Natural Resources News provides timely information, featured events, helpful resources and deep dives into natural resources and environmental issues.
![Cindy Gackle and her dog Murphy](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/AISvolunteer-CindyGackle.jpg?h=a6cd8ba6&itok=ntMxUCfl)
Cindy Gackle is a perfect example of how you don’t have to know everything or dedicate all your time to a cause. As long as you are committed, you can still make an impact.
![Spruce budworm larvae on a tree branch.](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/esb%20fig1.jpg?h=ee47e1ce&itok=8LOTX8HR)
When spruce budworm eats the buds of a tree, the tree becomes stressed. While trees often can withstand this stress, the risk of tree death increases when a drought occurs in addition to spruce budworm feeding.
![Heidi Roop](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/Heidi_Roop.jpg?h=7045bf57&itok=n3lENflR)
Heidi Roop will support President Biden’s climate agenda by helping deliver federal climate-related data, tools, resources and services to help the nation manage climate risks and implement solutions.
![Mark Seeley presented a 2024 Climate Adaptation Award to Mia Rocha.](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/MarkSeeley-MiaRocha-mcap.jpg?h=463c16c1&itok=4DgP82gI)
The University of Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership (MCAP) honored six leaders in climate adaptation from across the state, recognizing exceptional achievements in agriculture, community organizing, social justice and the arts.
![Person standing in a lake by the shore, fishing.](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/white-earth-fishing.jpg?h=afc60946&itok=26ZHPX78)
The University of Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership (MCAP) recently launched an interactive online tool that offers highly localized future climate information for Minnesota.
![Crown rust on a buckthorn leaf.](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/crown-rust-buckthorn.jpeg?h=89843f9c&itok=yD5Fm_NA)
Imagine a future in which introducing fungi to a site helps control buckthorn and keeps these aggressive and ecosystem-altering plants in check. Researchers and funders are hoping to make this dream a reality.
![Brian Raney standing on a frozen lake.](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/Brian-Raney-AIS-volunteer.jpg?h=e5b293e2&itok=4qGUo1jR)
Flexible volunteer opportunities allow Raney to tailor his service around his schedule and make contributing to citizen science a regular activity.
![Dog-day cicada on a plant stem.](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/dog-day-cicada-cappert.jpg?h=41148d0d&itok=5mZp3TZp)
Parts of the country are set to see the emergence of high numbers of cicadas. What’s all the buzz about, and should Minnesotans be investing in earplugs?
![Garden plots with bare soil.](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/community-garden-spring.jpg?h=1f10bf80&itok=SMCh3WR0)
Our soils and soil fertility have been impacted by this past winter’s unusual temperatures and moisture patterns. Planting seeds and transplants this season should focus on average last-frost dates rather than soil temperatures.
![A quaking aspen branch in spring.](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/quaking-aspen.jpg?h=6b31535f&itok=DDGTrR8M)
A resistance-focused climate adaptation approach to retain the current state of woodlands involves creating areas called refugia to protect species that may not perform well with climate change.