Urban Ecosystems Lab
at the University of
St. Thomas
We use ecosystem science to advance urban sustainability through impactful research in our backyard, and through training the next generation of environmental scientists and STEM educators.
Our work
Urban agriculture provides ecosystem services such as nutrient recycling, stormwater infiltration, urban cooling, pollinator habitat, and of course food production. We are focused on understanding how climate change affects these services, and how urban agriculture can help cities be more resilient in a changing climate.
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With over 1000 lakes in the MSP Metro region, we have a natural laboratory to understand how management activities and climate change are affecting water quality. This work is part of the MSP LTER urban ecology project.
Through course-embedded research projects and guided independent research, we train undergraduates (and high school students, and K-12 educators) to be urban ecosystem scientists.