Layers

Every piece of information that I have learned in the last five weeks has been assembled through layers of information--- personal narratives on top of scientific background research with roots in oral history, collectively come together with the base of this landscape. I image what I have learned in the last five weeks as a layered blueprint--- the landscape, the earth, the soils, the waterways and natural processes as a base. On top, a complex history of native peoples, logging, dams, farming, chemicals, expansion and settlement create structures on the existing landscape. It is topped off with the delicate and complicated individual narratives and experiences that holistically tell the story of place in a personal, real way. Together, this is how I imagine lived experience of this landscape.

My research partner Tara and I have spent the last three weeks conducting oral interviews with lakefront owners and farmers across the watershed, trying to get at that top layer of information. Thus far, we have conducted and transcribed (with the kind help of the other student researchers) over twenty hours of interviews.

In this time, I have also worked with the other student researchers, talking extensively through projects and helping where I can, including going down to Lake Menomin to find the best possible cyanobacteria sample to fuel a microbial fuel cell, as well as helping to crush dirt and sediment samples from wild rice beds across the watershed to help in the process of understanding the effects (and possible benefits) that wild rice has on the sediment and phosphorus levels in the spaces where it grows. This project is being conducted by Naomi and Kirsten. Through their research, they hope to understand what environmental conditions are necessary for wild rice to grow, if these conditions are present in the watershed, and ultimately if wild rice has a positive impact on the health of the watershed.

Their project is directly linked to ours, as it gives scientific backing to many of the questions that we ask our interviewees. In many of our interviews, we have asked about individual perceptions of wetland restoration and the reintroduction of wild rice beds. We have heard several varying responses, but ultimately, Kirsten and Naomi’s research could help to better inform the public about the benefits of the reintroduction wild rice.

I look forward to seeing how all of these integrated research projects will come together at the end of these eight weeks to exemplify the power of collaboration, community and knowledge.