Citizen Science
Research and activism that supports a healthy environment and biosphere.
Seasonal projects
Part of our practice is a commitment to seva, or selfless service, which we learn about seva through the teachings of such sages as Swami Vivekananda. Through our devotion to the Divine Mother, we are guided toward work that supports our local ecosystems. As we serve, we further our learning about these systems and the ways in which we exist as a part of them. We engage in projects according to the season, and always welcome new ideas! Here is a brief look at some of the projects we’re working on:
Spring vernal pool data collection: Recording the flora and fauna of vernal pools created by melting snow and spring rain, as well as the qualities of the pools themselves. These pools are important habitat for birthing amphibians and insects.
Bat data collection: Minnesota’s bat population is struggling against white nose fungus. We’ll be hanging bat boxes and using sonar technology to take daily recordings, gathering data on what types of bats live here and sharing that data with bat researchers in MN and beyond.
Phenology: Phenology is “the study of cyclic and seasonal natural phenomena, especially in relation to climate and plant and animal life.” In other words, it is watching how Nature (or the more-than-human world) moves through its cycles of life and death in a particular context. One can practice phenology anywhere, but we invite you to come here and walk our nature trails. Walking is a meditation, and our short trail moves through a variety of micro-ecosystems. By walking our trails and paying close attention to what you see, hear, and smell, you have both an opportunity to contribute data by noting the type and time of changes, trees that come down, animal trails and scat, and so on, as well as the healing experience of being in the woods.
Forest care: We live in the boreal forests, which have a mix of conifers and deciduous trees, the populations of which are shifting with climate and natural life cycles. We have 10 acres of forest to care for, and tasks include planting new trees (especially white and red pine), removing clusters of dead trees and scattering logs for habitat and decomposition, and maintaining a low-impact forest trail. Included in this is native plant restoration such as planting milkweed and other native wildflowers, creating native insect habitats, and collecting seeds in autumn for later planting.