The Pearl Island Recreational Corridor is an 80-acre recreational property located in Brodhead, WI, just 10 miles north of the Wisconsin/Illinois border. This community project began in November 2012 when the property received a matching grant in order to fund recreational activity enhancement. There are three main ecosystems that were chosen for conservation biodiversity targets […]
Read More… from Pearl Island Recreational Corridor Conservation Plan
The Mississippi River corridor is an ecosystem of connected natural and urban habitats, which provides benefits to both wildlife and humans. The “Above the Falls” stretch of the Mississippi River shoreline has historically been industrial, but the Mississippi River Management Organization (MWMO), the Mississippi Riverfront Partnership (MRP), and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) […]
Read More… from Mississippi River Corridor Habitat Assessment
The Metropolitan Council is interested in an exploratory study on the urban tree canopy to inform their future work and research regarding the urban tree canopy. Possible student research questions could include assessing gaps in the canopy, developing community engagement initiatives, examining the relationship between the canopy and stormwater, examining the relationship between the canopy […]
The Metropolitan Council operates several wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in the Twin Cities area. Most of the WWTPs are located adjacent to river corridors, and in some cases form portions of sensitive wildlife habitat and native vegetation areas. Landscape design at the WWTPs has traditionally consisted of traditional mowed turf, which requires constant mowing, occasional […]
Read More… from Sustainable Landscape Analysis at Metropolitan Council Wastewater Treatment Plants
The Local Planning Assistance work unit at the Metropolitan Council provides technical assistance to communities that are currently drafting their 2040 Comprehensive Plan updates as required by state statute. The Metropolitan Council is encouraging cities to include a chapter on planning for climate resiliency in their Comprehensive Plan. As part of this effort, materials that […]
Read More… from Earth’s Record of Climate in Twin Cities Lakes
The Climate Vulnerability Assessment (CVA) project identifies potential vulnerabilities of regional systems to the increased frequency and severity of climatic events. The CVA project will guide planning and policies regarding infrastructure, assets, facilities, and the built environment to help address climate vulnerability in the region. As part of the CVA, ENVR 401/GEOG 402 students will […]
Read More… from Climate Vulnerability Assessment: Extreme Heat Report
The borough of State College conducted two greenhouse gas inventories which focused on transportation. These studies used different data sets, in part due the construction of a bypass, and therefore the impact of GHG reducing measures was inconclusive. In order to create good baseline information, the borough engaged a capstone student in EMS to reconcile […]
Read More… from Transportation Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventories: State College
Students will examine the effects of various land use scenarios on stormwater runoff and pollinator habitat connectivity. Specifically, students will examine possible effects of the conversion of vacant lots in North Minneapolis to alternative uses (e.g., urban agriculture, pollinator habitat, raingardens, or a combination of uses) on stormwater runoff rates. Students will also examine optimal […]
Read More… from Examining Land Use Scenarios for Vacant Lots
Project Overview The City of Elk River is home to an impaired lake and two impaired rivers. The City has been focusing on stormwater runoff reduction to these waters as well as pre-treatment techniques to improve water quality. However, the City has not implemented an alternative treatment system on city property, such as a green […]
PLACE would like to analyze of how well current operations and future design ideas meet their sustainability goals. Students will model several different sustainability objectives through coupled economic/energetic/mass balance models to analyze how goals are currently being met and recommendations to better meet goals. Read the final student report delivered to the local gov/community partner. […]
Read More… from Using Models to Analyze Sustainability Goals and Tradeoffs