Every time you play the lottery, you’re supporting some extraordinary environmental projects that are making a difference throughout all of Minnesota. This latest project is no exception. Through the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, lottery dollars are helping to solve complex puzzles, including this Lichen project at the University of Minnesota.

Monitoring air quality is crucial for public health, but it’s often costly and complex. Thankfully, Mother Nature has provided a low-cost, effective solution: lichens! These fascinating organisms, a symbiotic partnership between fungi and algae, are like nature's air quality superheroes. They don’t have roots, stems, or leaves, and they serve as a food source for deer, birds, squirrels, and chipmunks.

But here’s the coolest part: lichens are incredibly sensitive to air quality. They absorb humidity and nutrients from the atmosphere along with any pollutants like heavy metals and particulate matter. This makes them perfect air-quality indicators, giving scientists a natural way to measure pollution levels.


The University of Minnesota’s Lichen Project

Researchers at the University of Minnesota are harnessing the power of lichens in some innovative ways:

  • Transplanted Lichens: By using transplanted lichens, researchers can indicate pollution levels in an area over a few months.
  • Lichen Surveys: Surveys of local lichens provide a snapshot of recent years' pollution levels.
  • Archival Lichens: Studying old lichens can help track air quality changes over the past century.

This project aims to complement data from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and other entities, offering a more complete picture of the state’s air quality.


Citizen Science and Community Involvement

What’s even more exciting is the plan to involve Minnesotans in this scientific adventure. In collaboration with the University of Minnesota Bell Museum and Extension, researchers will develop user-friendly procedures so anyone can become a citizen naturalist. Imagine spotting lichens in your backyard and contributing to a statewide project!

Expanding Air Quality Data

One significant outcome of this project will be generating data from areas in Minnesota where air quality data is currently unavailable. This information will help improve public health and conserve natural resources.


Lottery Dollars at Work

This innovative research is just one example of how lottery dollars benefit Minnesota’s environment. A portion of every dollar spent on lottery games supports initiatives that improve the quality of life for all Minnesotans.

So, when you play the lottery, you’re not just dreaming of hitting the jackpot—you’re also helping to make Minnesota a better place to live.