This dynamic initiative aims to honor the rich cultural heritage of Minnesota, drawing inspiration from the African American-led labor struggles that have shaped the state and linking history to the stories of today's fight for economic empowerment. The project comprises two main components: 1) Legacy Gallery The creation of the physical and online Legacy Gallery (composed of videos, photography, oral history recordings, paintings, and other media) will enable us to artistically capture and share the legacy of African American labor struggles and the stories of success of TCR alumni.
The Media Education team we will share resources with the community so they can tell their own stories through youth and adult programs. These programs focus on photography, audio and visual storytelling, and advanced cinematography skills.
Low-levels of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contaminate water and soil in Minnesota. We propose to identify enzymes and microbes that break down PFAS, making them non-toxic.
Farhia Omar will create a collection of 10 pieces of artwork exploring trauma and she will hold three workshops in the exhibition space; two for adult audiences and one for youth 18 years and younger on the role of art in healing and storytelling. In the student workshops, she will be facilitating the creation of art as a tool to overcome trauma.
Increasing energy conservation and efficiency in residences can play a significant role in Minnesota's goals for energy savings and carbon emissions reductions. The Center for Energy and Environment (CEE), a Minneapolis-based nonprofit organization, is using this appropriation to develop and implement innovative residential energy efficiency programs. Programs will be demonstrated in eight cities: Apple Valley, Austin, Duluth, Minneapolis, Owatonna, Park Rapids, Rochester, and St. Paul.
MNHS strives to attract high school interns from underrepresented communities to encourage engagement and diversify the institution. Legacy funds supported four high school-age gallery assistants in spring 2016. These students received professional on-the-job experience interacting with visitors in the History Center galleries and at public events. Students contributed more than 300 hours to MNHS. Fifty percent of these students were from communities of color.
The Summer Legacy program supported four gallery assistants, beginning in FY16 and continuing into FY17.
Over 527,000 acres of unmanaged woodlands are being used for livestock grazing throughout Minnesota. Managing these grazed woodlands based on the use of best management practices can provide environmental and economic opportunities, including improved water quality, maximized forage production, and higher-quality timber. The best management practices involved are commonly used in other parts of the country with other types of ecosystems, but have not been widely adopted in Minnesota due to a lack of knowledge and experience with implementing them within the ecosystems of Minnesota.
The Stearns County SWCD Enhanced Shoreline Restoration, Infiltration and Protection Program has accelerated natural resource restoration projects in Stearns County. The project partners are assisting in recruiting landowners to implement shoreline restoration, erosion control and infiltration projects to protect and improve water quality as well as fish and wildlife habitat. We have prioritized projects based on location and impact. The site will be ranked as a higher priority if the it is located near a body of water that has been listed as impaired or has an approved TMDL.
We will generate genome sequences of bacteria growing in wastewater treatment bioreactors, allowing us to improve phosphorus and nitrogen removal from wastewater in Minnesota and to discover novel pharmaceutical compounds.
This project will utilize a combination of wetland restoration, invasive tree removal, seeding, and prescribed fire, to improve habitat quality, diversity, and productivity on Wildlife Management Areas and Waterfowl Production Areas within the prairie and metro regions of Minnesota.
This program enhanced 10,583 and restored 198 acres for a total impact of 10,781 acres by restoring wetlands, removing invasive trees, seeding prairies, prescribed burning, and installing infrastructure for conservation grazing. These practices took place on Waterfowl Production Areas (WPA's), and Wildlife Management Areas (WMA's) in the prairie, metro and the forest/prairie transition regions of Minnesota. We exceeded our acre goals in every category, brought $45,768.51 in match funds, and are returning $833.50 in funds.
The Asian American Business Resilience Network will enhance capacity building grant writing skills tailored for federal grants to effectively raise funding. This project has these key objectives: 1) train and assist staff on grant writing and reporting with emphasis on federal grant writing; 2) hire experts to conduct federal compliance training; 3) obtain consultation to develop, monitor, and communicate fundraising campaign including fundraising strategies and planning; 4) seek partnerships with organizations experienced in securing federal funding; 5) technology integration.
