GSS Summer Students Head into the Field

On July 20, fifteen GSS student interns and two of our newer GIS technicians spent a day learning what wetland field verification work is like. Led by GSS Analysts Josh Balsiger and Kathy Allen, the group visited three sites: a saturated wetland just outside Winona, a cold-water trout stream at Farmer’s Park near Stockton, and the wetlands of Cascade Meadow on SMUMN’s Rochester campus. Participants had the opportunity to map what they saw on printouts of aerial imagery, discuss wetland classifications, learn about wetland indicator plant species, and look at wetland soils. The students enjoyed getting to know each other and talking about the different projects they’re all working on, and reported that the experience will help them better understand how what they see in their mapping imagery connects to what actually exists on the ground.

Field day participants: Katie Grover and Avrey Simonsen (technicians); Leo Walter, Brian Berthiaume, Jackson Queen, Danielle Ilunga, Sam King, Clare Culver, Morgan Muhlbauer, Fionn O'Duggan, Carter King, Krystal Baptiste, Tristan Ostrem, Sajida Mirzada, Patrick Derleth, Bailey Rheinheimer, and McKenzie Henkelman (SMUMN and WSU students).