Program Overview

Program Course Delivery
Natural Resources - Major On-Campus

Explore the natural resources program

Let the great outdoors become your classroom. This major is built for hands-on opportunities and getting you career-ready. Prescribed burning, duck banding, bird surveys, mammal trapping, plant and animal identification, radio-telemetry, and GIS/GPS training are some of the many labs and opportunities you will have on our campus. U of M Crookston also has quick, convenient access to two National Wildlife Refuges and a 90-acre natural history area. All students also complete a federal wildland firefighter certification in the program.

"U of M Crookston has done a better job of preparing students for natural resources work than any college I've seen!" - Paul Swenson, former regional director, Minnesota DNR

Natural Resources is a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree.

Natural Resources Major

Student learning how to do a controlled burn

Managing natural resources is vital because of the increasing human population and limited natural resources and habitats. Natural resource managers help balance people's needs with the ecosystem’s ability to sustainably support soil, water, forests, wildlife, fish, and recreational resources.

The natural resources program provides an integrated approach to soil and water conservation, wildlife and fisheries management, forestry, and recreation. This combination enables graduates to work with various resources and people to build careers tailored to their interests.

Students select one of the following emphases:

  • Ecological restoration
  • Natural resources law enforcement
  • Natural resources management
  • Park management
  • Water resource management
  • Wildlife management

After completing the program, graduates will:

  • Apply an integrated resource management approach incorporating environmental, economic, and social considerations.
  • Demonstrate appropriate technical knowledge and practical applications necessary for employment in the natural resources field.
  • Perform group problem-solving, decision-making, and conflict management to effectively manage resources.
  • Demonstrate oral and written communication skills appropriate for a beginning natural resource professional.

Be aware of the necessity of continuing education and professional development to be successful in a changing natural resources workplace.

Natural Resources Major Courses
 

Program Description

  • Experience prescribed burning, duck banding, mammal trapping, plant and animal identification, map and compass training, stream and riparian surveys, invasive species management, field sampling, and GIS/GPS training. 
  • Gain field research experiences with U of M Crookston faculty, as well as faculty from the Northwest Research and Outreach Center, University of Minnesota Extension, other U of M campuses, other universities, and state and federal agency researchers.
  • Take regular field trips to regionally significant resource areas.
  • Student employment is available to support the program and maintain the wildlife museum’s 3000+ specimens.
  • Experience the on-campus, 90-acre Red River Valley Natural History Area managed by students and program faculty.
  • Study only a 30-minute drive from two National Wildlife Refuges, dozens of wildlife management areas, five scientific and natural areas, many waterfowl production areas, and other public lands.

Awards and Accreditation

The University of Minnesota Crookston is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Student Experiences

UMN Women basketball player holding a basketball while yelling at the camera
Two students having a conversation while looking at a laptop
A women smiling while glancing outside of the window.
Two female students smiling while looking at a laptop screen
Image of a basketball gym.

Average Cost After Aid

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$13,436

Average amount of grants & scholarships received (2022-2023 data)

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$12,894

Average net price after grants &
scholarships (2021-2022 data)

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$22,883

Average TOTAL student loan debt after
graduation (2022-2023)

Scholarship and Funding Options

The University of Minnesota Crookston provides quick and easy access to over $1 million worth of scholarship opportunities for new and returning students!

Your Future Professors

Laura Bell
Lab Services Coordinator
Eric Castle
Associate Professor
John Loegering
Professor, Department Chair
Aaron Rudolph
Assistant Professor
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Senior Lecturer
Matt Simmons
Associate Professor

What is Campus Life Like?

Residential Life

University of Minnesota Crookston's residence halls are ranked #1 public college dorms in Minnesota by Niche. The residential halls are clean, safe, spacious and modern. There is a mix of traditional style rooms, suites, and apartments available on-campus which include amenities such as ensuite bathrooms, walk-closets, and full size kitchens with all major appliances. There are also beautiful common spaces in every residential building that are great places to hangout, play games, study, or relax. Schedule a tour to see for yourself why they're ranked #1!

Students gathered together playing cards in their dorm room located in Centennial Hall.
Photo of a dorm room in Evergreen Hall
Living room in Heritage Hall.
A photo of a dorm room in McCall Hall
A photo of a dorm room in Skyberg Hall
A women getting food at a salad bar.
Server handing stacked takeout boxes to a customer at a counter.
Students ordering food at Eagles Nest.
A collage featuring a women eating various foods.

Student Stories

Chad Hornbaker and his dog Dock inspecting luggage at an airport

Alumni Feature: Chad Hornbaker 1993, 2001

Chad Hornbaker 1993 and 2001, who works for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Alaska, shares what it’s like to be a wildlife inspector and K-9 handler in the office of law enforcement in Anchorage.
Jeff Runck fighting a wildfire

Alumni Feature: Jeff Runck 2012

Runck goes to the extreme with his career as a smokejumper for the Bureau of Land Management.
Torchlight eNewsletter Winter Socks and Fire

Alumni feature: Aaron Larsen, Jonah Olson, and Jake Nelson

What are the odds three University of Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagle alumni would end up working under the same roof? Pretty decent when you have the same or similar majors, it turns out.