The short term goal of this project is to develop a K-3rd grade Ojibwe language CORE curriculum and a K-3rd Dakota language CORE curriculum designed for use in an immersion setting. Additionally, twenty five Ojibwe and Dakota Elders Speakers will be engaged in the development of the curriculum
New invasive plant species continue to emerge in Minnesota and will pose ongoing threats to Minnesota’s economy, ecology, and environment if able to spread across the state. It is cheapest, easiest, and least harmful to find and control small populations of invasive plants before they become widespread.
The Elk River Watershed Association Joint Powers Board, via the Sherburne Soil and Water Conservation District, will utilize project funds to implement a pasture and manure management program which will provide technical and financial assistance to large animal/hobby farm owners. Staff will work with identified landowners to implement bacteria reduction best practices such as pasture renovation/management, riparian buffer strips, clean water diversions, vegetated buffer strips, and manure management including composting structures.
This project will determine the magnitude and frequency of contamination from endocrine active compounds (EAC's) and other contaminants of emerging concern in shallow groundwater in non-agricultural areas of Minnesota. EACs and other contaminants of emerging concern in this study include compounds typically found in waste water, including, pharmaceutical compounds, antibiotics, and hormones. This project supports the third phase, including laboratory analysis of samples for an additional 80 wells to be sampled by MPCA staff.
To freeze dry water damaged collections, otherwise conserve items and plan for storage of the overall ICHS collection items that we were able to salvage from this devastating fire.
-Increase Ojibwe language proficiency in two apprentices and fluency in two masters
-Raise public awareness of Ojibwe language in community
-Create collaboration with Economic Development Language Preservation Group to integrate language curriculum into Head Start program
The Minnesota Historical Society strives to attract high school and college interns from underrepresented communities to encourage engagement and diversify the institution. Students are placed across the Society in various departments and sites and have the opportunity to work alongside museum professionals to enhance their skills and apply their knowledge in a professional environment. College students participate in learning activities together over a semester-long period to enrich the internship experience and network with other interns in their cohort.
Martin County has 149 lakes and several are impacted by elevated phosphorus levels. Restoring the water quality of these lakes is a priority for county. In partnership with Minnesota Waters, Barr Engineering and the University of Minnesota Extension, this project specifically aims to educate residents about the threats to Martin County water resources. The goal is to engage residents in protecting and improving the quality and management of the lakes by establishing a minimum of four lake associations within the county.
The Minnesota Historical Society strives to attract high school interns from underrepresented communities to encourage engagement and diversify the institution. High school students are placed as gallery assistants and get professional on-the-job-experience interacting with visitors in the History Center galleries and at public events.
Minnesota has 9.5 million acres of public forest lands that play an important role in sustaining Minnesota’s environment and economy. The policies and programs used by public timber sale programs can impact post-harvest ecological conditions and have pronounced effects on the composition, structure, and productivity of the forest in the future. Additionally, timber harvesting revenues play an important role in economic activity, employment, and tax revenue.
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.
To create an area that will improve the visual impact of heritage hand-crafted arts, art (drawing/painting) and culinary departments and to create a demonstration area. Demonstration area will have a stage constructed for programs and presentations that allows an audience to learn and be inspired to preserve the heritage of various arts.
Partners: Carleton College and Macalester College. This grant supported a conference in June 2012 to generate new scholarship on Minnesota's environmental history. The conference and a resulting book have the potential to significantly help Minnesotans understand their relationships with the environment and how economic, social, political and natural forces have shaped the state's environmental history. With this knowledge, citizens can better appreciate their surroundings and be better prepared to influence policy that enhances environmental sustainability.
To hire a qualified consultant to develop design guidelines that will help with the restoration of the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration, listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
To restore and stabilize the glacial stone fireplace and chimney on the Oberholtzer House in the Ernest C. Oberholtzer Rainy Lake Islands Historic District, listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Lake Superior, the world’s largest freshwater lake by surface area, is amongst Minnesota’s greatest natural resources providing drinking water, shipping, recreation, and tourism. Recently the lake has been undergoing significant changes including increasing water temperatures, decreasing ice cover, increasing nutrient loads, decreasing biological productivity, increasing invasive species, and changes in species abundance and distribution. The reasons behind these changes and the interactions amongst them are not well understood.
To hire a qualified and experienced HVAC engineer to evaluate the current system preparatory to better control of the Wadena County Historical Society museum environment.
This project will support Minnesota's condition monitoring strategy through the collection of water quality data on streams and rivers in the Nemadji River watershed. The Nemadji River watershed is located in southeastern Carlton County and northeastern Pine County. Water quality samples will be collected primarily during weather-related events that affect stream flow such as snowmelt and rainfalls.
This project will collect intermediate watershed load monitoring data on the Bigfork River which is critical to the identification of stressors and assist in defining areas of concern within the Bigfork Watershed and its greater Rainy River Watershed. Itasca County SWCD will closely collaborate with Koochiching SWCD and MPCA on this project.
Installation of erosion control structures to eliminate or reduce the effects of gullies is a high priority due to the large amount of sediment they have contributed to the Red Lake River. The high sediment loading is affecting water quality, aquatic life, downstream water supply sources and recreational use of the Red Lake River.
To improve the exhibit space for arts, cultural heritage, MN history displays at the St Louis County Fair by improving lighting and purchasing new display easels.
To enhance the viewer's ability to see fine arts exhibits by upgrading the lighting in the Fine Arts Building and modifying the display area to allow for additional exhibits.
Minnesota Historical Society exhibitions are supported by diverse programming that complements the content of the exhibitions. These additional programs augmented and promoted the rich stories of Minnesota's history in connection with exhibitions such as "American Spirits: the Rise and Fall of Prohibition" and "Toys of the 50s, 60s and 70s."
Partner: Minnesota Association of Museums (MAM)
MAM provides professional development and support to museum professionals across the state. This partnership funds a part-time managing coordinator to research professional development programs for museum professionals, communicate and promote the programs, determine what additional professional development opportunities are needed and expand MAM programming to serve organizations across the state.
Building on the exhibit development community engagement process carried through three successive Legacy grants, the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota used the 2013 direct appropriation to prepare for and begin building exhibit components for its permanent facility by combining professional museum expertise with local resources, volunteers, and community involvement.
In 2007, the Children's Museum of Southern Minnesota (CMSM) conducted an environmental scan of early learning opportunities for children in southern Minnesota. It became apparent that the region creates few opportunities for children to engage in self-directed learning experiences in social settings; in particular, opportunities that create access to arts, culture, and heritage. This is still true today.
