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About the Center

MINNESOTA RIVER BASIN DATA CENTER



Welcome to the Minnesota River Basin Data Center.  The data center was established on July 1, 1997 to serve as data clearinghouse for the Minnesota River Basin. The mission of the Minnesota River Basin Data Center is to provide for the inventory, development, retrieval, interpretation and dissemination of pedigreed data and information on topics that impact the environment, economy and communities within the Minnesota River Basin. In addition, the data center functions to simplify the task of identifying and acquiring information and data necessary to facilitate natural resource decision making and education within the 37 counties of the Minnesota River Basin. The data center operates as a clearinghouse to make data easily and readily accessible and link users with the best sources of information and data available. The Minnesota River Basin Data Center is a project of the Water Resources Center at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Your comments and suggestions are valuable and necessary to the growth and success of this center. We welcome your feedback. Please contact mrbdc@mnsu.edu


HISTORY

Creation of the Data Center (Phase I)


The data center was established on July 1, 1997 with a two year Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources grant and additional funding from other contributors (see below).   A Board of Directors that represented a broad cross section of basin residents guided the development of the data center.  The role of the data center is described in the mission statement (above).  The flow diagram depicts the organizational structure of the data center including the Board of Directors and Data Review Team, and the Data Review Process.

Update and Expansion (Phase 2)
The Minnesota River Basin Data Center website is currently being updated and expanded to serve as a clearinghouse for Minnesota River information. In order to make river information readily available to the public the WRC is working with project partners across the river basin to collect and compile information. A centerpiece of the update includes an interactive map that enables users to access information about water quality, restoration activities and public lands throughout the basin. The site has been migrated into a new content management system that will enable searchable database features for reports, calendar, contacts, videos and other media. In addition, information about conservation efforts and exploring the basin have been added to the site. The goal is to have a rich array of information that will be accessible via a single website enabling natural-resource professionals, policy makers, and citizens alike to keep informed about the diverse research and restoration activities underway across the Basin.
 

FUNDING SOURCES



Thank you to the many funders, supporters and contributors to the data center. Additionally, many thanks to the diverse researchers and collaborators that contributed their time and expertise to enrich the data center.

Creation of the Data Center (Phase 1 – 1997-2003)
Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCMR) - A $250,000 Grant awarded to Minnesota State University, Mankato Water Resources Center

$100,000 Match Provided by:

  • Minnesota Corn Research & Promotion Council
  • City of Mankato
  • City of North Mankato
  • City of Eagle Lake
  • City of St. Peter
  • McKnight Foundation
  • City of New Ulm
  • Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council
  • Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc.
  • Minnesota Association of Townships
  • The Initiative Fund of Southeastern & South Central Minnesota
  • Minnesota Pork Producers
  • Bolton & Menk
  • Minnesota State University, Mankato

Update and Expansion (Phase 2 – 2010-present)

  • McKnight Foundation – A two-year $60,000 grant to update the MRBDC website.

  • Legislative Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) – A two-year $124,000 grant to fund Minnesota River Experts: An Educational Field Trip Online. This educational project will be housed on the data center. It is currently in development and an example is provided in the 360 Panoramic Virtual Tour.

  • Minnesota Pollution Control Agency – Various interactive features and reports on the website have been developed with funds from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

  • EPIC Media – River Revival: Working Together to Save the Minnesota River documentary producers John Hickman and Jon Carlson have generously provided video excerpts from their recently released documentary to enrich the data center site. These videos will be integrated into the website (currently in development).