College providing classroom and lab space at no cost
Inver Hills Community College has a longstanding partnership with Dakota County’s Minnesota Wetland Health Evaluation Program (WHEP). The college began providing classroom and laboratory space for WHEP volunteers free of charge on the college’s campus in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, about two decades ago.
Nikki Stewart, the county’s environmental resources director, appreciates how WHEP participants can work in Inver Hills classrooms and labs at no cost. Nikki noted that the college’s generosity is acknowledged on the Minnesota WHEP website.
“WHEP started up in 1997,” Nikki reported. “Today, WHEP engages approximately one hundred and forty volunteers annually. The volunteers form local teams guided by a team leader. Throughout the summer, they evaluate wetlands selected by cities, the county, or a watershed to determine wetland health.”
Nikki added that WHEP volunteers learn how to use a key to identify macroinvertebrates and plants. They use a scoring process called the Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) developed by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. The data collected by WHEP volunteers is used for four key purposes:
- Tracking changes in wetlands over time
- Identifying high-quality wetlands that may need protection
- Assessing impacts of stormwater input
- Finding invasive species that threaten wetlands
“While the value of the data is substantial, the significance of community engagement and environmental education may be even greater,” Nikki said. “Folks of all ages and backgrounds become resident scientists who engage in community service and environmental protection. We are very proud of the impacts and the results of this program.”
Elaina Bleifield, Inver Hills vice president of academic affairs, welcomes partnerships with community organizations like MN WHEP.
“Inver Hills is proud to partner with the Wetland Health Evaluation Program in Dakota County,” Elaina said. “This program monitors the health of the many wetlands in the county through sampling provided largely by volunteers. Inver has provided space for the program to do their training, and the program uses our labs to evaluate the samples that they collect. The program has provided a wealth of high-quality data by which to monitor the plants and invertebrates in the wetlands within the county.”
Community partnerships are a vital element of the college’s Vision Statement.
Vision
At Inver Hills, we aspire to create a transformational education for every student founded on belonging, learning, support, clear pathways, and community engagement.
Students at Inver Hills will say of their education:
Belonging: “I am valued for who I am.”
Learning: “I am engaged in meaningful learning.”
Support: “I have the support I need.”
Clear Pathways: “I know where I am going and how to get there.”
Community Engagement: “I am engaged in community.”
Why monitor wetlands?¹
Wetlands vital, but neglected…
Over half of the total wetland area of the lower United States has been lost since European settlement. Wetlands have been drained for farming, residential development, business development, and road expansions. Remaining wetlands are often impacted by current human activities. Very few undisturbed wetlands exist.
Wetland functions
Wetlands provide a wide variety of functions that protect the quality of all of our waters.
Wetlands act as a:
- FILTER. They filter pollutants and excess nutrients out of water as it soaks into the ground.
- SPONGE. They absorb stormwater and snowmelt, reducing the risk of flood. This slow absorption allows for much of the water to soak through the soil, recharging our groundwater (drinking water) supply.
- NURSERY. Many species of amphibians, mammals, reptiles and birds rely on the safe wetland environment to raise their young. Wetlands often lack the large fish species and other predators that may feed on their young.
- HOTEL. Many migrating waterfowl, shorebirds and songbirds stop at wetlands during their migrations in the spring and fall. Wetlands offer a wide variety of high protein organisms for them to feed on, allowing them to refuel.
- HOME. In addition to other wildlife, countless small organisms (insects, worms, snails, leeches, crustaceans) and plants make wetlands their home. Wetlands offer a very unique habitat.
- RECREATION DESTINATION. They provide beautiful views and plenty of opportunities for recreation (birdwatching, canoeing, hunting, exploring).
WHEP volunteers, with scientists and local governments, evaluate the health of our wetlands and work toward their protection.
Macroinvertebrates and plants
Volunteers monitor two primary wetland communities:
- Macroinvertebrates (small organisms without a backbone)
Volunteers collect and identify aquatic macroinvertebrates. These include insects, worms, leeches, snails and small crustaceans. Each is sensitive to different levels of human disturbance. By learning “who” is in our wetlands and their abundance, we can determine the quality of our wetlands.- Plants
Certain species of plants are more tolerant to poor water quality than others. Certain plants will flourish in healthy wetlands, while others will not occur at all. Volunteers inventory plants in selected wetlands. Their findings are then used to determine the health of the wetland.Both plants and macroinvertebrates are identified, counted, and then used to measure the wetland health through a scoring process called the Index of Biological Integrity (IBI).
¹ SOURCE: MN WHEP
WHEP coordinator perspective: Paula Liepold
Paula Liepold serves as an environmental specialist in Dakota County’s Environmental Resources Department. Paula is also the county’s WHEP coordinator.
Paula Liepold • Q & A
When and why did WHEP’s partnership with Inver Hills begin?
Components of the Wetland Health Evaluation Program include collecting and identifying macroinvertebrates and identifying plants in selected wetlands. The presence and number of certain species can indicate wetland health. Identifying these small macroinvertebrates requires volunteers use dissecting microscopes, so fine details of the specimen can be seen.
