the Center for Water and the Environment. The visualization and spatial modeling techniques, along with state-of-the-art procedures developed in the GIS lab, give NRRI an advantage in the very competitive environment of procuring federally sponsored research grants and contracts. The Center's scientists are recognized around the world for their expertise in landscape ecology and the application of GIS technology for addressing natural resource questions. A field station was established in Ely, Minnesota, in 1999 to study microscopic algae (diatoms) as indicators of water quality and for paleolimnology research to understand environmental trends through analysis of sediment profiles. This site was closed in 2006 and incorporated into NRRI Duluth. NRRI acquired of drained peatland in Zim, Minnesota, in 1986. The Fens Research Site serves as an area for peatland restoration research and provides wetland mitigation credits for area road construction projects. The institute today After the retirement of long-time Director Michael Lalich in 2015, NRRI welcomed new Executive Director Rolf Weberg. Under his leadership, NRRI reorganized into five Research Platforms that work together to inform integrated, applied research. The Research Platforms are: Applied Ecology and Resource Management, Minerals & Metallurgy, Materials & Bioeconomy, Data Collection and Delivery, and Commercialization Services. Partial listing of current research activity Direct reduction technologies for pure iron nodules Use of taconite tailings as road aggregate and road patch Development of sampling methods for hard-bottom habitats in the Great Lakes Deployable emergency relief housing Hybrid poplars for the pulp and paper industry and biomass conversion Biomass and torrefaction for alternative energy Predicting effects of climate and land-use change on cold-water fish habitat in lakes Predicting effects of climate change on Minnesota's water resources Monitoring songbirds for increasing and decreasing species to inform forest management Research on threatened wildlife species in Minnesota Finding markets for recyclable materials deconstructed buildings Stream restoration and stormwater runoff reduction Lean manufacturing techniques for wood products industry Materials testing to help growing businesses Materials development from renewable waste resources References External links Natural Resources Research Institute Natural Resources Library (merged with UMD Kathryn A. Martin Library) A Proposal to Establish a Natural Resources Research Institute at the University of Minnesota Duluth Introducing...The Natural Resources Research Institute (in 1985) Research institutes in Minnesota University of Minnesota Duluth