Natural Resources | University of Minnesota Crookston

Natural Resources | University of Minnesota Crookston
Natural Resources
Agriculture and Natural Resources Department
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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. UMN 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.
"UMN 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 Exploration Day
- May 8, 2026
Elizabeth Granlund
Sr Admiss Cnslr/Event Coord
(218) 281-8569
[email protected]
Natural Resources Major
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 UMN Crookston faculty, as well as faculty from the Northwest Research and Outreach Center, University of Minnesota Extension, other UMN 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.
Admissions FAQ
Transfer Information
Awards & Accreditation
UMN Crookston ranked
#1 Best Value College in Minnesota for 2025
The University of Minnesota Crookston is
accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
Employment Outlook & Careers
The natural resources major prepares students for various career paths based on their chosen emphasis.
Departments of Natural Resources (DNR)
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
U.S. Forest Service
Natural Resource Conservation Service
National Park Service
Soil and Water Conservation Districts
County Lands and Forestry Departments
The Nature Conservancy
Pheasants Forever/Ducks Unlimited
Private conservation organizations
Get involved, join a club!
Join our variety of natural resource-based clubs, such as the
Natural Resources Club
UMN Crookston Student Chapter of
The Wildlife Society
UMN Crookston Collegiate Trap Team
Crookston Students for Sustainable Development
Student Experiences
Athletics
Our Golden Eagles shake things up on the court, field, sidelines and more! We offer a wide variety of men’s and women’s athletic programs - competing at the NCAA Division II level in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) and the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA). Come cheer on the home team with our mascot, Regal the Golden Eagle!
Student Success
We truly support the holistic development of students by centering diversity, equity, and belonging. We offer services such as:
Career Services
Tutoring
Writing Center
Academic Advising
Library
Disability Resource Center
Health and Wellbeing
Good physical and mental health are important to your educational success. The University offers on-campus health services, counseling services and a disability resource center that provide care and support in many ways.
Health Services
Counseling Services
Disability Resource Center
Computer Help Desk
This is the primary technology support department on campus. We are a laptop university - providing students and faculty with an essential tool for success. The Help Desk should always be the first point of contact for all UMN Crookston faculty, staff, and students.
Wellness Center
Check out our state of the art Wellness Center! It's the perfect place to workout, focus on yourself, and learn something new! Our facility features a two-court gymnasium with suspended jogging/walking track, fitness/cardio areas, general locker rooms, a classroom, and a multipurpose room for group exercise.
2025-2026 Cost of Attendance (COA)
Full-time (13-18 credits), on-campus.
Expense Category
MN Resident & Non Resident
Tuition/fees
$13,288
Books/supplies*
800
Housing/food
$11,382
*Books and supplies are available through the new CourseWorks program
Laptops are provided to all on-campus degree-seeking students
Average Cost After Aid
$13,436
Average amount of grants & scholarships received (2022-2023 data)
$12,894
Average net price after grants &
scholarships (2021-2022 data)
$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!
Specialty Scholarships
We have hundreds of specialty scholarships available, but the best part is here at UMN Crookston, you only need to fill out ONE application to be eligible for them all.
Specialty Scholarships
Scholarships & Grants
Scholarships and grants are considered “gift aid” because they are a source of free money - financial aid that does not have to be repaid. There are many more additional scholarships and grants to help lower your cost.
Scholarships & Grants
Promise Programs
The Promise Programs make a UMN education possible for Minnesota resident students across the University's five system campuses. Eligible Minnesota resident undergraduate students and those who enroll at the UMN will be guaranteed funds to support their collegiate aspirations.
Promise Programs
Your Future Professors
Phil Baird M.S.
Associate Professor, Emeritus
Laura Bell
Lab Services Coordinator
Eric Castle
Associate Professor
Brenda Chaplinski
Lecturer
John Loegering Ph.D.
Professor
Aaron Rudolph Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
David Seyfried Ph.D.
Senior Lecturer
Matt Simmons Ph.D.
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!
Centennial Hall
Evergreen Hall
Heritage Hall
McCall Hall
Skyberg Hall
Dining
Brown Dining Hall
11am-1pm & 4:30-7pm Monday-Friday; 10:30am-1pm & 5-6:30pm Sat & Sun
Brown Dining Hall
is the main dining hall on campus and features an all-you-can-eat buffet style set-up with a wide variety of food stations to choose from:
Main Buffet -
menu changes daily
Pizza & Pasta
Soup & Salad Bar
Deli & Grill Station
Desserts
Beverages
Evergreen Grill
3:30-8pm M-F
Evergreen Grill
is c
onveniently located near the residence halls for evening eats. Includes a selection of burgers, wraps, sandwiches and more!
Evergreen Grill Menu
The Eagle's Nest
7am-4pm M-F
The
Eagle's Nest
is a convenient quick stop and shop experience on your way to and from classes and activities.
Caribou Coffee
Regal’s Grill
Breakfast - menu changes daily
Convenience snacks & beverages
Caribou Coffee
7am-4pm M-F
Need a pick-me-up, warm-me-up or something thirst
quenching
? Stop by Caribou Coffee in the Eagle's Nest.
Caribou Coffee Menu
Coffee, Cappuccinos, Lattes, Americanos, and Mochas
Teas
Specialty Drinks
Sparkling Sodas
Chocolate Drinks
Regal's Grill
11am-4pm M-F
Get your burgers, sandwiches and other favorites
Regal’s Grill Menu
Burgers
Grilled Cheese
Crispy Chicken Sandwiches
Chicken Strips
Fries & Onion Rings
Off-Campus Dining Choices
There are many dining options available on campus. There are also great
off-campus dining choices
in the Crookston community.
Student Stories
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.
Alumni Feature: Jeff Runck 2012
Runck goes to the extreme with his career as a smokejumper for the Bureau of Land Management.
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.
Related Programs
On Campus Programs
Environmental Sciences
Horticulture
Events
There’s always something fun going on around campus. Whether you’re into tailgating and going to games to cheer on your favorite Golden Eagle athletics team, or you’re more interested in art, music, and theater - there’s a broad range of activities to attend. Check out the campus events calendar and join us!
View All Events
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