Art and Ecology with the MSP_LTER (Minneapolis-St. Paul Long Term Ecological Research)

The MSPLTER is one of many nation-wide LTER sites looking at ecological questions over several decades; Minneapolis-St. Paul is one of two urban sites (the other is in Phoenix). The LTER was founded by the National Science Foundation in 1980; MSP_LTER began in 2021.

Jessie works with invasive species/natural ink/workshop artist Kim Boustead and other artist-organizers to help facilitate connections between ecologists and communities. The MSPLTER was founded with the goal of co-creating research with communities, and Kim and Jessie are interested in creative ways of using hands-on activities to facilitate conversation and the sharing of questions and ideas. Shanai Matteson (recently organizing Talon Mine Tours, Tamarack Water Alliance) and Amoke Kubat (Yo Mama’s House) collaborate on these events and brought Kim and Jessie into the community engagement team of the MSP_LTER as artist-organizer contractors in November 2023.

Jessie is particularly interested in overlaps of this work, transporation advocacy work with Our Streets MN, and the activation of research to confront pressing issues in our collective ecosystem such as how to protect precious resources like fresh water and clean air and reduce our fixation on efficiency and profit.

“Ramble” on Salt: sharing ideas and questions around the threat of salination in freshwater in the Twin Ciites at the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization.

Collaboration between ecologists studying the effects of salt and chlorination in freshwater in the Twin Cities and artist-organizers Jessie Merriam and Kim Boustead with the MSP_LTER. Hosted by the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization, this event was designed as an introductory conversation starter and means of gathering questions and ideas, connecting watershed practitioners, scientists, salt practitioners (facilities managers, sustainability policy makers), and community members. Featuring photopolymer postcard printmaking with a platen press, large scale maps and data with conversation starters for small group conversation, as well as snacks and refreshments.

Frogtown Green Climate Carnival: Forest Service and St. Thomas bee team with tree ring printmaking.

The Minneapolis-St. Paul Long Term Ecological Research project is a collaboration between the US Forest Service, University of Minnesota and University of St. Thomas researchers, as well as community partners. At this event, representatives from several teams tabled at Frogtown Green’s Climate Carnival to share about various research initiatives that could collaborate with neighbors (on urban tree canopy and tree stewards, adapting tree choices for climate change, planting pollinator gardens, the Forest Service Urban Connections program, soil health and air quality). Frogtown is predominantly an immigrant community with a history of environmental justice issues and a high percentage of renters, and Frogtown Green works to help renters plant trees.

“Ramble” on tree species and climate change: Adaptive Silviculture at Crosby Farm, spring 2024.

Ecologists and neighbors are working together to steward experimental tree plots at Crosby Farm Regional Park, in the floodplain along the Mississippi River in St. Paul. At this event, forest ecologist Rebecca Montgomery led a guided walk discussing the effects of Emerald Ash Borer, changes in forest canopy with the loss of ash, and plots where ecologists are testing the success of Minnesota native tree species sourced from Minnesota and farther south, as well as southern species planted in the warming climate of the Twin Cities. Kim and Jessie guided participants in printing tree rings from species in the Crosby Farm canopy, as well as bark marked by the galleries of the Emerald Ash Borer. Several of the tree “cookies” were provided by Eddy Olson-Enamorado from the Cedar Creek LTER.