We will assess the environmental quality of prairies across Minnesota. On-the-ground surveys and contaminant risk assessments will help inform partner management actions, endangered species recovery plans, and pollinator reintroduction efforts.
75 photographs were selected from among thousands that were taken by John W.G. Dunn of the St. Croix river valley between the 1890's and 1941. The Marine Restoration Society contracted with Tomy O'Brien Jr. to review all Dunn photographs and to identify those photographs that were best deserving of greater historical interpretation. The locations of the photographs were researched, a list with information for each photograph was compiled and the selected photos were geocoded to aid future researchers.
This project is a continuation of Statewide Lake study that revealed the obiquitous presence of endrocrine active compounds (EACs) in many MN Lakes. The initial project findings suggested two potential knowledge gaps in our understanding of EACs and their effects in lake environments. First, the sources of EACs and their entrance points into lakes need to be better defined than was possible in our previous statewide lake study.
A comprehensive assessment of membrane bioreactor efficacy will provide the best options and information to the wastewater treatment plant and natural resource managers to update or replace aging wastewater infrastructure.
Using two prairie restorations, we will investigate how common restoration variables affect bumblebee habitat suitability by conducting bumblebee surveys and assessing nesting and foraging habitat in restored and remnant prairies.
Common Tern populations across inland North America are significantly declining. Information on the status of breeding colonies in Minnesota is necessary to prioritize conservation and restoration actions.
Minnesota is currently revising its state-level Nutrient Reduction Strategy (NRS), which was originally completed in 2014. Since 2014, all watersheds in the state have completed Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategies (WRAPS). These technical strategies and reports have been used thus far by over two thirds of watersheds when developing comprehensive local water plans known as “One Watershed, One Plan” (1W1P).
Large deposits of copper, nickel, cobalt, and other minerals in northeastern Minnesota could provide huge economic and employment benefits to the state while becoming an important source of important metals for the country. However, the mining required to extract them could have significant water quality impacts in a region that includes the Boundary Water Canoe Area Wilderness and other environmentally sensitive watersheds.
This project will promulgate a nitrate water quality standard to address aquatic life toxicity, and gather information needed to support the development of total nitrogen (N) loading reduction strategies for Minnesota’s waters and also address Minnesota’s contribution to marine water hypoxia. Project will also develop a framework for a watershed nitrogen planning aid that can be used to optimize selection of Best Management Practice (BMP) systems for reducing nitrogen.
Carry out multi-resource monitoring at flood damage reduction and natural resource enhancement projects across the Red River Basin to evaluate outcomes and improve design of future projects at regional scale.
Ampers member stations are producing a variety of programs, documentaries and musical specials on Minnesota's arts, historical, and cultural heritage. The stations are also offering free public performances. The on-air projects are aired on member stations, shared with other stations in the network and archived on station websites and the Ampers website: www.ampers.org
Complete an updated master plan based on the RiverFirst Initiative, extensive community engagement, and a collaborative process with the City of Minneapolis around the Upper Harbor Terminal
