Welcome to NRM!

Greetings readers! I have created this blog to educate you on the field of Natural Resource Management as well as inform you on how to get involved with the great outdoors.

Natural Resource Management (NRM) is exactly what it sounds like; its main focus is to manage natural resources on local, state, and federal levels. It can be broken down into many different categories including: soil, water, land, plant, and wildlife management.

                        

There are many different jobs pertaining to natural resources. One might focus on the biotic side and work specifically with animals ranging from studying migration patterns, population increases/decreases, protecting endangered species, etc. Or one might focus more on the land aspect in regards to soil testing, erosion issues, or drainage techniques. Another common job in the natural resources field is monitoring streams and rivers. As you may have noticed, it is hard to manage and focus on one aspect. For example, runoff from farmland causes new water and new nutrients (found naturally and in fertilizers/pesticides) to enter a stream. Those greatly affect the plants and micro/macro organisms living in the stream.

Here is a list of some state and federal agencies regarding Natural Resources Management:

• Department of Health (DOH)
• Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
• United States Dept. of Agriculture (USDA)
• Natural Resources Conservation Program (NRCS)
• US Arm Corps of Engineers (USACE)
• US Forest Service (USFS)

I have lived in North Dakota my entire life. Thanks to the influences of my father, brother, and uncles I have had the great opportunity to enjoy and learn a lot about the land and how fragile it can be when not managed properly. Ever since I was a little kid out hunting and fishing with my family, I have grown to love our natural environment. I chose to study NRM because I want to be able to protect and give back to the environment that so many people abuse and take for granted. With that being said, who likes to work inside a stuffy office 40 hours a week when you can enjoy the outdoors and work at the same time.

Nature's pretty neat!

 Natural Resources are very important and need to be managed to avoid depletion of these resources. Everyone is dependent on natural resources one way or another. Whether you are a farmer and are dependent on a reliable water source in order to make a living and grow crops/cattle, or on the other side, dependent on the farmer to grow the crops so you can eat. Natural resources are essential for everyday life.

If you are sitting there thinking, "Why do I care about this? I'm going to make piles of cash and live in the big city. I won't have to worry about rivers, streams, lakes, crops, wildlife, or wetlands. I'm Rich!" Well, here are a few questions to think about: 

• "Do I like breathing clean air? 
• "Do I like drinking fresh water?" 
• "Do I enjoy a nice juicy steak with a side of mashed potatoes and corn on the cob?" 

If you answered yes to any of those questions then you should care about how we manage our natural resources. What I'm trying to get at here is that if you are not a farmer, hunter, fisherman, etc. these issues should still be important to you. Everyone should care about our natural resources and understand that if we misuse these valuable commodities we may never get a chance to enjoy them ever again.

"Our livelihood is intimately tied to the food we eat, water we drink and the places we recreate. That's why we have to promote responsibility and conservation when it comes to our natural resources." Mark Udall

I've been studying NRM for about three years now and have noticed there are a few common misconceptions about the field. One thing I've noticed is most people automatically come to the conclusion that we all grew up on a farm. Another misconception is people thinking we are all about "Going Green." That is most definitely not the case. We believe in all energy sources, including fossil fuels.

Whether or not you enjoy the outdoors, I'd be willing to bet you enjoy your natural resources. I encourage you to become more aware and get involved in preserving these delicate valuables. We must work together by doing this; these problems cannot be solved by individuals. If you are a fan of clean air, fresh water, and sustainable food supplies, you are a fan of natural resources. 

Thanks for reading,

Corey Bjoralt