MNHS continued the Legacy Research Fellowships program in FY15 with a productive second year of adding to the body of knowledge and interpretation of Minnesota's pre- and post-statehood history.
Four scholars were selected as research fellows. Three scholars received $5,000 awards and one received a $1,000 award. The Legacy Research Fellows used the Gale Family Library at the Minnesota History Center to research their topics, which included:
Restores 420 acres of high-quality forests at Itasca, Jay Cooke, Scenic, Forestville Mystery Cave and Wild River State Parks and Greenleaf Lake State Recreation Area.
Amphipods are wetland invertebrates that are critical wildlife food and indicators of water quality. We will assess reasons they are missing from Prairie Potholes and unique methods to restore amphipods.
Ecological restorations aim to aid the recovery of native ecosystems that have been degraded or lost. However, very seldom are restorations evaluated past the initial implementation phase to determine whether the efforts achieved their goals and the funds spent were a strategic conservation investment. Monitoring and evaluation of restorations can teach what works and what does not in order to advance restoration practices and increase the likelihood of success for future projects.
This project restored fish passage from the Red River to 50 miles of quality upstream Lake Sturgeon and Walleye habitats in the Sand Hill River by modifying four structures and modifying the Sand Hill Lake Dam which currently block access. It also enhanced in stream habitat on the SH River.
This project will extend and update the lake water clarity database of Landsat-estimated lake clarity. Outcomes include enhance capability, ease of use and effectiveness of the Lake Browser and database and add to the Lake Browser.
MNHS has in its care over 100,000 cubic feet of hard-copy government records and manuscript collections dating from the territorial period to the present. To access the vast majority of these holdings, researchers must currently visit the History Center or make other special arrangements. In FY16, MNHS is piloting a unique "scan on demand" service for researchers that will allow them to request, either online or in person, the digitization of specific materials with the resulting images being put online for wide public access.
The goal of this work order is to make additions and enhancements to the Scenario Analysis Manager (SAM) tool best management practice (BMP) database and the methodologies used for the application of the BMPs.
This work will involve enhancing the capability of the Scenario Analysis Manager (SAM) tool to run more complex point source alternative scenarios, produce results and output in line with the recently developed Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategies (WRAPS) report standards, and general enhancements requested by users.
This work order will address the need for technical support and updates to the Scenario Analysis Manager (SAM) tool and PATH software based on training feedback. The trainings will include exercises focusing on improved and added functionality as well as the enhanced best management practice (BMP) database.
The goal of this project is to provide three training sessions for the Scenario Analysis Manager (SAM) software and one training session for the Processing Application Tool for the Hydrologic Simulation Program FORTRAN (HSPF) model.
RESPEC will use the Processing Application Tool for HSPF (PATH) to construct the remaining 22 Scenario Application Manager (SAM) projects. SAM assists in understanding watershed conditions, and identifying priority areas and BMPs that will provide the greatest water-quality benefits for each dollar invested. The value of the tool is in its simplification of complex hydrologic and water quality model applications into transparent estimates of the significant pollutant sources in watershed.
The goal of this work order is to enhance the Scenario Analysis Manager (SAM) support tool in order to represent best management practices in a more physically based manner, improve point scenario representation and analysis, and support MPCA with training in the application of the enhanced functionality.
This funding will improve our collection of artifacts representing Minnesota's cultural heritage and create new forms of statewide cultural heritage educational opportunities for audiences of all ages.
To learn more about the Science Museum of Minnesota, click here.
Scientific and Natural Area (SNA) habitat restoration and improvements (1000+ acres), increased public involvement, and strategic acquisition (700+ acres) will conserve Minnesota's most unique and rare resources for everyone's benefit.
American Indian ceremonies were held at Historic Fort Snelling in November 2015, marking the 150th anniversary of the execution of Sakpedan (Shakopee) and Wakanozhanzhan (Medicine Bottle) at Fort Snelling. They were convicted by a military commission for their participation in the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862. MNHS provided a community meal for the Dakota community immediately following the ceremonies.
This proposal will accomplish 25,000 acres of shallow lake and wetland enhancement and restoration work throughout Minnesota, with a focus on the prairie region. The proposal is comprised of three components: (1) twenty-seven projects to engineer and/or construct wetland infrastructure or to enhance wetlands and shallow lakes; (2) funding for the existing Roving Habitat Crew in Region 4 to continue wetland and shallow lake enhancement work, and; (3) funding to base a new Shallow Lakes program specialist in Windom to accelerate shallow lakes work in the prairie region of SW Minnesota
The Minnesota State Legislature asked the Minnesota Humanities Center to award arts and cultural heritage grants to the Somali community through the competitive grant process. Legacy funds are appropriated to the Humanities Center to support such work. A small portion of each appropriation was reserved by the Humanities Center for direct expenses related to administering the grant. Should any portion of this reserve be unused, the difference will be awarded to the respective organizations.
MNHS continued its previous collaboration with Macalester College and the Somali community to add
an additional 10 interviews to those that have already been completed. The new interviews focused on
women's experiences.
Construct new well to provide safe water for the public to be in compliance with the Revised Total Coliform Rule and Safe Drinking Water Act Requirements. Seal old unused well to prevent potential contaminants from entering groundwater for other wells dra
Minnesota Department of Health has been collaborating with cities and other community water suppliers since 1993 to develop and implement source water protection plans. Support from the Clean Water Legacy expands and accelerates the number of water suppliers that can be assisted each year in undertaking protection planning and implementation activities.
This program aims to meet emerging and unique project needs in the Minnesota State Parks and Trails system. The program has initiated activities around Buffalo herd management and has plans for other activities to be determined.
