The Natural Resources Institute integrates knowledge gained from the natural and social sciences to develop holistic perspectives on environmental and natural resources management problems. Research conducted at the NRI may have an economic, social, or ecological perspective, or may integrate all three disciplines.

The mission of the Natural Resources Institute is to create, preserve, communicate and apply interdisciplinary knowledge in areas of resource and environmental management, and thereby contribute to the well-being of the people of Manitoba, Canada and the World. Students learn through course-based and hands-on experiences such as field courses, design and management of real-world environmental projects, or field research.