An Introduction to Plant for the Future
Exploring Impacts and Solutions to a Floodplain Forest within the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area
Essential Questions:
What is Plant for the Future and how is it helping the floodplain forest of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area survive?
How can you and community science play a role in helping the floodplain forest?
Learning Objectives
In this story map we will...
What is a Floodplain Forest?
Look at this photo of a typical floodplain forest below. Click through the slides and take your time answering each question!
Video Interview: What is a Floodplain Forest?
Ranger Jessica knows a thing or two about floodplain forests. Tune in and learn more about what makes floodplain forests so unique and fascinating!
Interview with Park Ranger Jessica from the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area
Discover the Floodplain Forest of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area
Climate Change Challenges
What specific challenges are coming to the floodplain forest due to climate change and how is that impacting habitats and ecosystems?
Floodplain Forest Challenges
Plant for the Future Project
How do we address changes within an urban forest?
Plant for the Future: Overview 2
Walk Through a Plant for the Future Tree Plot!
Check out this video to see the project in action! Plant for the Future consists of many different efforts, but all of them are focused on making the floodplain forest more resilient, and able to overcome and adapt to the challenges we described in the Climate Change Challenges section.
Planting Site Walkthrough with Andrew Marotz, Volunteer Coordinator for Mississippi Park Connection
Next, let’s take a closer look at some of the Plant for the Future projects that are happening right now!
Adaptive Silviculture for Climate Change (ASCC)
Emerald Ash Borer Beetle (EAB)
Video Interview: Emerald Ash Borer Management
Learn about EAB from Mike Curran, Minnesota Greencorps member serving with Mississippi Park Connection
Cottonwood Restoration
Cottonwood trees are among the most valuable trees in the floodplain forest of Minnesota. Sadly, they too are threatened by climate change and human activities on the river. Listen to Maria, a floodplain forest researcher, as she explains the problems that cottonwood trees are experiencing.
Learn about cottonwoods from Maria DeLaundreau, floodplain forest researcher
Community Tree Nurseries
A gravel bed nursery is a method that some natural resource managers use to strengthen trees before they are planted in the soil. Check out this video to learn more about the benefits of gravel beds!
Pat Hamilton from the Science Museum of Minnesota explains the value of community tree nurseries.
Watch the construction of a new gravel bed nursery!
Community Gravel Bed Tree Nursery
People Power!
Becca Hanson explains below how the Mississippi River Crew from the Conservation Corps Minnesota and Iowa, along with other outdoor youth organizations, have played their part in Plant for the Future.
Plant for the Future: The Human Element
Community Science
Community science, also known as citizen science, is the practice of public participation and collaboration in scientific research to increase scientific knowledge.
Through community science, people share and contribute to data monitoring and data collection programs!
Learn about community science from Andrew Marotz, Volunteer Coordinator for Mississippi Park Connection
