Energy storage systems for farms will be developed using wind-generated ammonia. Novel ammonia fuel systems will be tested in a farm grain dryer and engine generator displacing fossil fuels.
MAISRC will launch 16-20 high-priority projects aimed at solving Minnesota's AIS problems using a rigorous, prioritized, and collaborative process. Results will be delivered to end-users through strategic communication and outreach.
Evaluate effective ways to protect soil from erosion in sugarbeet production, with the long-term goal of slowing soil degradation, nutrient loss, and water quality.
This project helps municipal wastewater plants, landfills, and compost facilities protect human health and the environment by developing strategies to manage per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in land-applied biosolids.
We will collect data on occupancy and range of rare pollen specialized bees and their habitat preference to determine status and conservation strategies
Grants to organizations in Minnesota to develop enterprises, supply chains, and markets for continuous living cover crops and cropping systems in the early stage of commercial development.
We will determine the distribution, relative density, and spatial occupancy patterns of 3 small weasel species in Minnesota to fill key knowledge gaps in weasel distribution and status in Minnesota.
We will determine the distribution, status, and habitat use of fishers in the southern half of Minnesota to provide the information needed to manage fishers in this region.
Can we maximize native wetland restoration while minimizing impact on human land use? Evaluating the water-resources impact of targeted agricultural ditch removal on ecosystem restoration.
We will research : 1) interest in and preferences for experiences with nature and wildlife among diverse communities, and 2) barriers to more robust engagement with wildlife resources and activities.
Minnesota’s natural resource professional workforce is much less diverse than its citizenry and many other professional fields. The benefits of a more diverse workforce are many, including the ability of organizations to increase innovation and creativity, attract higher qualified candidate pools, and ensure services that meet the diverse interests and needs of all citizens.
Minnesota’s natural resource professional workforce is much less diverse than its citizenry and many other professional fields. The benefits of a more diverse workforce are many, including the ability of organizations to increase innovation and creativity, attract higher qualified candidate pools, and ensure services that meet the diverse interests and needs of all citizens.
This project supports continuing development of County Groundwater Atlases for approximately three years. The goal is to provide this valuable water and resource management information infrastructure to every county.
Scientific and Natural Area (SNA) habitat restoration/enhancement (~600 acres), increased public involvement, and strategic acquisition (~250 acres) will conserve Minnesota?s most unique and rare resources for everyone's benefit.
There are currently more than 21,000 miles of drainage ditches and many thousands of miles of subsurface tile located throughout Minnesota and overseen by over 100 different local drainage authorities. Historically public records of these drainage systems have been maintained primarily in hard copy following differing protocols depending on local requirements. However, this antiquated approach limits the usability and accessibility of public drainage records creating various challenges for drainage management efforts.
Mine stockpiles are unproductive due to soil deficiencies of organic matter, nutrients, and soil organisms, which are essential to supporting healthy plant growth, diversity, and succession. Waste products, including biosolids, composts, and dredged materials, have the potential to be used to address some of these deficiencies and make the lands productive again.
The Minnesota Zoo will develop research-supported strategies to engage the public in specific conservation behaviors they can take in order to improve water quality and mussel health across the state.
Utilize ongoing experiments to determine impending EAB impacts on water, vegetation, and wildlife; optimal replacement species and practices for forest diversification; develop indicators and criteria for prioritization of mitigation activities.
Native Prairie Bank will help landowners conserve native prairie though outreach to 10,000 landowners and practitioners, restoration and enhancement of 870 acres, and protection of 600 acres through conservation easements.
We will reduce environmental pollution from plastics by creating eco-friendly replacements using lignin from the pulp mill in Cloquet. The lignin plastics will be similar in strength to polystyrene.
The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) has been decimating ash throughout the Great Lake States and is currently advancing into Minnesota, threatening the future of the ash forests that occur across much of the state. Of particular concern is the impact EAB will have on the ecology and functioning of black ash swamps, which cover over one million acres in Minnesota and represent the state’s most common ash forest type. Black ash trees grow and thrive in swamps and occupy a unique wet niche where few other tree species grow.
Develop an economic analysis guide of the best practices, tools, and methodologies to include climate economics, including the incorporation of costs and benefits, for use in Minnesota climate policy decisions
To provide real world economic results of cover crops and alternative tillage implementation. Environmental benefits do not have to come at a cost of bottom line profitability.
