The Fort Ord Army base was decommissioned in 1994. The base was 28,000 acres large, roughly the same size as San Francisco. The Fort Ord Base Reuse Plan was developed to find new uses for the vacated land; 21,000 acres were designated for conservation while 7,000 acres were designated for development. The CSU Monterey Bay […]
Sustainable Development Goal: 15 Life on Land
Boone County Fish Barrier Design
The Don Williams Lake Spillway Fish Barrier Project will help to maximize stocking efforts by retaining stocked fish, preventing invasive species from migrating into the lake, and improve overall lake quality. This project, completed by University of Iowa students, will make Don Williams Lake a more attractive destination for fishing and recreation, bringing in more […]
Examining Effects of Climate Change on Tree Species
The City of Elk River has not investigated its position on climate change and adaptation or its potential effects on the ecology and landscape of the city. Using climate models, Conservation Biology students will explore potential effects of climate change on specific tree species, focusing on street trees. Students will examine how climate change may […]
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Wetland Buffer Assessment
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 […]
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 […]