Danny Vojcak Professor Jackson ES 281 12/16/2017 Integrative Research & Reflection Paper Part A: Integration and Application in Environmental Studies For the ACE project, I was a member of Group E: Lake Stories. I originally chose to join the Lake Stories group because I was interested in learning about the history of nearby lakes and creating materials for the CRWP to use for outreach and community engagement. Our group partnered with Kevin Strauss from the Cannon River Watershed Partnership (CRWP) to conduct research on four different lakes—two in Rice County and two in Le Sueur County. We researched Circle Lake and Fox Lake in Rice County, and Tetonka Lake and Sakatah Lake in Le Sueur County. Kevin asked us to focus our research on four topics: (1) the biological and geological history of the region around the lakes, (2) the human history of the lakes and the nearby communities, (3) historical photos of the lakes, and (4) modern news articles regarding the lakes (1970-today). I was responsible for researching Fox Lake. As I researched Fox Lake for the Lake Stories ACE project this past semester, I consistently thought about the ultimate purpose of our lakes research. The CRWP’s mission is to engage people in protecting and improving the water quality and natural systems of the Cannon River watershed. The CRWP can use our lakes research to help community members learn about, form connections with, and develop a sense of responsibility towards their local surroundings. Just as early settlers in Forest Township had a clear connection to Fox Lake as a popular gathering, picnicking, and fishing spot, it is also clear that our research can assist the CRWP in helping present-day community members reconnect with the Cannon River watershed and feel motivated to take voluntary actions to improve water quality. An overarching theme I identified from my civic engagement project, therefore, is the importance of place-identity and how one situates the self within the larger narrative of the natural environment. Some of our class readings and discussions inspired me to further examine place-identity and how a narrative story of place shapes one’s connection with and commitment to the natural environment. For example, we discussed in class how the Sioux have a familial relationship with their surroundings. Not only do they believe that the Earth, the sky, and the water are all imbued with spirit, but they also believe that their surroundings are their kin. They feel responsible for the present embodiment of their ancestors. In addition, one of our class readings was Taylor