NRES Online M.S. Blog

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.

The 2024 Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship application is now open. The fellowship provides a one-year, paid experience for highly qualified early career professionals to work on issues related to coastal, marine and Great Lakes science and policy in offices within the executive or legislative branch of government in Washington, D.C. The application deadline is February 16, 2023. 

It's time to bring together colleagues from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin to celebrate conservation in all its forms!  Join the excitement as Chicago Wilderness Alliance partners launch a Green Vision to help our region ensure there are healthy lands, waters, people, and planet so we can all thrive.  Panels and presentations will touch on community engagement, ecological restoration, climate equity, science communications, conservation career development, and more. There will be plenty of space for networking, learning, and enjoying each other's company in person!  The Congress 2022 Keynote speaker is Debra Shore, regional administrator for U.S. EPA Region 5.

Congress will be held on Thursday, November 3, 2022, from 1:00 pm to 6:30 pm CST at the UIC Forum Pavilion 725 W. Roosevelt Road,  Chicago, IL.  This is an in-person event.

Ticket are $25 and include access to all events plus snacks and beverages.  Chicago Wilderness Alliance offers a limited number of no-questions-asked scholarships for people who face a challenge in attending the Congress because of the registration fee.  The scholarship application form can be found on the website.

Learn more including the full schedule by visiting the Congress 2022 Website.