Mr. Paul E. Nyren

- Range ecology
- Range fertilization
- Range management
- Natural resources management
- Evaluation of Perennial Biomass Crops for Energy
- Use of GIS software to analyze aerial infrared photographs that were used to monitor range production and condition
- Rangeland equipment research
- Conservation reserve program research (CRP)
- Nature-based tourism

As director of the CGREC, Paul is engaged in every aspect of research and administration. He is a strong advocate of new and innovative technologies to restore and improve grassland communities. Paul was one of the first range scientists at NDSU to useGIS to monitor rangeland condition and production. In addition, he is involved with a wide variety of research projects including grazing systems which examine several levels of grazing intensity, CRP research, wildlife management, soil quality and runoff, range equipment research, buckbrush control, range plant ecology, economic comparison studies of cropping versus grazing, etc.

Established a model ranch enterprise on the CGREC to demonstrate best management practices (BMPs) in the areas of grazing management and resource monitoring, livestock management and nutrition, and forage production which provides a reference for maximizing economic returns through a system of whole farm management for producers in the Northern Great Plains. The program provides an economic analysis of livestock management "from birth to plate."

Paul is project leader for a new research study which began in 2006 to evaluate perennial biomass energy crops in North Dakota. This 10-year study was initiated to:
1. Evaluate the agronomic practices necessary to maximize the production of various grass and legume crops for biomass production.
2. Determine the effect of perennial biomass energy crops on carbon sequestering and other soil physical properties.
3.Provide an economic analysis of the production costs.

Developed an International Scholars Program at Central Grasslands REC in cooperation with the Chinese Academy of Science Institute of Botany in Beijing, China and the Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology in Tibet. This program began in 2004 and will continue to 2011. This agreement permits Chinese scientists and their students to conduct research at CGREC near Streeter, North Dakota. This plan, named the Visiting Scholars Program, allows for an exchange of scientific inquiry. Since 2004, graduate-level students from China have studied various aspects of the mixed-grass prairie at CGREC. Using the Center's extensive database of weather, vegetation, and soil information, along with livestock and rangeland management data collected over many years, these students are able to conduct a variety of studies and contribute to the understanding of the area's ecology.

He has authored or co-authored 30 research publications covering areas such as grazing systems, range ecology, complementary grazing, interseeding, range fertilization, alfalfa management, and equipment design.

1. Develop the Biomass Crops for Energy program to include participation of private industry.

2. Develop a strategic plan which will include an enhanced effort in natural resource management. This effort will include a program to enhance work with scientists from other agencies and universities within and outside of North Dakota. Extend the current International Scholars Program to include scientists from India, Africa, and Australia.

3. Development of a program which will assist producers who wish to take advantage of the increased interest in nature based tourism in central North Dakota. Programs will be initiated to assist the citizens of the region in development of habitat that will increase the types of wildlife that is of interest to tourists. Programs will also be developed to train and assist with bird identification and locations for bestobservation of rare non-game birds.

1. Reduce dependence on foreign energy sources by maximizing production of perennial biomass energy crops .

2. Protect and improve the natural resources to insure sustainability. Currently, there are over five million acres of native rangeland in the in the Coteau area of ND which equates to 44 percent of the state's rangeland and produces 42 percent of the state's livestock.

Over 25 percent of North Dakota's population is employed directly by Agriculture or in agriculture related business. Annual cash receipts for agriculture in the Coteau averages $1.2 billion dollars.

3. Assist regional entrepreneurs with development of a viable nature based tourism industry. Annual cash receipts for tourism in the Coteau averages $1.3 billion annually.