NRES Online M.S. Blog

Land & Ethic Nature Reserve in Marengo, Indiana is hosting a workshop on wetlands restoration July 30-31, 2026. Internationally recognized wetland designer, Tom Biebighauser will conduct this hands-on workshop aimed at demonstrating practical, low-cost techniques to create or restore natural and native wetland habitats. Early bird registration ($195) ends May 1st.

The Conservation Partnership and Engagement Specialist is responsible for developing and implementing community engagement strategies that build off existing programs to connect and foster relationships between local communities and regional TNC projects and preserves. This position oversees multiple grantmaking and capacity-building programs that align with TNC’s equitable conservation strategies through the statewide Volunteer Stewardship Network (VSN) and the Thrive Outside program in Chicago.  

Dr. Lauren Watkins, who earned her M.S. through the NRES online M.S. program in 2013, is featured on episode 229 of Environmental Professionals Radio podcast, entitled, "Using Psychology to Solve Environmental Problems, Working Directly with Communities, and Managing Conflict and Tough Conversation with Lauren Watkins".  Listen in your favorite podcast app!

Check out the NRES online graduate courses offered in Spring 2026.

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced 12 new student trainee positions in various locations around the U.S. These positions are available under the Pathways Student Internship Authority, which provides paid work opportunities in federal agencies while in school (including grduate students) and the possibility for conversion to a full-time, permanent employee after graduation. 

USDA Forest Service Recruiter Visit

Monday, September 25th
12:00-1:30 pm
Log into Zoom with your Illinois email
Meeting ID: 878 7584 4240    Password: 691230

Three summer courses begin June 12th!

• NRES 409 Fishery Ecology and Conservation 
• NRES 499 Principles of Applied Environmental Science

Not only is this program a great way for undergraduate and graduate students to "try on" federal service through a paid internship, it comes with a direct hire benefit. Once students complete their degree program, they are eligible for direct conversion to a permanent federal position. 

The variety of projects is pretty spectacular: from grizzly bear education/outreach to monitoring herbicide effects on threatened butterflies to integrating traditional ecological knowledge in developing habitat restoration models to mapping and developing resources related to post-Civil War African American tenant farming on a National Wildlife Refuge.