Natural Resources Research Institute

06/05/2026

UNDERWATER EXPEDITION ALERT: Journey to the deepest point of Lake Superior! 🌊👇

More than 1,300 feet beneath the waves of Lake Superior lies a pitch-black, hidden world that hasn't been seen in 40 years... until now.

Tomorrow at noon freshwater explorers are set to launch a high-tech remotely operated vehicle (ROV) straight into the dark abyss of Lake Superior's deepest point. This history-making dive aims to capture detailed footage and unlock mysteries of our planet's largest freshwater ecosystem.

What are they looking for down there?

🐟 "Zombie Fish" Mystery: Biologists are investigating why emaciated "zombie" siscowet lake trout have suddenly been turning up, many originating from these very depths.

🐟 Rare Wild Species: The team hopes to capture the first-ever wild photos of the kiyi—a rare, deepwater relative of the whitefish that lives only in Lake Superior.

👾 Alien-Looking Creatures and Landscapes: Keep an eye out for deepwater sculpin and colorful underwater forests of hydra (tiny creatures related to jellyfish and coral).

Best of all? You can watch it all unfold and ask the scientists your questions in real-time!

🗓️ WHEN: Saturday, June 6th at 1:00 PM ET / 12:00 PM CT (Note - weather permitting event)

🔗 WATCH HERE: https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/06/04/watch-join-great-lakes-now-as-an-expedition-explores-the-deep-lake-superior

What do you think they'll find at the bottom of the lake? 🤔

Join a livestreamed expedition to the deepest point in the Great Lakes and explore a hidden underwater world from your own screen. Watch the live stream on MPR News’ page or on MPRnews.org.

06/03/2026

Could natural clay halt toxic algae blooms? UMN researchers aim to find out.
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/05/31/minnesota-researchers-test-if-clay-could-halt-toxic-algae-blooms

Clay is widely used as a treatment method in other countries, but it hasn’t gotten much attention in the U.S. Researchers from the University of Minnesota and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are proposing to test its use in Minneapolis stormwater ponds with a history of algal blooms.

05/16/2026

Did you know that roughly 1 million animals are involved in vehicle collisions every 24 hours in the U.S. alone? Of those collisions, between 1 and 2 million annually are large animal collisions, like deer, moose, or bears. In addition to the loss of wildlife, this results in thousands of human injuries and billions of dollars in damages.

The highest risk of wildlife/vehicle collisions occurs when three factors overlap: Good habitat (forest/water near roads), the Fall season (migration/mating), and Dusk or Dawn (peak animal activity).

This year, from May 22nd to May 29th, volunteers are tracking roadkill reports to help researchers identify "hotspots" that don't always show up in official police reports.

Be a scientist for a week! Help map wildlife hotspots in Minnesota to prevent future crashes. 🦌🚗

Event information, and an informative webinar, can be found here:

Join us in collecting Wildlife Casualty Count Data during the week of Memorial Day

05/15/2026

Work with purpose at NRRI. Positions open now. https://nrri.umn.edu/employment-opportunities

05/14/2026

How do wildfires impact the pristine lakes of Northern Minnesota? 🔥🛶

NRRI researchers are diving into the water quality of our northern lakes to see how they recover after major fires like the Greenwood Fire, and what it means for these ecosystems: https://bit.ly/4frQPpg

04/29/2026

Ask the Naturalist: What animal makes square holes in trees? NRRI Avian Ecologist Kara Snow answers this viewer question for The Connecticut Audubon Society.

6 likes, 1 comment. "Ask the Naturalist: What animal makes square holes in trees?"

04/24/2026

Happy National Arbor Day! 🌳 Looking to plant a tree that makes a difference fast? Meet the InnovaTree™, developed by researchers at the University of Minnesota's Natural Resources Research Institute. This isn’t just any tree—it’s a hybrid poplar bred over 25 years to tackle today’s environmental challenges. Whether you're a homeowner or a land manager, here is why it's a game-changer:

🚀 Extreme Growth: It can grow up to 10 feet per year!
🌍 Carbon Champion: Captures carbon 4x faster than a traditional Red Pine.
🛡️ Hardy & Resilient: Disease-resistant and built for tough Midwest winters.
🌊 Erosion Control: Its aggressive root system stabilizes soil on slopes and riverbanks.
🔥 Sustainable Biomass: An excellent feedstock for bioenergy and fiber production.
🚫 Well-Behaved: Cottonless and non-invasive (no messy seeds!).

From providing a quick privacy screen to restoring land and capturing carbon, the InnovaTree is planting the future at record speed.

InnovaTree™ Poplar Variety A fast-growing poplar tree selectively bred by UMN researchers More than two decades of research. Less than one decade to grow. Stay InformedReceive updates about InnovaTree, including new nurseries for public and wholesale customers. Sign Up Innovatree in the MediaThe ...

04/14/2026

The NRRI team is at the SME MN Conference in Duluth! We look forward to sharing our latest research and catching up with industry partners. See NRRI presentations throughout the conference and stop by our booth ( #64) for a chat. See you at the DECC!

An iron ore industry research project that would have long-term benefits for the Iron Range is among highlights at a mining conference this week in Duluth.

04/07/2026

We are excited to announce the launch of the Joint Research Alliance for Innovative Materials and Processing for Advanced Critical Technologies (JRA-IMPACT).

This new initiative establishes a U.S. National Laboratory presence in Minnesota—marking a major step forward in connecting cutting-edge research with real-world next-generation industrial deployment.

IMPACT is a partnership between the University of Minnesota’s Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI) and the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR). Together, we’re building a national platform to accelerate innovation in critical technologies.

The Alliance will serve as an engine behind the Midwest Industrial Transformation Initiative (MITI), expanding a regional ecosystem focused on industrial demonstration, workforce development and supply chain innovation.

By bringing national lab capabilities into a place-based model, IMPACT strengthens Minnesota’s role in advancing U.S. competitiveness.

Read more: https://nrri.umn.edu/news/jra-impact

03/12/2026

Birders - check out the upcoming Wildlife Webinar Series: All About Birds. On April 1 researchers will present recent findings on bird ecology and population trends in Northeast Minnesota. Also: it's free! 😀🦉🌲💐🌤️

Wildlife Webinar Series: All About Birds
Learn how to manage your land for bird habitat in this FREE three part webinar series. Sessions will highlight how to assess your site and create conservation plans, as well as resources for promoting bird habitat. Sessions will be held 12-1 p.m. on April 1, 8 and 15.

https://extension.umn.edu/event/wildlife-webinar-series-all-about-birds-defining-habitat-researching-birds