Historical Records and Studies

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1865
Bearing Tree
Records Survey

View data relative to the plant communities of Saint John’s which was collected in 1865. Paul Melchior, North Hennepin Community College compiled the data into this electronic format.

1934
The Natural History of Collegeville, MN

Completed in 1934 by D. Alexius Hoffmann, O.S.B. this document provides an overview of the geography, geology, minerology, hydrology, and biological communities present in Collegeville Township in 1934. Hand drawn sketches of plants and uses of natural resources are inserted along with the text of the document. The original document was handwritten manuscript but was retyped in its current form by a student of Paul Melchior, North Hennepin Community College.

1945
Our Weather
and Climate

Completed in 1945 by Fr. Bromenshenkel & Fr. Schneider O.S.B., this document discusses the construction, use, and history of the Saint John’s weather station. A couple pages contain graphs and figures that are inserted along with the document. 

1977
Study of the Vegetation in the Upland Forest

A thesis completed by Lorraine Cofell while studying at St. Cloud State University. Data was collected to determine the composition and stage of succession of the forest, compare areas of clear-cut with areas not clear-cut, and compare differences in species on north and south slopes.

2002
Oak Savanna
Planting

Coordinating with Minnesota Native Landscapes and Prairie Restoration, Inc, Saint John’s Abbey planted a variety of native grasses and forbs in the 35 acre oak savannah restoration in 2002.

2003
Bonestroo
Watershed Report

Saint John’s University recognizes the need and value in maintaining water quality in the watershed as it flows through the campus. The goals of this study were to identify sources and amounts of phosphorus loading to the main water bodies on campus, to recommend management actions, and to create a framework for a implementing a water quality management plan.

2004
Campus Hot Spot Assessment

This technical memo is a follow-up to the 2003 Bonestroo Watershed Report. The analysis was initiated as a result of the 2003 report characterizing the watershed for Saint John’s Abbey & University. While the 2003 report was a broad scale investigation into the sources and magnitude of pollutant loads in the University’s lakes, this hot spot analysis identifies, at a fine level of detail, the sources and magnitude of sediment and nutrient loads within the campus.

2005
Deer Tick
Survey

The Minnesota Department of Health sampled for deer ticks (Ixodes scapularis) at Saint John’s Abbey Arboretum in 2005 as part of its effort to explain increasing rates of tick-borne diseases in Minnesota. This letter summarizes their findings.

2009
Aerial Deer
Survey

On February 5, 2009, the Minnesota DNR conducted an aerial deer survey of Saint John’s and neighboring properties. The report shows that Saint John’s has made great strides in reducing the deer population since the implementation of a deer management plan in 2007. The report encourages Saint John’s to continue to consistently implement sustainable deer harvests every year to maintain the deer herd levels at or below the levels recorded here.

2003-2009
Shorebird
Surveys

CSB+SJU Biology Professor Philip Chu completed annual shorebird counts in the Abbey Arboretum.

2010-2012
Loon
Observations

Since 1993, volunteers at Saint John’s have helped monitor Minnesota’s loons by installing nesting platforms, and reporting nesting pairs, chick hatches, and chick survival rates to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

2012
Purple Martin
Nesting Boxes

Tracking eggs, hatches, and fledglings at purple martin nesting sites in Avon and the Abbey Arboretum.