GSS Spotlight!

Mackenzie Moller

Student Technician

What is your education and/or professional background?

I am a Theatre major on the Acting/Directing track with a Public Relations minor. This is my second year working for GSS!

What led you to GIS? More specifically, how did you get to Saint Mary's University of Minnesota (SMUMN) in Winona?

I got my start with GSS in the summer of 2020 after a few of my friends shared their experiences working for them over the summer. I am so grateful that there were openings during that time as it really helped me out financially and provided me with skills I would otherwise not have obtained.

Explain briefly a project at GSS you've done that contributed to your overall knowledge and educational experience.

I have been working on the BLM project in Idaho for the majority of my time at GSS. Without this job, I would have no idea what GIS software is, let alone how to use it! This experience has taught me to appreciate the world around me more than I already did as I learn more about wetlands and how what we do affects them.

How do you see GIS fitting into your future?

While I don’t plan to use GIS in the future, as I will be pursuing a career in theatre, I am grateful for the skills I have learned during my time at GSS.

Where can we find you outside of GSS?

Outside of GSS, you can find me in the Page Theatre! Recently I made my directorial debut with Replay by Nicola Wren, and I am currently in rehearsals for Legally Blonde: The Musical!

GSS SPOTLIGHT!

Natalie Munich

Student Technician

What is your education and/or professional background?

I am an Environmental Biology major at Saint Mary's with minors in Zoology and Environmental Sustainability. This is my fourth year working for GSS!

What led you to GIS? More specifically, how did you get to Saint Mary's University of Minnesota (SMUMN) in Winona?

I was recruited by a professor my freshman year who knew GSS would be a great fit for me and my career aspirations. I originally came to Saint Mary's to become a laboratory technologist in the medical field, but soon found out how much I enjoyed the field of ecology. I have stayed with GSS this long because I know how valuable GIS skills are for data analysis and appreciate the friendly environment here.

Explain briefly a project at GSS you've done that contributed to your overall knowledge and educational experience.

I have been mapping the state of Wyoming for the BLM project since I first started here and have gained an extensive familiarity with wetland classification and trends. My capability of working with GIS made me become noticed for internships, such as my REU at the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS). I was able to use ArcGIS independently for components of my research project that analyzed the relationship between reef fish trophic guilds and benthic habitat.

How do you see GIS fitting into your future?

GIS will definitely be part of my future, with my plans to attend graduate school and earn a PhD studying the ecology of fishes. GIS is so valuable within the field of ecological research so I am confident that I will be using GIS software for my research to analyze and illustrate data.

Where can we find you outside of GSS?

Outside of GSS, you can find me in the library or the dance studio. I have been a Dance Repertory Company member with the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts in Winona since my freshman year. For our spring production Paquita Paella, coming up in early April, I am dancing in the hip hop, jazz, and contemporary pieces.

Robertson Featured on University Podcast

Our director, Andy Robertson, was a guest on the most recent episode of the Saint Mary’s Currents podcast to discuss climate change. Topics included the climate impacts he’s seen while working on GSS projects (particularly in Alaska), the topic of environmental justice and how it intersects with climate change, and why a local response to the climate crisis is needed. You can listen to the episode here!

Andy Robertson documented this land collapse in northwest Alaska, triggered by climate warming and ground thawing. It is 7 acres (over 5 football fields or 105 tennis courts) in size.

GSS Spotlight!

Dakota Becerra

Student Technician

What is your education and/or professional background?

I am an Environmental Biology major with minors in Chemistry and Environmental Sustainability. I have been working for GSS for a little over a year.

What led you to GIS? More specifically, how did you get to Saint Mary's University of Minnesota (SMUMN) in Winona?

I initially came to Saint Mary's for the Biology Pre-med program. However, after taking an introduction biology course that focused on ecology and evolution, I switched my major to Environmental Biology. This has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. I heard about GSS from classmates and knew at some point in my time at Saint Mary's I would want the opportunity to work here. When they had job openings my junior year, I jumped at the opportunity and have been working here since.

Explain briefly a project at GSS you've done that contributed to your overall knowledge and educational experience.

I have been working on the NWI project in New Mexico since I began working for GSS. Being able to work in GIS every day has been super beneficial in my knowledge and ability to use this software. I was also given the opportunity to conduct field research in the state of Montana the summer of 2021. This experience was probably the best experience I've ever had since it showed me how passionate I am about this field of research. This opportunity not only allowed me to learn an incredible amount of information but also gave me direction for what I want to do in the future once I graduate from Saint Mary's.

