This program will develop a centralized, integrated approach to managing existing data systems and incorporating new information needs into the integrated enterprise information system of data.
PROJECT OVERVIEW The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) manages over 2,135 state Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) and Aquatic Management Areas (AMA) containing over 1.3 million acres. This appropriation is enabling the DNR to develop an information system that will better facilitate the management of the state's WMAs and AMAs by helping to identify needs; prioritize, plan, and carry out related activities; track and assess results of activities; and make the information available to resource management professionals and the public.
Space and water heating and cooling consume 48% of all energy used in an average U.S. residence, and usually that energy is supplied by natural gas or fossil-fuel derived electricity. Geothermal heat pumps can reduce energy requirements for heating and cooling by up to 75%. However, traditional geothermal heat pumps are expensive and their performance is difficult to predict before installation.
In 2009 and 2010, more than 565 Minnesota teachers benefitted from professional developmentworkshops led by the Minnesota Historical Society. These innovative training opportunities included:
The Minnesota Historical Society is removing financial and geographic barriers for Minnesota teachers who want to attend professional development courses. With these funds, the Society is making enriched, affordable Minnesota history training opportunities available to teachers around the state through a series of professional workshops, conferences and immersion experiences. Limited subsidies are available for lodging, mileage and substitute teacher reimbursement.
This exhibit, on view May 23-Aug. 16, 2015, featured the Ebony Fashion Fair traveling fashion show that began in 1958. Over the next 50 years the fashion fair blossomed into an African American institution that raised millions for charity and helped the Johnson Publishing Company
Promising new carp deterrent system is tested in the Mississippi River along with an existing deterrent and predators; 99% blockage is suggested and Fish and Wildlife Service is a partner.
We will compile all available data for Minnesota Trumpeter Swans and use these sources to model historical population abundance and predict future population dynamics.
The Minnesota River Basin Hydrological Simulation Program FORTRAN (HSPF) models simulate sediment erosion and transport, however these models periodically need to be adjusted to be consistent with the most recent sources of information regarding sediment distribution and loading rates. The goal of this project is to refine the sediment source partitioning and simulation in the Minnesota River basin using all relevant available sources of information.
This project will develop a statewide parks and trails map in print and in a web-based form. The print map will be generalized and the web-based map will be more descriptive.
The aim of this project is to create public awareness of recreational opportunities and, as a result, increased visitation to these areas.
The Minnesota River Basin Hydrological Simulation Program FORTRAN (HSPF) models, which simulate flow and pollutant transport, need to be refined to be consistent with the most recent external sources of land use, hydrologic response, and surface flow attributions. The primary goal of this work is to refine the hydrologic calibration in the Minnesota River basin.
Interactive Video Conferencing, is a program created by the Minnesota Historical Society to provide interactive educational experiences for fourth through sixth grade students using new video-conferencing capabilities.
Using video conferencing technology, the History Live program enables museum educators to deliver high-quality, engaging history lessons to classrooms anywhere in Minnesota. Any location with an Internet connection can participate. In FYs14 and 15, MNHS added two new lessons and introduced an innovative new technique of integrating classroom and student technology, including smart phones, iPods, tablets and laptops into videoconferencing lessons. This technology allows students to access and explore digitized primary resources and answer questions via polls during the live video lessons.
This project will fix problems at the statewide/system level so that all Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy (WRAPS) reports and other projects will benefit by saving money and time as they will no longer have to do data reconciliation work.
Connecting Generations through History launched in November 2009 with 12 projects statewide, facilitated by Minnesota Historical Society staff, historic sites and public libraries.
Minnesotans of all ages are participating in deep intergenerational learning experiences by working together to document community history and create lasting products (exhibits, documentaries, audio tours etc.) that are shared with their communities. These intergenerational collaborations build relationships among members of older and younger generations, increase students" appreciation for Minnesota history and recognize the importance of older adults and their role in transmitting community history.
Minnesotans of all ages are participating in deep intergenerational learning experiences by working together to document and share community history. Major projects in FYs14 and 15 included a partnership with the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, in which the MNHS Teen Advisory Council supported Iraqi students in creating an exhibit about life in Baghdad. The teens met regularly via video-conference and had a private Facebook page. The exhibit created by the students was on display at the Minnesota History Center in December.
Digital maps were created depicting landscape change in Minnesota from the 1850s to today as well as maps that show predicted change in forest tree composition in northern Minnesota due to climate change.
This on-going program is for detecting, mapping and controlling invasive plant species and re-establishing native vegetation in their place on lands administered by the Division of Parks and Trails. Control of invasive plant species furthers progress to preserve and restore the quality of native plant communities on Parks and Trails lands as well as helps prevent the spread of invasives to new locations.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has been monitoring for contaminants of emerging concern in Minnesota's surface water since 2007. These contaminants include a wide variety of pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and other chemicals that can harm fish and wildlife and human health. One group of these chemicals, disinfection by-products, are formed when water is treated with chlorine. Some of these chemicals are cancer-causing and highly toxic.
Funding supports an Irrigation Specialist to develop guidance and provide education on irrigation and nitrogenbest management practices (BMPs). In this position, Dr. Vasu Sharma provides direct support to irrigators onissues of irrigation scheduling and soil water monitoring. She is collaborating on the development of new irrigationscheduling tools that help irrigators manage water and nitrogen resources more precisely. These tools help reducenitrogen leaching losses in irrigated cropping systems.
Valuable three-dimensional images of ancient rock carvings at Jeffers Petroglyphs will be safely stored and also made accessible to the general public thanks to ACHF funds. Funds allowed staff to catalogue the images and make them accessible at the Jeffers site and through the Minnesota Historical Society's Collections Online website. The images of individual carvings will serve as an archival record, a research and conservation resource and an educational tool
The purpose of the Jeffers Petroglyphs Data Access project is to store and provide access to 3D digital scans of the Jeffers Petroglyphs. A website devoted to the Jeffers Petroglyphs is being created to showcase the valuable three-dimensional images of ancient rock carvings recently catalogued by the Minnesota Historical Society Collections staff. This project carries out the critical second piece of the 2008 Jeffers Petroglyphs Conservation Project that was initially funded to remove lichen from the petroglyphs.
Ka Joog and Afro American Development Association (AADA) will partner to create a platform for Somali American youth to learn traditional Somali artistic mediums and present their learning through public presentations that will ignite community conversations. Art clubs and public forums will be implemented in Hennepin, Ramsey, and Clay counties and will promote inter-generational dialogue on taboo topics within the Somali American and cross-cultural acceptance with non-Somali audiences.
