Natural Resources Research Institute

A new national-level study finds 84% of U.S. coastal wetlands are gradually submerging as rising sea levels outpace sediment buildup.

Research along the three coasts of the contiguous United States reveals that our most valuable coastal buffers—which protect infrastructure, shield communities from storm surges, and support local economies—are losing ground, with the Gulf Coast hit hardest.

The encouraging news? Up to 73% of these wetlands may still have room to migrate inland, provided we implement smart land management solutions like restoring sediment flows and protecting open pathways.

Read the full study highlights from American Geophysical Union:
https://news.agu.org/press-release/rising-seas-are-swallowing-the-vast-majority-of-us-coastal-wetlands/

Can wildfire smoke impact the fish in Minnesota's lakes?

A look into how forest fires release stored mercury into watersheds—and what that means for local water quality and wildlife.

How do wildfires impact fish mercury levels in Minnesota lakes? As fires become more prevalent, scientists are just beginning to study their impact on the state’s aquatic ecosystems.

“Most advanced treatment systems could likely handle the impacts of smoke deposition on these lakes,” said Chris Filstrup, a lakes and streams scientist at the University of Minnesota's Natural Resources Research Institute. “But I think there’s more concern for smoke exposure in rural areas where maybe there isn’t an advanced treatment system, and what those impacts might look like.”

Read more: https://www.minnpost.com/drinking-water/2026/07/what-falling-wildfire-ash-means-for-minnesotans-who-get-their-drinking-water-from-lakes/

What falling wildfire ash means for Minnesotans who get their drinking water from lakes Water treatment facilities can handle wildfire pollution, but Minnesotans who use private drinking water systems may want to take precautions

“Driving innovation and economic opportunity across Minnesota is foundational to our mission as Minnesota’s land-grant university,” said University of Minnesota President Rebecca Cunningham. “This project brings together the best of the University and NRRI to deliver economic strength to, and drive future industrial innovation in, Minnesota. We are proud to be a vital part of this new capability, which will significantly benefit Minnesota, our nation and world.”
https://www.mesabitribune.com/news/nrri-launches-first-of-its-kind-dri-simulator-to-advance-next-generation-of-ironmaking/article_f7877b7c-3c46-488b-ba4e-2f10490a1cbd.html

NRRI launches first-of-its-kind DRI Simulator to advance next generation of ironmaking COLERAINE—The University of Minnesota’s Natural Resources Research Institute officially launched its new Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) Simulator on Thursday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at its Coleraine research facility, marking what

An extremely exciting day for NRRI yesterday as we unveiled our DRI Simulator at the Coleraine Labs.

The University of Minnesota’s Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI) is set to deliver a pilot-scale Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) Simulator in Coleraine. This globally unique research platform will give domestic iron ore producers and steelmakers advanced testing capabilities to optimize iron formulations, safeguard the long-term competitiveness of Minnesota’s iron resources, and de-risk major industrial investments.

Equipping Minnesota to lead the evolution of domestic industrial manufacturing, the simulator allows researchers and industrial partners to:

• Replicate real-world shaft furnace conditions across a wide range of temperatures, pressures, and gas mixtures.
• Perform pilot-scale testing at 20 times the scale of current industry standard tests.
• Analyze reduction chemistry in real-time using advanced gas monitoring.
• Evaluate next-generation technologies, including new feedstock blends, and regional ore feedstocks.

Developed with foundational support from the Minnesota State Legislature, key backing through the Department of Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (DIRRR), federal investment from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), and direct input from major steel industry leaders, this project shows what happens when vision and collaboration align.

Thank you to UMN President Rebecca Cunningham, the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), and our incredible engineering, construction, and industry partners for standing with us to make the impossible possible.

Read more: https://twin-cities.umn.edu/news-events/university-minnesotas-natural-resources-research-institute-unveils-first-its-kind-dri

Join our team! NRRI is hiring a Strategic Engagement Manager to serve as an operational leader within NRRI's Office of Strategic Partnerships & External Affairs, helping to translate institutional priorities into coordinated engagement strategies, relationships, and action.

Reporting to the Director of Strategic Partnerships & External Affairs, this role serves as a force multiplier across NRRI's growing portfolio of externally facing initiatives by stewarding relationships, coordinating strategic platforms, and maintaining continuity across complex multi-partner efforts.

The ideal candidate is highly organized, relationship-oriented, politically and publicly aware, and comfortable operating in fast-moving environments that span industry, Tribal Nations, government, philanthropy, academia, and communities.

Learn more: https://nrri.umn.edu/employment-opportunities

We are hiring in our minerals and metallurgy programs!

• Sr. Research Scientist – Mineral Processing & Metallurgy
• Assoc. Research Scientist – Mineral Processing & Metallurgy
• Post-Doc – High Temp Extractive Metallurgy

Find out more: https://bit.ly/4vz8M9W

Because of the current air quality conditions across Minnesota, the NRRI Duluth Open House scheduled for today, Friday, July 17, is canceled. We place the health of our employees and our guests first.

We will announce a reschedule date in the future. Thank you for your support!

⚠️ EVENT CANCELLATION NOTICE ⚠️

Because of the current air quality conditions in NE Minnesota, the NRRI Duluth Open House on Friday, July 17, is cancelled.

We place the health of our employees and our guests first. We will announce a reschedule date in the future. Thank you!