Understanding Urban Ecosystems to Improve Human Well-Being

Tuesday, August 11, 2026
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Ecumen Pathstone Latitude & Landing, 115 Rogers St, Mankato, MN 56001

Today, more than 85% of Americans live in urban areas, yet scientists only began studying cities as ecosystems in a systematic way in the 1990s. Since then, research has revealed that cities are far more than collections of buildings and roads—they are living systems where human activities, natural processes, and environmental conditions interact in complex ways.

This presentation explores how insights from urban ecology are helping communities address some of their most pressing environmental challenges. Drawing on research conducted in cities across the United States, we will examine practical solutions to problems such as urban heat islands, phosphorus and salt pollution in stormwater, drinking water quality, and the ways household decisions contribute to environmental impacts. Along the way, we will see how scientific discoveries are shaping public policy and improving the health, sustainability, and livability of our cities.

Presenter:

Larry Baker is a Research Professor (now retired) with a hybrid educational background in ecology and environmental engineering. His research focus over the past 25 years has been human ecosystems - mostly cities and farms. Most of his research focuses on water and nutrient fluxes, often with a substantial human perspective. His work falls into "Pasteur's quadrant, blending theory and application, with many examples of research being translated into practice. He has published more than 100 papers and book chapters and edited two books, most recently The Water Environment of Cities (2009).

Sponsor: 

Steve Gilbert