About Us

The Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology (FWCB) comprises a multidisciplinary group of scholars working on applied and fundamental problems related to the ecology of free-ranging wild animals, management of harvested and invasive species, and documentation and conservation of biodiversity.

Our Mission

To inspire and create solutions for biological conservation and management in a diverse and changing world.

Our Vision

  • A department that is an inclusive community creating, discovering, and sharing conservation knowledge
  • A diverse natural world based on evolving knowledge, sustainable use, and equitable practices

Our Values

  • Teaching and mentoring to build desired future capacity and outcomes
  • Conserving biodiversity for people and nature
  • Instilling diversity, equity, justice, inclusion, and access through conservation action
  • Developing meaningful solutions for contemporary problems
  • Advancing scientific knowledge through rigorous research

FWCB Partnerships

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FWCB Partnerships

Minnesota Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit

The Minnesota Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit emphasizes research on impacts of human activities on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems that are of state, regional, and national significance. The research program addresses not only the biological, but also social and economic aspects of both game and nongame fisheries and wildlife management in the context of maintenance of biological diversity, and integrity and sustainability of ecosystems. 

Unit Leader: Dr. David E. Andersen

Assistant Leader-Wildlife: Dr. David C. Fulton

Assistant Leader-Fish: Dr. Lynn Waterhouse

Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center

The Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center's mission is to develop research-based solutions that can reduce the impacts of aquatic invasive species in Minnesota by preventing spread, controlling populations, and managing ecosystems; and to advance knowledge to inspire action by others. MAISRC's vision is to be a vibrant and durable research enterprise that advances the knowledge and builds the capacity that Minnesota needs in order to reduce the impacts of aquatic invasive species on our cherished lakes, rivers, and wetlands.

MAISRC Director: Dr. Nick Phelps

Minnesota Master Naturalist Program

The mission of the Minnesota Master Naturalist Program is to promote awareness, understanding, and stewardship of Minnesota’s natural environment by developing a corps of well-informed citizens dedicated to conservation education and service within their communities. Minnesota Master Naturalist Volunteers are a motivated group of fun and interesting people: teachers, retired professionals, nature guides, hunters, eco-tour operators, farmers, and...YOU!

Ecological Restoration Training Cooperative

The Ecological Restoration certificate is a 150-hour program of five required courses, offered twice per year. The program provides early-career professionals with the practical skills and knowledge necessary to undertake the most common kinds of Midwestern restorations including revegetation of prairies, wetlands, lakeshores, forests and savannas.

These courses were developed in partnership with staff from several Minnesota state agencies who identified a critical need to train more restoration professionals to meet the growing demand for these skills. 

Minnesota Native Mussel Project

The Minnesota Native Mussel Project highlights the activities of several organizations working to manage mussel communities and conserve rare species. The United States holds the greatest diversity of freshwater mussels on the planet; a significant portion of which live in upper midwest rivers and streams.

Bell Museum Scientific Research & Collections

FWCB faculty work in collaboration with the Bell Museum to research and curate Amphibians & Reptiles (15,000+ specimens), Fish (41,000+ specimens) and Bird Collections (45,000+).