Have you ever stopped to think about salt? Like, really think about it? Sure, it makes french fries delicious, but did you know it’s also sneaking into our freshwater lakes and rivers, changing ecosystems in ways that are kind of a big deal?

That’s why MSP_LTER (Minneapolis-St. Paul Long-Term Ecological Research Program) is hosting the Ramble on Salt—a casual, nerdy, hands-on gathering where scientists, artists, and local community members come together to talk about how salt is affecting urban watersheds in the Twin Cities.

At this event, you’ll have the opportunity to:

• Create letterpress postcards inspired by environmental themes
• Engage with interactive maps that highlight salt’s impact on local waterways
• Speak with freshwater ecologists, watershed managers, and salt practitioners

Whether you’re a scientist, artist, policymaker, or simply curious about the health of our urban waters, we welcome you to join the conversation. Together, we can explore ways to balance winter safety with sustainable water management.