The multi-year collaboration aims to leverage farmer knowledge and experience and combine it with soil sampling to determine how soil conditions are impacted by being on the edge of agricultural fields, leading to useful management recommendations for creating productive farmlands. Intensive agriculture requires widespread adoption of conservation practices to mitigate loss of ecosystem services. Planting native perennial vegetation at the edge-of-fields (EOF) is a conservation practice shown to improve soil health and protect water quality. The deep root systems and stiff stems of
Bird Sanctuary to feature poetry by Artist in Residence, Mikayla Thompson, this April
During the month of April, the Kellogg Bird Sanctuary is celebrating National Poetry Month by placing poems along the Sanctuary’s Paved Path. Be inspired by both nature and the art of poetry as you walk the trail. The Poetry on the Trail event will share several poems by KBS faculty, Kadeem Gilbert, and 2025 KBS LTER Artists in Residence, Mikayla Thompson, whose work explores grief, love, and joy through her poetry depicting relationships between herself, her loved ones, and the natural world. This activity will be available during the Sanctuary’s standard operating hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Kara Haas, KBS LTER K-12 Partnership Coordinator, wins MSU award for community engagement
Kara Haas, coordinator for the KBS LTER K-12 Partnership program, has been honored with an award from the Michigan State University Office of University Outreach and Engagement. The Graduate Student Award for Community Engagement Scholarship recognizes students for exemplary community-engaged scholarship during their years of graduate study. The award is given annually, to up to four students per year. Educators voice their support Among the statements of support for her nomination: “One of Kara’s greatest strengths is disseminating the scientific information gathered
Using community-engaged scholarship to address conservation barriers in rural Michigan croplands
Cynthia Fiser is a PhD candidate in the Landis Lab at Michigan State University, Department of Entomology and a 2024 KBS Broader Impacts Fellow. Her research looks at the ecological and social impacts of perennial prairie strips in row crop agriculture. Change starts with people. Grassroots efforts that encourage people to learn, adapt, and share with others can help facilitate both community and individual capacity building. In the academic community, we pride ourselves that we know what the problems are, and it is our research that will be the solution. However,
MSU KBS broader impacts: Mentoring the next generation of community-engaged scholars
Post by Cynthia Fiser, graduate student in Doug Landis’s lab in the Michigan State University Department of Entomology and 2024 Broader Impacts Fellow. Her research looks at the impact of perennial prairie strips on the dispersal of ground beetles in row crop agriculture. Broader impacts, the practical component or long-term goal of most research projects, are often delegated to the final section of a grant proposal, paper, or presentation. However, broader impacts are front and center to successful research at Michigan State University’s Kellogg Biological Station. The
Good Neighbors: An evening with KBS LTER Artist-in-Residence, Trevor Grabill
On the evening of Friday, July 19th, over 50 members of the public and Kellogg Biological Station community joined us for an evening exploring the intersection of art and science. The Good Neighbors event took place at the Overlook Building in the Kellogg Bird Sanctuary, and featured new work by Kalamazoo printmaker and 2023 KBS LTER artist-in-residence, Trevor Grabill. Trevor shared woodcut prints inspired by their time spent learning about ongoing research at the biological station. Attendees enjoyed refreshments, mingling, and a chance to meet with the artist and
New prairie strip partial budget tool from MiSTRIPS team
Conservation practices require a significant investment in time and money. There are often large implementation costs, learning curves, and labor required, all of which might prevent farmers and landowners from being able to adopt these practices. Additionally, when there are no tangible payments or products, the financial benefits may seem invisible. Yet, conservation practices provide many benefits to the cropping system, often by improving soil health, protecting water quality, and increasing yield stability. Because of this, farmers are often eligible for payments which can offset or even
Kellogg Biological Station’s K-12 Partnership Summer Institute to mark its 25th anniversary this month
Hickory Corners, Mich. — Teachers and informal educators of K-12 students are invited to engage in science teaching professional development this summer at the W.K. Kellogg Biological Station. The 25th annual K-12 Partnership Summer Institute is set for 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 25, through Thursday, June 27. This year’s theme is “The Power of Long-term Partnerships.” About the Summer Institute Each day will start with a lecture from someone whose career has been impacted by their participation in the Partnership,
Melissa Frost, KBS LTER RET, named Michigan Department of Education’s Region 7 Teacher of the Year!
BUCHANAN, MI - Buchanan Community Schools proudly announces that Melissa Frost, esteemed educator and dedicated science teacher of Buchanan High School, has been honored as the Michigan Department of Education’s Region 7 Teacher of the Year for the academic year 2024-2025. The Teacher of the Year program, organized by the Michigan Department of Education, aims to recognize and celebrate outstanding educators who demonstrate exemplary dedication to their profession and make significant contributions to the field of education. Melissa Frost exemplifies these qualities through her unwavering
Combine art and science in a sun print workshop at the Kellogg Bird Sanctuary
Augusta, Mich. — An upcoming workshop, hosted at the W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary, will blend art and science into a beautiful sun print piece. Callie Chappell, an artist, science communicator, scientist, and a 2023 artist-in-residence with the KBS Long-term Ecological Research program, will lead the workshop, set for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, July 29, at the Sanctuary. Participants will be encouraged to bring culturally or personally significant materials with them for use in the project. The workshop will begin with a short walk through the