News

Department of Forest Resources researcher Lee Frelich was recently featured on MPR’s All Things Considered with host Clay Masters to discuss the growing presence and impact of invasive jumping worms in Minnesota.

Department of Forest Resources researcher Mike Schuster joined MPR’s Minnesota Now with Nina Moini to highlight promising findings on combating invasive buckthorn in Minnesota woodlands. 

The annual University of Minnesota Twin Cities (UMN-TC) Arbor Day event was hosted at the Bell Museum’s Learning Landscape this year, bringing together Forest Resources, Horticultural Sciences, and UMN-TC Landcare for impactful tree planting and service learning.

Forest Resources Associate Professor Danielle Ignace is one of a select group of scientists behind a first-of-its-kind assessment of the health of nature across the U.S. The report, now named the Nature Record, is open for public comment and peer review by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

Natural Resources Science and Management (NRSM) PhD candidate Daniel Xie is exploring new approaches to modeling carbon in forests and aquatic ecosystems. Along with his advisor, he is reimagining current terrestrial carbon modeling methods while training an AI system to accurately identify aquatic carbon storage. Xie took a moment to describe his research questions, their role in spatial modeling, and future opportunities for carbon accounting methods.

Learn about the career of Professor Emerita Kristen Nelson, who retired this spring – though "retiring" feels like a loose term for a woman who has spent her career building soil labs in Nicaragua and mentoring scientists across the globe. 

Forest Resources Professor Ingrid Schneider’s research investigates the intersection of emerging technology and public acceptance in natural resource management. Focused on improving monitoring efficiency and visitor experiences, her research involves some unique companions: LoCO, an autonomous underwater vehicle, and Unitree Go1, a quadruped companion robot. Here, Schneider speaks with us about her work.

A new guidebook shares teachings from Manoomin knowledge holders and is intended for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous harvesters, stewards, and relatives who wish to learn from one another about the gifts Manoomin shares. It is the culmination of a broader research project and a two-year interview study guided by tribal and intertribal agencies dedicated to protecting and restoring Manoomin (the Ojibwemowin word for Psiη in Dakota), nibi (water), and all their relatives.

Over the past year, our department has come together to support one another and sharpen our shared vision for the future. Building on core strengths, we are moving forward with a clear focus on growth, partnership, and elevating the impact of our work. We have an exciting future ahead! Read more...

Dive into the Spring 2026 issue of Forest Scene, the biannual publication of the Department of Forest Resources.