The management of school trust lands in North Dakota is entrusted to the ND Department of Trust Lands, under the direction of the Board of University of School Lands.
The Board was given this authority in 1889 by the North Dakota Constitution. The Board meets monthly, unless there is insufficient business to require a meeting or Board members schedules require a change in meeting dates. The regular meeting day is the last Thursday of the month, however, Board members' schedules may sometimes require changes in meeting dates.
Board Meetings
In accordance with NDCC 15-01-03, the Board of University and School Lands schedules meetings for the last Thursday of each month. In the event a quorum (three of the five members) is not available, or there is not sufficient business to warrant calling a meeting, regularly scheduled meetings may be canceled or rescheduled.
The Secretary of State is the repository for notices of public meetings of state agencies. By visiting the North Dakota Public Meeting Notices website, you can browse scheduled meetings for all governing bodies of state agencies, boards, and commissions; subscribe to receive email notifications and RSS feeds of meetings; add meetings to your calendar; and map the location of the meetings.
Beginning on September 24, 2025, The Board of University and School Lands will post video from their meetings on YouTube. Subscribe to follow.
Upcoming Events
View All Events
Department of Trust Lands Fall 2025 Surface Lease Auctions
Tuesday, September 23, 2025 at 08:00 am - Thursday, October 23, 2025 at 05:00 pm
Categories: SurfaceThe Department of Trust Lands will hold fall surface lease auctions throughout North Dakota in September & October. The fall auction schedule and tract listing will be posted here as soon as it is finalized.
Fall 2025 Auction County Advertisements
Surface Leasing - Frequently Asked Questions
Check out our new customer portal to search for current lease information - Surface Lease Agreements · North Dakota Land Portal.
Upcoming Oil & Gas Lease Auction beginning October 7, 2025, and closing October 14-17, 2025.
Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at 08:00 am - Friday, October 17, 2025 at 05:00 pm
Categories: MineralsThe next Department of Trust Lands oil & gas lease auction will open October 7, 2025. Bidding will close October 14-17, 2025.
Oil & Gas Lease Auction Land Unit List
Register to Bid with Efficient Markets/EnergyNet
Existing & new subscribers to our email list: Although existing subscribers will continue to receive emails about oil & gas lease auctions and other Minerals Management Division updates through the close of the upcoming auction, please create an account on our new customer portal and select your Notification Preferences on your profile to continue to receive our emails. We also welcome new subscribers on our customer portal!
Board of University & School Lands Regular Meeting October 30, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Thursday, October 30, 2025 at 09:00 am - 12:00 pm
Categories: Land BoardThe Board of University & School Lands will meet for the next regular meeting on Thursday, October 30th, 2025 at 9:00 AM in the Governor's Conference Room and online over Microsoft Teams.
All members of the public are invited to attend either in person or online.
Agenda Materials to be provided upon availability.
Microsoft Teams Need help?
Dial in by phone
+1 701-328-0950,,356459616# United States, Bismarck
Phone conference ID: 356 459 616#