Wetlands in the Minnesota River Watershed:
Loss over Time and Its Meaning for Sustainability

Neil Frakes

Geographic focus: USA / Minnesota River Watershed

Date completed: 2002

In addition to their vital roles in any natural environment, wetlands provide a host of services to the rural and urban settlements that surround them. Neil Frakes, a student at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota, created a series of maps to show how, since the end of the 19th century, wetlands in Minnesota have been drained to create available land for agricultural, residential, commercial and industrial use. He made several recommendations, including preservation of remaining wetlands, creation of new wetlands, and a campaign to educate the public about the importance of wetlands.

Topics / keywords: Wetlands; Land Management

Project (pdf - 0.1MB)
Map (pdf - 0.4MB)