The lab at Inver Hills allows ample space for several volunteers to work together, guided by a team leader, to look at the macroinvertebrate samples under the dissecting microscopes. The partnership between Inver Hills and WHEP began about 20 years ago.
What type of classroom/lab space do the WHEP volunteers need for their work?
WHEP volunteers use a classroom and labs in Heritage Hall. Volunteers attend a half-day macroinvertebrate identification training where they first learn identifying characteristics of snails, leeches, dragonflies, damselflies, and other macroinvertebrates in the classroom.
Then, they split into teams to practice identification skills in the lab. Using preserved samples and a key in a Citizen’s Guide to Macroinvertebrate Index of Biological Integrity guide, volunteers learn to identify species to the genus level. Each team of volunteers monitors selected wetlands in their community. They preserve the macroinvertebrates collected in bottle traps and dipnets.
Throughout the summer, teams use the same labs at Inver Hills to sort and identify the collected specimen. Volunteers complete data sheets and use metrics to determine the wetland score of poor, moderate, or excellent.
What type of work are the WHEP volunteers doing in the classroom/lab space?
A Minnesota Pollution Control Agency biologist leads a macroinvertebrate identification training in the classroom space. Volunteers learn:
- What a macroinvertebrate is
- Why sample macroinvertebrates
- Metrics used for assessment of the health of the macroinvertebrate community
- Index of Biological Integrity—a multiple-factor measure to assess health and wetlands selected based on their ability to reflect human-induced changes
- How to preserve a sample collected in the wetland
In the labs using dissecting microscopes, volunteers use a branching key to identify major groups of macroinvertebrates. They complete data sheets used to create a report.
What are some things WHEP volunteers enjoy most about studying wetland habitats?
Many WHEP volunteers return for multiple years because the program is about science. They take pride in their community’s wetlands. The volunteers understand the importance of wetlands, and they like learning about ecosystems and the environment. The program also connects them to a group and their community.
WHEP on WCCO
In July 2023, WCCO Next Weather Investigates aired a story about WHEP. Erin Hassanzadeh, WCCO-TV reporter, interviewed Paula Liepold and Rosemount WHEP team leaders, Jane Porterfield and Stephan Hoche, at a wetland in Rosemount.
Volunteers explore Dakota County wetlands for signs of biodiversity
MN WHEP gallery
Environmental Science at Inver Hills
Housed primarily within the Biology department, our Environmental Science program delivers a curriculum taught by faculty with wide-ranging expertise and experience. Benefiting from small classes and hands-on labs, you will work closely with accomplished instructors with proficiency in the relevant science as well as a commitment to your success both academically and professionally.
Award
Environmental Science A.S. • 60 credits
The 60-credit Environmental Science Associate of Science (A.S.) degree program prepares you to transfer as a junior to a four-year college or university to complete a bachelor’s degree in environmental science or an array of life science disciplines ranging from botany to biochemistry to zoology.
As a student in this A.S. degree program, you will complete the Environmental Science Curriculum (31 credits) and the General Education Curriculum (29 credits) for a credit total of 60.
Environmental Science Program Planning Guide
Why study Environmental Science at Inver Hills?
Explore life for a living.
Encompassing a massive array of disciplines both basic and applied, the life sciences can be defined as the study of life. Career paths in the life sciences include biochemist, microbiologist, industrial pharmacist, environmental scientist, wildlife biologist, and food scientist for starters.
Gain hands-on, real-world research experience.
We offer myriad opportunities for field and lab work. Our faculty supervise student research projects both on and off campus. We have active scientific studies on our own campus, including environmental monitoring and restoration programs in our 40-acre natural area.
It’s not just an education, it’s an adventure.
We partner with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and other organizations to provide research and learning opportunities in state parks and other locations.
Find your perfect environment on campus.
As an environmental science student, you’ll get to collaborate with fellow students, faculty, and staff on projects designed to give Inver Hills a sustainable campus. Potential projects involve the Inver Hills Community Garden and Orchard and proposed Unity Trail. Inver Hills was the first community college in Minnesota to be certified as a Bee Campus USA.
Protect our one and only planet.
Environmental science illuminates the best ways to conserve the Earth’s resources and ecosystems. Human overpopulation and consumption threaten not only our own survival, but also the lives of the estimated 8.7 million animal and plant species sharing our fragile globe.
Solve the toughest problems of our times.
Studying environmental science gives you the tools to face down BIG challenges. Take your pick from desertification, deforestation, pollution, waste disposal, endangered species, climate change, overdevelopment, water scarcity, and so forth. The list isn’t getting any shorter.
Turn your passion for the wonders of life into a baccalaureate degree.
Completing your A.S. in Environmental Science equips you with courses and credits that transfer to a four-year program in the same discipline or a related life science major such as wildlife management, ecology, plant and microbial biology, genetics, cell biology, and more.
Saving our Earth is job one.
Delving into the life sciences gives you dynamic access to numerous career field options, including biology, botany, zoology, medicine, biotechnology, ecology, genetic engineering, and much more. If you’re passionate about learning everything you can about life, Environmental Science at Inver Hills is your portal to success.