How do you see GIS fitting into your future?

I plan to choose a career in the future that has work in GIS. All of the jobs I have looked into and have applied for once I graduate have some elements of GIS. Having this background of working for GSS has truly strengthened my resume in terms of both GIS and field experience.

Where can we find you outside of GSS?

Outside of GSS I coach the boy's swim and dive team at Winona Senior High School. I am usually on a pool deck somewhere in Southeast Minnesota mostly by choice. I also love being outside in the bluffs for nature walks when I can find the time.

GSS Conducts Rare Winter Field Work

In mid-February, GSS staff Kevin Stark, Eric Lindquist, Mary Larson, Madison Mitchell, and Tommy Rodengen, along with student intern Katrina Danzinger traveled to the Leech Lake Reservation in north-central Minnesota to collect bottom sediment cores from two lakes, Bowstring and Little Cut Foot Sioux. They were joined by Jake Sorensen, a technician with the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe (LLBO). Winter can be an excellent time to collect deeper cores (around 3 feet of sediment in 30+ feet of water!) because the lake ice provides a more stable “platform” for directing the coring device than a boat. This coring is the second phase of a GSS project with LLBO to learn about historic nutrient levels in several lakes to help set appropriate present-day water quality standards. Water sampling from some lakes in the region have shown high phosphorus levels, which are often an indicator of pollution from human activity, but could be a naturally occurring condition. Studying the chemistry and diatom species composition (a type of algae) of deeper lake sediments, which were deposited prior to European settlement, can provide insight into the lake’s natural/historical nutrient levels.

The sediment cores will be dated by an outside lab to determine the age of the sediments at different depths, and the GSS team will be analyzing the sediment’s organic matter and biogenic silica levels, as well as identifying and counting the types of diatoms from different depths under a microscope. Later this summer, the team will be returning to collect several shorter cores from Bowstring and Round Lakes to assess the rate at which phosphorus is released from the sediment back into the lake waters, also known as internal phosphorus loading.

The team (L-R): Katrina, Madison, Jake, Mary, Kevin, and Tommy (photo by Eric).

Map showing visited lakes within the Leech Lake Reservation (green border)

GSS staff hike out on to Little Cut Foot Sioux Lake, about 30 miles northwest of Grand Rapids

GSS Spotlight!

ROSE KRAUS

STUDENT TECHNICIAN

What is your education and/or professional background?

I am a senior Environmental Biology major at Saint Mary's University and I have been working at GSS for almost two years. 

What led you to GIS? More specifically, how did you get to Saint Mary's University of Minnesota (SMUMN) in Winona? 

I was led to Saint Marys after being recruited here to play hockey. After I looked into the Environmental Biology program, I knew it would be perfect for me. Before GSS, I worked at the SMU Help Desk. While there, I heard a little bit about GeoSpatial Services but I really didn’t have a clue what GIS was or what the job entailed. After talking to some of my E. Bio classmates who worked with GIS, I knew that I needed to apply because it would be a great opportunity for me.

Explain briefly a project at GSS you've done that contributed to your overall knowledge and educational experience.

Since starting at GSS, I have worked on many projects including mapping wetlands in Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming. When school got shut down due to COVID, I got to work full time from home during the summer of 2020. While working at home, I had the opportunity to work at Cascade Meadow with other GSS staff to help with invasive species control, water sampling, and macroinvertebrate research. All of the work that I have done at GSS has positively affected my education experience at Saint Mary’s and I will use it for the rest of my life. 

How do you see GIS fitting into your future? 

I definitely see myself using GIS in my future career. It is such a growing field and many jobs I have applied to have it as a required/desired skill. Because of this, having GIS experience on my resume will help me stand out from other candidates, especially in the environmental field. 

Where can we find you outside of GSS?

Outside of GSS, you can almost always find me at the hockey rink or in the library. When I am not playing hockey or studying, I like rollerblading around Lake Winona or hiking the bluff trails.

GSS Spotlight!

ALEX VASLOW

Graduate Student Technician

What is your education and/or professional background?

I have a B.S. in environmental geology from Winona State University and am currently in my second year of the M.S. in Data Intelligence and GeoAnalytics program here at SMUMN.

What led you to GIS? More specifically, how did you get to Saint Mary's University of Minnesota (SMUMN) in Winona? 

