MINNESOTA—In the twin cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Minnesota, the National Science Foundation is funding a new long-term ecological research project with an initial investment of $7.1 million over 6 years. LTER research will focus on the dynamics of urban nature and the urban social system in the face of rapid environmental and social change. The University of Minnesota is leading the project in partnership with the Northern Research Station, the University of St. Thomas and The Nature Conservancy. From mapping heavy metals and salt in soils across the Twin Cities metro to better understanding the intersection of investments in urban nature and racial injustice, researchers will launch an initial nine research projects and initiatives.  

Two Forest Service researchers, Susannah Lerman and Leslie Brandt, will lead research focused on adapting urban forests for climate change, pollinator habitat and urban tree canopy. In fact, Brandt’s investigation into adapting Twin Cities forests for climate change is already under way. A tree planting last summer at Crosby Farm Regional Park is designed to test how well different species perform in filling gaps in Mississippi River floodplain that resulted from the loss of ash trees to emerald ash borer.

“We are honored to be part of this National Science Foundation project and the resources available through the Northern Research Station research units and Region 9 staff located in Saint Paul make the Forest Service team especially well-equipped to contribute to the long-term ecological research project,” said Cindi West, Northern Research Station and Forest Products Laboratory director.

Northern Research station news release is available for more details.