Native Skywatchers - Turtle Island Skywatchers - Minnesota Research and Data Visualization Grant

Native Skywatchers - Turtle Island Skywatchers

Minnesota Research and Data Visualization Project

(on left) Endangered Blanding Turtle (photo by Angela Grill & team), Digital artwork by Annette S. Lee ©2025

"Turtle Island Skywatchers
Minnesota Research and Data Visualization”

Project Summary - Minnesota Research and Data Visualization project works to protect Minnesota water, wildlife, and natural resources while empowering Indigenous youth as leaders and all citizens as researchers.

Turtles are of great importance to many Indigenous traditions. Recent investigations have documented that turtles & many understudied species previously believed to be mute, communicate with diverse sounds. Paired visual and acoustic recordings are essential data collection methods to document this behavior.

Two Field Sites: Crow-Hassan Park Reserve (Three Rivers Park District) and Mound Springs (MN Valley National Wildlife Refuge)

Field Site 1 - Crow-Hassan Park Reserve

Field Site 2 - Mound Springs Park, part of the MN Valley National Wildlife Refuge

"Native Skywatchers - Turtle Island Skywatchers - Research grant "

Feb 2025 to Jun 2026

This is a three-fold science research-based project at the intersection of research and community.
(1) Collect images and acoustic data from turtles and their habitats, analyze the data, and explore research questions.
(2) Data visualization of Minnesota place-based animals especially related to Indigenous constellations, climate crisis, and environmental stewardship.
(3) Engage residents of Minnesota in a citizen science research-based call to action. Raw data collected by our team will be streamlined into an easy-to-participate online initiative.

Field Site 1 - Crow-Hassan Park Reserve

Field Site 2 - Mound Springs Park, part of the MN Valley National Wildlife Refuge

Field Site 1 - Crow-Hassan Park Reserve

Field Site 2 - Mound Springs Park, part of the MN Valley National Wildlife Refuge

Field Site 1 - Crow-Hassan Park Reserve

Field Site 2 - Mound Springs Park, part of the MN Valley National Wildlife Refuge

Project Team:

Annette S. Lee-PhD, DSc, MFA, MFA, Scientist-Artist, Indigenous Science, Media & Communication, Native Skywatchers, Principal Investigator
Gary Casper-PhD, Wildlife Biologist-Acoustic Ecologist, Mequon Nature Preserve, Co-Investigator
Carmen Gavin Vanegas-M.S, M.A., South High School, All Nations Program, Science Lead Teacher, Co-Investigator
Angela Grill, Wildlife Supervisor, Three River Parks District, Collaborator
Kassie Benjamin-Ficken, Teacher, Math, South High School, Contributor
Bezh David Butler, Culture and Language, South High School, Contributor
Sheila Zepheir, South High School, Contributor
Pat Kruse, Teacher-Artist, Cultural Knowledge Holder, Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, Contributor
Charles Grolla, , Cultural Knowledge Holder, Teacher at Cass Lake Bena Schools, Contributor
Ramona Kitto Stately, Cultural Knowledge Holder, We are Still Here Minnesota, MN Indian Education Association, Contributor
Stan Tekiela, Wildlife Biologist and author, Nature Smart, Contributor

Miigwech, Pidamayaye, Thank you

Funding for this project was provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR). The Trust Fund is a permanent fund constitutionally established by the citizens of Minnesota to assist in the protection, conservation, preservation, and enhancement of the state’s air, water, land, fish, wildlife, and other natural resources. Currently 40% of net Minnesota State Lottery proceeds are dedicated to growing the Trust Fund and ensuring future benefits for Minnesota’s environment and natural resources.