Science Summer Deep Dive

This summer we hosted our third year of Science Deep Dive, an amazing partnership with researchers at the University of Minnesota and part of the Minneapolis-St. Paul Metropolitan Area Long Term Ecological Research Program (MSP LTER). Science Deep Dive is a special program for interns who want to explore and apply scientific research to the work they do at Urban Roots. 

This summer, our Science Deep Dive interns:

• Established a research plot at the Rivoli Bluff Farm and Restoration Site to compare the effectiveness of cardboard vs. plastic vs. biochar plaster in suppressing weeds and their impact on soil health
• Examined the molds and bacteria (many of them beneficial) growing on the fruits in our orchard
• Created a soil seed bank analysis to see what plant seed shave accumulated in the soil across the Rivoli site
• Toured research labs at the University of Minnesota campus and explored the Bell Museum’s insect collection
• Dyed fabric with marigolds and use potatoes to make block prints
• Learned about the importance of urban tree canopy and identified trees on Payne Ave in a session led by Crew Lead Bennett, who is also a Forestry student at the University of Minnesota