We hosted this Ramble at the NE Community Dye Garden, for which MSP LTER Artist-in-Residence Kim Boustead is a Minneapolis Park Steward. Attendees were able to see what's growing in the dye garden and talk with Kim about past and future dye plant projects. Urban Contaminants Team researchers presented about urban gardening and contaminants, and bee lawn pollinator research. We offered sewing on our ongoing embroidered mural of the Mississippi River (with threads dyed by Kim from dye garden plants last year), and herbalist Emily Pearson Ryan offered introductions to some of the medicinal plants growing in and around the garden. MSP LTER Artist-in-Residence Jessie Merriam led a printing activity from woodblocks of local plants.

This public event concluded our 2024 Summer Symposium. The afternoon Community Science-Art Fair was organized by the Community Engagement Assessment Team. Open to the public, the event included booths & activities from each of our research teams. We are considering offering a similar event in late 2025 or 2026.

Special thank you to the at the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO) for hosting the event, MWMO Artist-in-Residence Sarah Nassif for her leadership and coordination, Amoke Kubat for leading art activities and discussion among attendees, and Keegan Xavi for her beautiful photography.

This inaugural LTER Ramble at Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO) was a chance to connect LTER members with the larger Twin Cities community. We gathered around for an embroidery activity and conversation, and shared research and questions around Twin Cities ecological issues as we started a collaborative embroidered fabric mural.