building a living laboratory
The Forest Park Living Lab brings together St. Louis’s leading experts in ecology and conservation medicine to create a living ecological experiment inside one of America’s greatest urban ecosystems: Forest Park in St. Louis. Together with the greater St. Louis community, we study the health, movement, diversity, and interactions of a rich collection of species right here in the park, including owls, fish, turtles, and more.
Our goal is to turn the Jewel of St. Louis into a living laboratory that is accessible to all, and forever change the way we think about urban ecosystems.
Our work lies at the interface of three main themes in ecology:
Urban Ecology
In an increasingly urbanized world, understanding how cities and nature interact helps humans and wildlife.
Movement Ecology
Movement connects wildlife across habitats, cities, and countries, helping us identify critical places for conservation.
Wildlife health
Healthy wildlife populations protect humans and animals alike, ensuring a healthy future for all.
our species
We’re tracking biodiversity at a whole new scale
Claws, paws, and fins. Scales, feathers, and fur. By studying the diversity of animals in Forest Park, from herbivores to insectivores to top predators, we can understand how we share our park with a community of wildlife.
ABOUT FOREST PARK
A living ecosystem in the heart of St Louis.
Forest Park hosts 1,300 acres of beautiful forests, ecosystems, nature reserves, lakes and streams, as well as five of the region’s major cultural institutions. The park attracts over 13 million visitors each year, making it the sixth most visited urban park in the United States.
This project is in partnership with:
