Building Community Resourcefulness Through Engagement in Morton, Minnesota

Abstract

This capstone project explores how the small town of Morton, Minnesota, is building resourcefulness - not just resilience - in the face of increasing flood risk. Grounded in a framework developed by MacKinnon and Derickson, we focused on four elements of local adaptive capacity: resources, technical knowledge, local knowledge, and recognition. Our work included site visits, facilitated community workshops, and analysis of infrastructure and emergency planning needs. Focusing on the social dimension of this issue, we supported community-led strategies that build upon Morton’s rich knowledge base and social cohesion. Our findings emphasize that flood mitigation in Morton must center local leadership, prioritize actionable tools for individual and collective preparedness, and seek systems of support that recognize the needs and ingenuity of rural places. This project offers a model for rural engagement that builds long-term resourcefulness by honoring the community’s deep commitment to place and its creative problem-solving power.