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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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May 8

Natural Resource Management

Jul 17

Natural Resources Camp

Jul 18

Natural Resources Camp

Jul 19

Natural Resources Camp

Department of Natural Resource Management News

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Hannah Mulligan

SDSU CAFES Graduate Student Receives 2023 Joseph F. Nelson Graduate Scholarship

Hannah Mulligan of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, was recently awarded the 2023 Joseph F. Nelson Graduate Scholarship. Each year two graduate students at South Dakota State University receive the scholarship, and this year both individuals will receive $2,500 each.

Fossil records can help with future conservation efforts

Using the past to predict the future can potentially help researchers with animal conservation efforts, explains Rachel Short, an assistant professor in the Department of Natural Resource Management at South Dakota State University.  ...

SDSU students compete in the Undergraduate Range Management Exam at the Society for Range Management Annual Meeting

A team of 11 SDSU students competed in the Undergraduate Range Management Exam held at the Society for Range Management Annual Meeting in Boise, Idaho Feb. 12-16. The team earned a second-place finish against 21 other schools from North America.