The ongoing challenge of environmental degradation of water and land has significant implications for the well-being of both current and future generations. The causes of this degradation are often complex, leading to consequences that can directly and indirectly affect various aspects of society in communities across different regions. Without a holistic perspective and a systematic approach, the strategies used to mitigate resource degradation tend to be piecemeal, resulting in less effective and efficient outcomes. Training resource managers with interdisciplinary perspectives and the capability to adopt a holistic approach that is key to preparing the next-generation of resource managers to face current and future environmental challenges. This is especially critical for rural communities with limited access to information, technology, and economic resources that could be used to monitor their current status and develop strategies to protect natural resources. This National Science Foundation Research Traineeship (NRT) award to the University of North Dakota (UND) will leverage expertise from the departments of Earth System Science and Policy, Geography and GIScience, Atmospheric Sciences, and Aviation, supported by Teaching & Leadership, Education, Health & Behavior Studies, and the Research Institute for Autonomous Systems at the UND, to develop a graduate training program focused on stakeholder-driven, faculty-guided, and student-led research regarding sustainable mana