The City of Elk River is home to 1256 wetlands, according to the National Wetland Inventory (NWI). Wetlands play a vital role in our community’s flood management, water quality, wildlife habitat, and aesthetics. In 2006, the city updated their ordinance to include a 25-foot Wetland Buffer Strip around all wetlands and stormwater ponds. The Buffer […]
Sustainable Development Goal: 15 Life on Land
Examining Land Use Scenarios for Vacant Lots
Students will examine the effects of various land use scenarios on stormwater runoff and pollinator habitat connectivity. Specifically, students will examine possible effects of the conversion of vacant lots in North Minneapolis to alternative uses (e.g., urban agriculture, pollinator habitat, raingardens, or a combination of uses) on stormwater runoff rates. Students will also examine optimal […]
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Enhancing Urban Pollinator and Beneficial Insect Habitat
Students researched bee diversity in Iowa City, compared it to bee diversity in prairie and agricultural settings, and related it to floral diversity in each setting. They used pan trapping and sweep netting methods to collect bees during their research. They offered recommendations to the City of Iowa City to help the area maintain and […]
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Blufflands Protection
Students in the Geographical and Sustainability Sciences program develop a methodology for mapping blufflands using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology. Read the final student report delivered to the local gov/community partner. Iowa Initiative for Sustainable Communities Contact Info University Faculty Contact David Bennett Geographical and Sustainability Sciences Local Government / Community Contact […]
Soil Analysis of Potential Urban Agriculture Areas within City Limits
Students in the Earth and Environmental Sciences program evaluated soils at the Chadek property, which was a vacant city lot located in the Morningside neighborhood of Iowa City, south of City High and a few blocks west of 1st Ave. Read the final student report delivered to the local gov/community partner. Iowa Initiative for Sustainable […]
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Economic Loss Due To The Emerald Ash Borer
Students in CED 309 will estimate the loss of ash trees to the emerald ash borer, explore strategies to maximize the value of removed trees, and analyze the impact of tree loss on property values and the perceptions of public investment in tree planting. Read the final student report delivered to the local gov/community partner. […]
Urban Ecology
Students in a geography class completed two separate projects for Iowa City. The first project focused on the ecological functions of roadside vegetation in Iowa City, including identification of roadside land area in the city that can be prioritized for re-planting and re-design as native vegetation areas. The second project focused on urban raptors. Students […]
Emerald Ash Borer: Monitoring and Management
Students conducted research on Iowa City’s ash trees to help prepare for the emerald ash borer (EAB) and develop a response plan. Students used various survey methodologies to assess current ash tree condition and coverage in Iowa City, including counting the trees, recording their GPS coordinates, and measuring their characteristics. Using this data, students created […]
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Development of a Nonprofit Group for Winnishiek County Conservation Board
Students created a marketing plan that presents research conducted on the blufflands than Winneshiek County aims to protect. This marketing plan details not only the research but also provides recommendations for developing and promoting a new friends group for protecting these lands. Read the final student report delivered to the local gov/community partner. Iowa Initiative […]
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Land Cover and Conservation
Overivew Consistent with the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy (INRS), Winneshiek sought to reduce phosphorus and nitrogen pollution from nonpoint sources. To achieve this goal, the County was interested in gaining information about land use and conservation practices in the area.Winneshiek County requested research on the following four topics: the presence, dimensions/acreage, and composition of existing […]