I took an intro to GIS course as an undergrad and immediately loved working with the program. At the time I wasn’t sure what I was going to do afterwards, but I knew that I wanted to go beyond a bachelor’s degree. My professor, Dr. Dylan Blumentritt, greatly encouraged his students to explore GIS as he showed us how useful it can be with real-world applications. I asked if there were any programs he recommended specifically for GIS and he pointed me in the direction of Saint Mary’s. He even got an SMU student to come give a brief presentation to the class about the programs!

Explain briefly a project at GSS you've done that contributed to your overall knowledge and educational experience.

Since I’ve started I have been working on the National Wetlands Inventory for North Dakota. This is a project that was started by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to provide detailed wetlands information in many states in the U.S. for both public and private use. What I do specifically is identify and map out detailed wetland polygons in the region.

How do you see GIS fitting into your future? 

I plan on using GIS for the rest of my career. I am getting married soon and because of that I plan to get any position that supports us enough. However, eventually I would like to land a GIS director position.

Where can we find you outside of GSS?

Outside of GSS I spend a lot of time with my friends playing board games, tennis, racquetball, and walking around the lakes. I also love playing magic at Jimmy Jams in downtown Winona.

GSS Winona Staff All Under One Roof

After years of being divided between the Prairie Island Field Station and various locations around campus (most recently in Watters Hall), the Winona staff of GeoSpatial Services is now all in one location in the Saint Mary's Press Building. This location provides enough space for the nearly 30 full-time analysts and technicians, along with approximately 40 student workers.

"Our new location provides us with a professional, collaborative space that will increase the productivity and visibility of our organization,” says GSS Executive Director Andy Robertson. “Being centrally located on campus will make it much easier for our student technicians to access the building during work hours and will allow us to contribute to other University activities such as tours, meetings and planning sessions. Our thanks to SMP staff for making us welcome in their space and helping facilitate a smooth transition."

GSS Team Criss-Crosses New Mexico

This October, Andy Robertson, Zack Ansell, and Josh Balsiger from GSS traveled to New Mexico to conduct Draft Map Review of wetlands alongside New Mexico Environment Department staff scientists from the Surface Water Quality Bureau (SWQB) Maryann McGraw, Daveena Crosley, Emile Sawyer, James T. Jones and Regional Wetland Coordinator Gary Hunt. Josh Balsiger, GSS Technician, said of the experience working with SWQB staff, “learning first hand from scientists who’ve devoted their lives to the study of the ecological system taking place in front of you is eye-opening.” They traveled west to east across New Mexico’s southern border, from large alkaline playas in Lordsburg, across the otherworldly landscape of White Sands National Park, to areas of robust karst topography south of Roswell. From there, they went north from the Permian Basin into the Eastern Plains where they answered questions about the high desert playas. The trip culminated in Santa Rosa, where the high water table produces saturation year-round and spring influence dominates the hydrology.

Special time was taken in White Sands National Park, home of the world’s largest gypsum dunefield, as the unique hydrology plays an essential role in the maintenance of the gypsum dunes that have become iconic of the southwest. Just inches below the surface of the dunes, the sand is wet, which helps hold the dunes together. “Walking into White Sands National Park, you feel as though you have stepped into another world,” said GSS Technician Josh Balsiger.

GSS Fieldwork Continues with California Trip

In September, GSS staff members Kevin Stark and Keely Hansen traveled to Northern California for seven days to complete a wetland mapping fieldwork trip. The study area covered varying ecoregions along the California coast north of San Francisco and north of Napa Valley. These fieldwork efforts allow GSS staff to complete critical field verifications of previously observed digital aerial imagery and photointerpretation conventions for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) program. Staff were able to evaluate draft data on the fly utilizing state of the art technology, and were able to compare what they were seeing in the field with what GSS staff had previously mapped in real time. Using Esri Field Maps mobile application, and ArcPro mapping software running on a Panasonic ToughBook, the team was able to bring back valuable data and observations.

During this particular trip, Kevin and Keely traveled across robust landscapes that included arid plains, irrigated farmlands, high elevation montane forests, and many seeps and springs. Of significance on this visit were observations of the California coastline and the various estuarine wetlands that are very unique compared to the typically arid western lands that GSS encounters. Additional insights gained included an enhanced understanding of how wetlands in the west have responded to historic drought conditions, as well as how water flows are manipulated to irrigate various croplands in California.