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More about the NRM

NRM Vision Statement

Department of Natural Resource Management faculty members aspire to national distinction in undergraduate and graduate education, national distinction as leaders in natural resource research and provision of indispensable service to the people of South Dakota and the Northern Great Plains and beyond related to contemporary natural resource management issues and university strategic goals.

Mission Statements

Academic Programs —Train students as scholars and managers of distinction who will contribute to sustainable regional, national and international conservation and management of natural resources.

Research and Scholarly Activity — Determine research needs and address those needs through basic and applied investigations and student mentoring to promote biodiversity and sustainable use and management of natural resources.

Outreach and Service — Transfer critical information on the sustainable use of natural resources to the public as well as serve professional, governmental and citizen organizations.

Fast Facts (as of 2022-2023 Academic Year)

Number of Students

305
Undergraduate
60
Graduate & Postdoc

Number of Faculty

19

Number of Undergraduate Fields of Study

5

Number of 2021–2022 Department Scholarship Recipients

61

 

 

NRM Undergraduate Reception

Department of Natural Resource Management Events

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Jul 17

Natural Resources Camp

Jul 18

Natural Resources Camp

Jul 19

Natural Resources Camp

Jul 20

Natural Resources Camp

Department of Natural Resource Management News

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River otters

Restoring the river otter

In the late 1990s, the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe reintroduced approximately 35 river otters into the Big Sioux River. Otters, which at one time could be found throughout the Upper Midwest, had become nearly extinct in South Dakota due to habitat loss, pollution and unregulated harvest. ...

SDSU researchers investigating conservation solutions for pinyon jays

A bird that once flourished throughout the Western United States is falling victim to population decline.
Buffalo

Severud's Large Mammal Ecology and Management Lab adventures

This semester was William Severud's first teaching 417/517 Large Mammal Ecology and Management. ...