This paper, written by Carleton student Allison Palmbach for Kim Smith’s 2021 Environmental Law & Policy seminar, recommends Northfield pursue an ambitious invasive species management initiative that includes prevention, early detection, organized responses, and prioritization of protecting high quality natural lands in the Northfield City jurisdiction. The proposal builds on a variety of invasive species management plans from other cities, as well as existing scholarship, to provide Northfield with a framework and proposal that combines many of the best practices from various other organizations, cities, states, etc, and adapts those practices and recommendations to Northfield’s needs.

This paper, written by Carleton student Reed Ebbinghaus for Kim Smith’s 2021 Environmental Law & Policy seminar, sets out a 20-year plan for managing invasive plants in Northfield, focusing on 1) effective institutional coordination and knowledge-sharing and 2) civic
involvement.

This paper was written by Carleton student Zak Sather for Kim Smith’s 2021 Environmental Law & Policy seminar, recommends a 5-stage approach for invasive plant management in Northfield: 1) should communicate with surrounding entities including state and city governments, businesses, community organizations, and academic institutions to identify invasive plant threats; 2) prioritize these plants based on potential threats to economic, ecological, and human health; 3) shut down pathways by which invasive plants are introduced via humans; 4) identify the areas in town most susceptible to alien plant invasion; and 5) focus on revegetating and transforming these areas to protect them from invasive plants.

This paper was written by Carleton student Sarah Shapiro for Kim Smith’s 2021 Environmental Law & Policy seminar, lays out a 20-year plan for controlling invasive plants in Northfield. The proposal has three key points: acquiring staff and funding, developing an invasive plants database, and providing education to encourage public engagement.

Resources created by Duncan Burnett, Luke Everson, Lisa Fisher, Kendal Otness for a St. Olaf environmental studies course, suggesting ways to enhance carbon sequestration in home gardens.

Slide show by Shannon Bayless, Helen Larson, Jordan Ketchem, & Katelyn LeBeque for St. Olaf environmental studies course on how church communities can enhance carbon sequestration through landscaping.

These recommendations were generated as a part of the Northfields Plants and Pollinators – Lawns to Legumes grant. These plants are some of the favorites of local pollinators, especially bumble bees like the Federally Threatened Rusty Patched Bumblebee, which is found in several areas around Northfield.