SPONSORS

About the Natural Resources Research Institute

The mission of the Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI) at the University of Minnesota Duluth is to foster economic development of Minnesota’s natural resources in an environmentally sound manner and to promote private sector employment.

History
Back in the early 1980s, Minnesota’s economy—largely dependent on natural resources—was taking a beating. The state was reeling from a domestic steel crisis that left about 13,000 workers unemployed on the Iron Range, and global competition was threatening the state’s logging, pulp, and paper industries. To counteract the blow—and avoid a similar occurrence in the future— a group of researchers, legislators, and community members envisioned building a center that would study the economic impact and sustainability of Minnesota’s minerals, forest products, peat, biomass, and water-related industries. This vision became a reality. In 1985, the Natural Resources Research Institute opened its doors in an abandoned Air Force building. The 20-foot ceilings and cavernous concrete spaces were filled with science laboratories and industrial-sized equipment.

Today
Over the past 20-plus years, NRRI has earned the respect of industry leaders, the academic community, and environmental watchdogs. Its reach is felt throughout the state and beyond.
NRRI operates a minerals research laboratory in Coleraine on Minnesota’s Iron Range providing research for mining industries, a diatoms research lab in Ely, Minnesota, that focuses on water quality issues, and a Fens Research Facility in Zim, Minnesota, to study peatland restoration.
Minnesota Congressman James Oberstar said of NRRI: “Our state has an abundance of natural resources, and it is our responsibility to protect the environment for future generations, as well as to create new economic opportunities. Through its research, NRRI has been an active participant in revitalizing both areas. It’s truly one of Minnesota’s gems.”

About the University of Minnesota Duluth Department of Biology

Biology is one of the largest programs in the Swenson College of Science and Engineering at the University of Minnesota Duluth, with over 700 undergraduate students, 50 active graduate students, and 21 full-time faculty members.

For prospective undergraduates we offer B.S. degrees in Biology and Cell and Molecular Biology. We also serve students seeking a B.A. degree in Biology through the College of Liberal Arts and students in the College of Education and Human Service Professions seeking the B.A.S. in Life Science Teaching. For prospective graduate students, the Integrated Biosciences graduate program offers M.S. and Ph.D. degrees.

Biology faculty are actively involved in research supported by over $9 million in external grants. This allows us to offer all qualified undergraduate students the opportunity to participate in faculty research. The Department of Biology is housed in a new 130,000 square foot state-of-the-art research/teaching laboratory facility.

About Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory

Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory (HRBO) is a non-profit organization charged with the management of the beautiful and unique Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve, 365 acres of city-owned green space in Duluth, Minnesota. Established in 1972, Hawk Ridge is one of North America’s premier sites to watch the fall migration of birds of prey. Because of its location at the tip of Lake Superior (a massive natural barrier to migrating raptors), Hawk Ridge sees an average of 94,000 hawks, eagles, falcons and other raptors each fall. This consistent, sizeable migration opens the door for ongoing research and education not easily duplicated anywhere in North America. Nearly 18,000 people visit Hawk Ridge each fall, participating in educational programs and benefitting from the research that goes on at the reserve.

About the Duluth Audubon Society

The mission of the Duluth Audubon Society to promote education, conservation and research focused on birds and to preserve and enhance the ecological diversity of the greater Duluth area.