The North American Bear Center in Ely called on Minnesota North Natural Resources Technology (NRT) students to assist with hazard fuel reduction in the woodlands surrounding the facility. By removing dead balsam fir trees, students reduced the risk of wildfires and slowed the potential spread of the eastern spruce budworm.

The NRT program at Vermilion and Natural Resources programs at the Itasca campus prepare students for a wide variety of natural resource-related careers.