As part of this grant project, Digitization of Ecologic History in the Driftless Area of Minnesota, an 1862 transcription of the first land survey of the area was selected. From this first land survey completed in 1855, St. Mary’s University GeoSpatial Services (SMUMN-GSS) digitally compiled and mapped the landscape observations contained in the historical land survey and developed methods to effectively share this information with the community. This story map, “Exploring the Ecological History of Winona, Minnesota” was produced as part of this effort and explains the process used to create the historical land cover map of the city of Winona area using the land survey field notes. This landscape map is a snapshot of one point in time and provides an interactive experience exploring the local ecological history. This map offers a multidisciplinary approach to studying soil, plant communities, land restoration, and human-environmental interactions as well as an opportunity to consider and explore the many ways in which humans have altered this landscape.

The story map is available from this address:
Exploring the Ecological History of Winona, Minnesota (arcgis.com)

Requests to reproduce for educational purposes parts of the 1862 transcription of the land survey only are granted by the Winona County Historical Society. Please contact curator@winonahistory.org for more information. Requests to reproduce for educational purposes parts of the story map, “Exploring the Ecological History of Winona, Minnesota”, or the report are only granted by the Winona State University’s Coordinator of the Special Collections. Please contact aquam@winona.edu for more information.

This project has been financed in part with funds provided by the State of Minnesota from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the Minnesota Historical Society.

Notice: Digitized items will be made available by March 2021.