NEWS
GSS Student Intern Featured in Local Newspapers
SMUMN senior Katrina Danzinger recently spent a week on the Alaska coast, working with the Ocean Plastics Recovery Project. Her experience was featured in the Winona Daily News, the La Crosse Tribune, and in the University’s newsroom. You can read the full story here. The highlight of the trip for Katrina was whale watching, including sightings of humpback whales.
GSS Spotlight!
Angelyssa Figueroa
Student Technician
What is your education and/or professional background?
I am a Psychology major, Criminal Justice minor and have been working at GSS for a little over 2 years.
What led you to GIS? More specifically, how did you get to Saint Mary's University and GeoSpatial Services in Winona?
Coming from Tucson, Arizona, I found Saint Mary's through a scholarship program that eventually brought me here to Winona. As a First Generation Initiative scholar, I am somewhat limited in job opportunities on campus, but plenty of my fellow scholars worked for GSS and told me how great it was! This piqued my interest and I found myself researching about GIS and what it means to work for GeoSpatial Services.
Explain briefly a project at GSS you've done that contributed to your overall knowledge and educational experience.
Honestly, just being a part of GSS and mapping in places like Colorado and Wyoming have taught me about the importance of the work we do here. We help create maps and plans that will be used for businesses, parks, and organizations, which is impactful and valuable work that shows me that my work makes a difference, no matter how big or small the project.
How do you see GIS fitting into your future?
GIS has strengthened my ability to adapt as you're constantly working on new projects and learning about a wide variety of areas. I know how to look at topographic maps and identify plains, water sources, roads, and lots more. GIS has definitely helped me become a well-rounded individual that is able to confidently step into known and unknown fields and be ready to make an impact wherever I go.
Where can we find you outside of GSS?
If I am not at GSS, and the weather is nice and sunny, then I'll usually be out enjoying the sun or spending time with friends!
Robertson Appears on Local News
To mark National Environmental Education Week, GSS Director Andy Robertson spoke about climate change in a segment on Mason City’s KIMT local news. He addressed the shift in frequency of extreme weather events related to climate change: “The randomness of change - related to climate warming - is what has the greatest impact. It could be increased precipitation, it could be decreased precipitation. It could be decreased heat. It could be cooling at the wrong time of year. So the lilac bushes were the best example of the past year where the lilacs bloomed like they normally do in the spring, but then bloomed a second time in the fall because we had a warming period and a drying period. It got them out of sync. And now the speculation is they're not going to bloom at all this spring." See the full story here.
GSS SPOTLIGHT!!
Ben Moonen
Student Technician
What is your education and/or professional background?
I am currently a senior at Winona State University and I am studying Ecology and minoring in GIS. I have been working here at GSS for almost 6 months now.
What led you to GIS? More specifically, how did you get to GeoSpatial Services in Winona?
I discovered GIS when an advisor suggested that I look into minors and the GIS minor happened to fit best into my schedule. Then a friend who was working at GSS suggested that I apply and that the work here would be a good experience if I was to continue pursuing a career in natural resources.
Explain briefly a project at GSS you've done that contributed to your overall knowledge and educational experience.
My experience here started with projects in Alaska. It has been eye-opening to see the scope of the wetlands in these projects. I have been able to improve my skills of using the software while also learning new applications for GIS.
How do you see GIS fitting into your future?
I see GIS being a major part of my future. I see it as a valuable skill that will be an important tool if I continue to pursue a career in natural resources.
Where can we find you outside of GSS?
If I am not at GSS, I am at home with my wife and our dog or I am in the woods hunting or on the water fishing.
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.