Feasibility Study for Stormwater
Research and Educational Programs at UMore Park
Bruce Wilson, Professor
Jim Anderson, Professor, Water Resource Center and Department
of Soil, Water, and Climate
David Biesboer, Professor, Plant Biology
Leonard Ferrington, Jr., Professor, Entomology
Bernadette Longo, Assistant Professor, Rhetoric
Robert Sykes, Associate Professor, Landscape Architecture
David Walgenbach, Professor, Rosemount Research and Outreach
Center
Funding Source
College of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Science Initiative
Program
Objective
UMore Park has the potential to be a world-class center of
excellence for solving environmental problems related to urban
development. External support and careful site analysis are
necessary to be successful. The objectives of the feasibility
study are therefore to:
- Identify and prioritize research and educational activities
for UMore Park related to stormwater and environmental issues,
- Develop an overall plan for these research and demonstration
activities, and
- Identify potential sources of external support from federal,
state, local, and private organizations.
Need or Impact
The population in the Twin Cities metropolitan area has grown
by approximately 15% in the last decade. Most of the recent
growth has been in the developing suburbs where land use typically
changes from agriculture to housing subdivisions. Such changes
impact the hydrologic response of watersheds, the water quality
of streams and aquifers, and the ecological balance among
complex plant and animal communities. Innovative ideas have
been proposed for sustainable development within urban watersheds.
An interdisciplinary team of engineers, urban planners, soil
scientists, communication specialists, and plant biologists
has been meeting to discuss the potential of using UMore Park
as a center of activities for studies related to urban environments.
Their vision is for a unique and internationally recognized
living laboratory for multidisciplinary research and educational
programs that address sustainable urban development issues
including impacts of urban development on the hydrologic response
of watersheds, the water quality of streams and aquifers,
the ecological balance among complex plant and animal communities,
as well as the health and sociological well being of human
communities.
Project Status
Obtaining input from stakeholders and potential financial
supporters of urban stormwater programs has been the most
important activity of our initiative. At least ten presentations
have been given to different audiences on possible stormwater
research at UMore Park. The greatest input was obtained from
a workshop held May 1-2, 2003. The workshop consisted of presentations
from national and local speakers and small group discussions.
Our goal was to identify the research and educational needs
related to urban runoff and to establish initiatives for addressing
them. There was good discussion among the eighty-six invited
participants in developing these initiatives. The initiatives
from the workshop and other information are summarized at
the website http://www.bae.umn.edu/stormwater/.
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