SDState - Department of Natural Resource Management

SDState - Department of Natural Resource Management Natural Resource Management at SDSU The Department of Natural Resource Management at SDSU provides a diverse array of majors and career options for students.

SDSU offers five undergraduate programs focused on improving our understanding and management of natural resources. These include majors in Conservation Planning and Park Management, Ecology and Environmental Science, Range Ecology and Management, Natural Resource Law Enforcement, and Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences. We have the only higher education academic program in wildlife and fisheries scie

nces in South Dakota. Most graduate students in the Department pursue M.S. or Ph.D. degrees in either Biological Sciences or Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences. However, we have the flexibility to accommodate student needs. For example, some Range Science graduate students may wish to utilize the Animal Science graduate program, and we can accommodate such requests. The Department also hosts the South Dakota Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, the National Wetlands Inventory, several members of the Geographic Information Science Center of Excellence, and the South Dakota GAP Analysis Project. The Department also has numerous off-campus adjunct faculty representing various universities, agencies, and organizations. Departmental faculty members are active in a wide variety of natural resource professional organizations. Common examples include the American Fisheries Society, Ecological Society of America, Society for Range Management, Society of Wetland Scientists, and The Wildlife Society. We are housed within the Northern Plains Biostress Laboratory at SDSU, which was constructed in 1993.

🎓✨ Congratulations to Kassidy Frame on successfully defending her M.S. thesis!Kassidy, originally from Wisconsin, earned...
06/01/2026

🎓✨ Congratulations to Kassidy Frame on successfully defending her M.S. thesis!

Kassidy, originally from Wisconsin, earned her B.S. in Biology from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. During her undergraduate work, she investigated how reproduction and management locations influence invasive carp populations.

Building on this foundation, her M.S. research - under the guidance of Dr. Alison Coulter - examined how river ecosystems and native fish communities respond to invasive carp management 🐟🌊

Beyond research, Kassidy has been an incredible contributor to our department as a teaching assistant for the Ichthyology lab and NRM summer field course, and through her involvement in STEM outreach - sharing her passion for fish and aquatic ecology with future scientists 👩‍🔬💙

Congratulations again! 🎉👏

🌏 From farms to rainforests, our students explored the best of Australia in just two weeks!🐑 Hands-on learning at livest...
05/29/2026

🌏 From farms to rainforests, our students explored the best of Australia in just two weeks!

🐑 Hands-on learning at livestock operations
🌊 Visiting aquaculture sites and coastal cities
🌿 Experiencing diverse landscapes, from the Blue Mountains to tropical regions
🔥 Participating in meaningful cultural activities

Each experience offered new perspectives on agriculture, sustainability, and global connections 🌱💬

📸 Take a look at some highlights from an unforgettable journey featuring NRM students Chloe Boyda, Grace Carruthers, and Alaina Wolter, along with faculty leader Dr. Lora Perkins ✨

Australia Study Abroad Blog: https://bit.ly/3Q3tIas 💛💙

🎉🔔 Good News Bell is ringing! 🔔🎉Exciting news was shared in the department last Friday! Following our tradition, the NRM...
05/27/2026

🎉🔔 Good News Bell is ringing! 🔔🎉

Exciting news was shared in the department last Friday! Following our tradition, the NRM Good News Bell was rung in the main office and everyone gathered to celebrate together 🥳

👏 Alison Coulter has been promoted to Associate Professor.
👏 Josh Leffler, our Assistant Dept Head, has been promoted to Full Professor.

Even during the quieter season, people heard the bell and came out in small groups to offer their congratulations, turning it into a warm moment. 💛

Good news is always better when shared. Congratulations to both on these incredible achievements! 🎊✨

Honoring those who gave everything for our freedom.🟥⬜🟦⬜🟥 We remember.⬜🟦⭐🟦⬜ We honor.🟥⬜🟦⬜🟥 We are grateful.
05/25/2026

Honoring those who gave everything for our freedom.
🟥⬜🟦⬜🟥 We remember.
⬜🟦⭐🟦⬜ We honor.
🟥⬜🟦⬜🟥 We are grateful.

