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 […]
Sustainable Development Goal: 15 Life on Land
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 […]
Read More… from Emerald Ash Borer: Monitoring and Management
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 […]
Read More… from Development of a Nonprofit Group for Winnishiek County Conservation Board
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 […]
Watertown Whitewater Park
Investigate the feasibility of removing or restructuring the dam on the Crow River to enhance the fishery in the river and create a whitewater recreation attraction in the City of Watertown. Read the final student report delivered to the local gov/community partner. Resilient Communities Project Contact Info University Faculty Contact Ingrid Schneider Forest Resources Local […]
Restoring Our Edge (Mississippi Shoreline Plan)
Identify strategies and best practices for reducing soil loss and erosion along the Mississippi River, including public or private partnerships and financial assistance available to help impacted shoreline owners. Read the final student report delivered to the local gov/community partner. Resilient Communities Project Contact Info University Faculty Contact Fernando Burga Public Affairs Assistant Professor hfburga@umn.edu […]
Read More… from Restoring Our Edge (Mississippi Shoreline Plan)
Conservation Development Standards
Examine the City of Minnetonka’s conservation development scorecard to assess its effectiveness in evaluating previous and proposed conservation developments in terms of protecting natural environmental features, preserving open space, protecting natural habitats for wildlife, and maintaining rural character; recommend strategies for using the scorecard to increase social acceptability of conservation development and for implementing the […]
Mississippi Riverfront Greenway Restoration
Evaluate existing restoration activities in the Mississippi River Critical Area Corridor and recommend an overall restoration strategy or plan that builds on these efforts and incorporates additional public access opportunities. Read the final student report delivered to the local gov/community partner. Resilient Communities Project Contact Info University Faculty Contact Susan Galatowitsch Horticulture Science Local Government […]
Invasive Species Management and Environmental Education
Design an education and outreach approach for Rosemount residents to inform them about invasive species and how to manage them on private property Read the final student report delivered to the local gov/community partner. Resilient Communities Project Contact Info University Faculty Contact Ken Gilbertson Environmental Education and Communication Local Government / Community Contact Tom Schuster […]
Read More… from Invasive Species Management and Environmental Education
Ecological Restoration
(ESCI 470, fall 2016) recommended methods by which Edmonds can minimize stormwater impacts upon the Edmonds Marsh Read the final student report delivered to the local gov/community partner. Sustainable Cities Partnership Contact Info University Faculty Contact James Helfield Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry Local Government / Community Contact Shane Hope Director, Planning & Development Services, Edmonds […]