Archive for February, 2013

Which is the bigger global health problem: malnutrition or overeating?

According to The Global Burden of Disease report, a large study published in The Lancet in December 2012, for the first time in human history, overeating is causing more health problems globally than is malnutrition. In 1990, the leading global health problem, as estimated by shortened life span, was under-nutrition. When the study was repeated […]

Geosciences take over Chapel

A trifecta of Gustavus geography and geology professors will be headlining the 10am daily Chapel time this week and next: Dr. Mark Bjelland (Geography) will be speaking on Friday, Feb. 22, Dr. Ryan Bergstrom (Geography) on Monday, Feb. 25, and Dr. Julie Bartley (Geology) on Tuesday, Feb. 26. Come join us for the Geosciences’ three-day […]

Prof. Bjelland to give talk on “the greenest city in the world”

Mark Bjelland (Geography) will present at Faculty Shop Talk on Friday, February 22. His talk entitled, “Sustainable for Whom? Density, Family Life, and Commuting in the Greenest City in the World” will be presented at 4:30 p.m. in the Interpretive Center. Dr. Bjelland’s study explores the successes, failures, and unintended consequences of Vancouver, British Columbia’s […]

J-Term Course Explores Wilderness Management Issues

The goal of GEG 151 (Wilderness: Recreation and Resource) was to expand students’ understanding and appreciation of wilderness through an examination of recreational activities and natural resource uses. In particular, the class focused on the human dimensions of recreation and extractive activities including their historical and contemporary context, the agencies and management strategies related to […]

Taking a walking tour of a giant Africa map

The Gustavus Geography Department sponsored the visit of a giant floor map of Africa this week and invited area school children to come and take a walking tour of Africa. The map, which measures 26 feet by 35 feet, was on loan from National Geographic via the Minnesota Alliance for Geographic Education. With the help […]

Landsat 8! Hurray!

Landsat satellites provide us with the longest continuous record of remotely sensed earth images. Today NASA and the USGS launched what will be Landsat 8 (if all goes well after a test run of three months). The satellite carries two sensors, the Operational Land Imager (OLI) and Thermal Infrared Sensor (TIRS), which will carry on the […]

2013 Geography Photo Contest

The Department of Geography is pleased to announce their 2013 photo contest.  The contest is open to any current student, faculty, or staff at Gustavus Adolphus College.  This year, the photo contest will include three categories (natural landscapes, cultural landscapes, and people’s choice).  Each entry will consist of an entry form and a single image […]

Water levels in Lake Michigan and Lake Huron at historical lows

From The Detroit News, Feb. 1, 2013, by Jim Lynch: Lake Michigan and Lake Huron water levels are at all-time lows of 576.02 feet above sea level, beating the former low from 1964. “Gov. Rick Snyder next week is expected to announce emergency action to help dredge harbors in Michigan because the state counts on […]

Talk by Prof. Douglas: Log buildings and cultural heritage

Linnaeus Arboretum Soup and Sandwich Seminar Series Wednesday, February 20th, 2013 Bob Douglas  —   “Log Buildings and Cultural Heritage” Lunch provided at 11:30, speaker at 12:00.  Arboretum Interpretive Center To what extent do our buildings reflect who we are?  Bob Douglas, Gustavus Geography Emeritus Professor, leads us on an examination of pioneer log buildings […]

Minnesota State Geography receives major endowment

The Department of Geography at Minnesota State University in Mankato, MN, is the recipient of a major endowment gifted by Dr. Mary T. Dooley, Professor Emerita of Geography. The endowment will provide student scholarships and research expenses as well as build the collection of the University Map Library. For more information and to learn more […]