Throwback to Dr. Severud’s Wildlife Disease Lab fieldwork at Dakota Nature Park.👏 Students contributed to nationwide amp...
05/22/2026

Throwback to Dr. Severud’s Wildlife Disease Lab fieldwork at Dakota Nature Park.👏 Students contributed to nationwide amphibian disease surveillance through hands-on sampling and research.🐸

🌎✨ NRM hosted an Earth Day celebration on April 22 in the space between Biostress and Raven!Student clubs set up booths ...
05/20/2026

🌎✨ NRM hosted an Earth Day celebration on April 22 in the space between Biostress and Raven!

Student clubs set up booths throughout the event to promote their organizations, share activities and opportunities, and connect with students and visitors. 🌱🐾

A special thank-you to the CAFES Dean’s Office for sponsoring ice cream for everyone to enjoy! 🍦💚

Congrats, Isa!
05/15/2026

Congrats, Isa!

🎉 Congratulations to Elena Friedman on successfully defending her Master’s thesis in Biological Sciences with NRM Specia...
05/13/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Elena Friedman on successfully defending her Master’s thesis in Biological Sciences with NRM Specialization last Friday! 🎓🌱
Elena joined the NRM community in Summer 2024 and has quickly become known around the department not only for her research excellence, but also for her energy, kindness, and community spirit. From volleyball tournaments and themed outings to pumpkin carving festivities 🎃, she has helped bring people together throughout her time here.
Originally from Truckee, California 🏔️, Elena’s research focused on strengthening native seed systems in the Northern Great Plains. Drawing from 60 interviews with seed collectors, restoration practitioners, researchers, and Tribal members, her work highlights the importance of collaboration, public investment, and recognizing diverse perspectives in building resilient and inclusive prairie restoration efforts. 🌾
Elena worked closely with the Native Seed Partnership and Native Seed Initiative on campus and was co-advised by Dr. Lauren Redmore of the U.S. Forest Service. She also earned 2nd place in the university’s Three-Minute Thesis competition! 👏
Her advisor, Dr. Jennifer Zavaleta Cheek, shared:
“Great things are ahead for Elena because the world rewards people who are kind, enthusiastic, and thoughtful about complex problems. She is exceptionally well suited to make a meaningful impact in natural resource management.”
We are so proud of Elena and cannot wait to see all the amazing things ahead for her! 🐰💙💛

🎓✨ Graduation Celebration at NRM ✨🎓Last Friday, we continued one of our favorite NRM traditions with our annual Graduati...
05/11/2026

🎓✨ Graduation Celebration at NRM ✨🎓

Last Friday, we continued one of our favorite NRM traditions with our annual Graduation Reception at the Biostress Atrium 🌿💙💛. Graduating seniors gathered with their families to celebrate this important milestone, sharing SDSU ice cream 🍦 and spending time with NRM faculty and staff in a warm and joyful atmosphere.

The celebration carried into Commencement on Saturday 🎓, marking the official recognition of all the hard work, dedication, and growth our students have shown throughout their time here.

We are incredibly proud of each and every graduate and the journeys that brought them to this moment. As you step into your next chapter, we wish you continued success, fulfillment, and impact in all that you choose to pursue 🌎✨

Congratulations! 🎉

Congratulations to NRM’s Dr. BJ Schall who successfully defended his Ph.D. dissertation!🎉 BJ joined the department’s Ph....
05/08/2026

Congratulations to NRM’s Dr. BJ Schall who successfully defended his Ph.D. dissertation!🎉 BJ joined the department’s Ph.D. program in March of 2022 advised by Dr. Steve Chipps, with Dr. Alison Coulter serving as co-advisor. Coulter serving as co-advisor. He completed his Ph.D. while working full-time as a Fisheries Biologist with South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks. BJ’s doctoral work used stable isotope signatures from fish tissues (e.g., fins, muscle, eye lenses) to examine how flooding influences fish distribution and habitat use. He also used eye lens isotopes to distinguish age-0 walleye reared in hatchery ponds, natural ponds, and recirculating aquaculture systems, allowing managers to evaluate the contribution of different rearing strategies to recruitment. BJ is widely recognized for his strong quantitative skills and leadership in advancing stable isotope applications in fisheries research, frequently collaborating with and supporting other NRM graduate students. He has a rare ability to tackle complex problems, generate innovative ideas, and maintain enthusiasm for learning and his advisor’s advice is simply to keep doing what he does best. He consistently brings energy, productivity, and a positive, infectious attitude to everything he does!🐟

Address

1390 College Avenue, Box2140B
Brookings, SD
57007

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Website

https://linktr.ee/sdstate.nrm

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