Career opportunities
As an environmental scientist, you’ll investigate natural and human-made processes to find out how and why those processes interact to influence and oftentimes harm Earth’s complex biomes.
A career in environmental science could be just right for you if you’re seeking an integrated, interdisciplinary understanding of environmental systems and human impacts, plus a science-based approach to addressing issues that affect human, animal, and ecosystem health, along with the chance to learn real, hands-on methods that can prevent and solve environmental problems.
Climate Change at Inver Hills…
Inver Hills Community College is offering a new Climate Change certificate starting fall semester 2022. The 16-credit certificate provides a broad introduction to the scientific mechanisms and social drivers of climate change. Coursework also explores the social, political, and moral challenges of climate change as well as potential solutions.
Award
Climate Change certificate • 16 credits
The 16-credit Climate Change certificate program offers courses across four different areas: Climate Change, Climate Science, Climate and Society: Social Concerns, and Climate and Society: Solutions.
Courses of study include:
- Environmental Philosophy
- Environmental Science
- Engineering Solutions
- General Ecology
- Introduction to Climate Change Studies
- Introduction to Environmental Politics
- Meteorology
- Women and Global Issues
- And much more…
Climate Change Program Planning Guide
Why study Climate Change at Inver Hills?
Climate change education is essential.
Many high schools are no longer requiring Earth Science or other sciences relevant to climate, which means student exposure to climate science could be minimal.
We need to comprehend the scope of the challenge.
Humans make positive changes when they understand the problem. We can’t change what we don’t acknowledge. Our hope is students come away with a better understanding of the natural and human causes of climate change and how to improve the lives of all humans.
Strong policy shifts are a big step.
Major change happens at the policy level. Good policy involves good scientists and a trust of climate science.
Oceans do their own thing.
Oceans don’t care about people’s political persuasions. All they know how to do is rise. Warmer oceans do not absorb carbon from the atmosphere, unlike cold oceans, and the result is more greenhouse gases. Warmer oceans increase in volume and the result is sea-level rise.
Think beyond our borders.
The climate changes we’re seeing in Minnesota are the tip of the iceberg. In the new course, Introduction to Climate Change Studies, we’ll explore what is happening globally. Who is seeing the most changes and why? How are these changes affecting people’s everyday lives? What changes are people having to make to survive?
Polar warming is a red alert.
Cold (polar) regions are seeing far greater warming than warmer (equatorial) regions. We’ll explore Indigenous observations of the Arctic and the vast amount of changes they have seen, including thinning sea ice, changes in ice and snow characteristics, poor body condition of many animals, permafrost melt, greater frequency of extreme weather events, and other issues.
The refugee crisis will touch everyone.
If climate change is the shark, the hydrologic cycle is the teeth. Changes in the hydrologic cycle are what is going to bite people in the end. Climate refugees are fleeing to other countries or even within the United States. Minnesota is one of the locations where climate refugees are coming, and we’ll explore the reasons why.
Climate change is an urgent global challenge.
Green Citizen lists 21 rewarding jobs that fuel climate change solutions, including urban grower, brownfield restorer, invasive species controller, weatherization expert, sustainability consultant, environmental lawyer, conservation scientist, climatologist, power grid modernization expert, and disaster preparedness trainer.
Career opportunities
According to Indeed: “In recent years, the market for climate change and sustainability jobs has grown considerably. This growth may be attributed to new developments in client science and society’s increased awareness of how humans impact the environment.
“It’s likely that this industry will continue to broaden as the need for active environmental conservation and policies geared toward sustainability increases over time. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the employment of environmental scientists and specialists is projected to grow 8 percent in the next 10 years from 2019 to 2029—a rate that is much faster than average.
“If you’re interested in environmentalism, there are an array of careers to consider in which you can work toward addressing climate change. Depending on your specific interests, you may choose to work in a variety of roles.”
Learn more about the Environmental Science and Climate Change programs at Inver Hills by contacting:
Admissions Team
admissions@inverhills.edu
651-450-3902
866-576-0689
College Center
- Want more information? Fill out an inquiry form.
- Ready to apply? Fill out an application.
- Want to virtually visit campus? Check out our upcoming visit opportunities.
- Can’t make it to campus? Take our virtual tour.
Minnesota Wetland Health Evaluation Program (WHEP)
Managed in the Dakota County Environmental Resources Department
Dakota County
14955 Galaxie Avenue
Apple Valley, MN 55124
Learn more about WHEP by contacting:
Paula Liepold
Environmental Specialist
WHEP Coordinator
Environmental Resources Department
paula.liepold@co.dakota.mn.us
952-891-7117
Dakota County
14955 Galaxie Avenue
Apple Valley, MN 55124
Want to be a WHEP volunteer? Visit the Dakota County volunteer website starting in April through mid-May.
Or contact:
Garrett Zaffke
Community Outreach and Volunteer Services Coordinator
Garrett.Zaffke@co.dakota.mn.us
651-438-4635
