Every three years, hundreds of ecologists gather to shape the future of long-term research. Here's what happens when they meet.
In the world of ecological research, where studies often span decades rather than years, collaboration is not just beneficial—it's essential. Since 1985, the LTER All Scientists' Meeting (ASM) has served as the heartbeat of this specialized research community, connecting, inspiring, and strengthening a network of scientists dedicated to understanding long-term ecological patterns and processes 4 .
Unlike typical scientific conferences focused primarily on presenting finished research, the ASM functions as a living laboratory for scientific collaboration, where researchers from 28 diverse sites—from urban landscapes to remote polar regions—come together to plan new projects, form lasting partnerships, and tackle complex environmental challenges that no single site could address alone 4 8 .
Connecting scientists across 28 diverse research sites
Fostering partnerships for complex environmental challenges
Supporting research that spans decades rather than years
The first LTER All Scientists Meeting was held at the Cedar Creek LTER site in 1985 as a team-building effort to encourage integration among the then-existing LTER sites 4 . This established a triennial rhythm that has continued for decades, with subsequent meetings often held in inspiring natural settings like Asilomar Conference Grounds in California and Estes Park, Colorado 4 5 .
The 2022 meeting theme, "Generations," perfectly captured the essence of these gatherings—pointing both to the dedication of researchers who commit entire careers to ecosystem science and to the technological, cultural, and perspective changes that emerge over the long timescales that define LTER research 5 .
Cedar Creek LTER - First ASM, focused on team-building among initial LTER sites 4
Asilomar, California - Featured participant interviews capturing reflections on ASM experiences
Asilomar, California - "Generations" theme; hybrid format with virtual components 5
Various locations - Site-specific meetings continue (e.g., Florida Coastal Everglades) 7
Planning a successful ASM involves coordinating multiple components, each designed to foster different types of scientific exchange:
These are groups of 2-3 workshops offered over the meeting's three days, scheduled to avoid internal conflicts. Proposers carefully design sessions to build on outcomes from prior workshops in the series. For the 2022 ASM, approved tracks included topics ranging from "Characterizing long-term pulse dynamics among ecosystems" to "Justice and Co-production of Knowledge" 1 .
These sessions offer individual researchers and students opportunities to receive thoughtful feedback on their research in a more relaxed environment. To enhance meaningful interactions, sites are typically limited to a maximum number of in-person presentations, with additional posters accepted for online-only presentation 1 .
From organizing jam sessions and trivia contests to self-organized excursions taking advantage of the meeting location, these informal gatherings are considered essential for building the personal connections that lead to professional collaborations 1 .
Digital tools like the Sched app help participants build personal agendas, connect with other attendees, and facilitate follow-up collaboration after the meeting concludes 5 .
The 2022 ASM, held after COVID-related delays, demonstrated the adaptive nature of these gatherings. The meeting featured both in-person and virtual components, with the in-person portion spanning September 19-23 at the Asilomar Conference Grounds in Pacific Grove, California 5 .
The schedule balanced different forms of scientific exchange:
| Component | Function | Example from 2022 ASM |
|---|---|---|
| Workshop Tracks | Build momentum around complex topics through sequential, connected sessions | "Advancing synthesis science through harmonized data products" track 1 |
| Poster Sessions | Facilitate individual feedback and connection around specific research projects | In-person posters limited to 4 per site to enhance interaction quality 1 |
| Technology Platforms | Enable scheduling, connection, and follow-up collaboration | Sched app for building personal agendas and connecting participants 5 |
| Social Events | Build personal relationships that enable professional collaboration | Wednesday evening "smorgasbord" of participant-organized events 1 |
| Field Opportunities | Provide shared experiences and context for research discussions | Self-organized excursions to Monterey Bay Aquarium, hiking, and wildlife viewing 1 |
While the network-wide ASM occurs every three years, individual LTER sites also hold their own All Scientists' Meetings. The 2024 KBS LTER meeting provides a powerful example of how these gatherings generate meaningful scientific and community outcomes.
The KBS LTER designed their September 2024 meeting around the theme "Building meaningful relationships between LTERs and Native Nations" 8 . The organizers took several deliberate steps to ensure productive dialogue and learning:
The meeting featured a panel of educators and Native American tribal partners from three different LTERs who shared their journeys of collaboration 8 .
Participants discussed specific initiatives rather than staying at theoretical levels, sharing tangible partnership models and outcomes 8 .
Following the panel discussion, participants took a walk together at the Kellogg Bird Sanctuary, providing informal opportunities to process and discuss what they had learned 8 .
| LTER Site | Partnership Initiative | Key Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Konza Prairie | Including Kaw language in educational programs | Supporting language revitalization while enhancing field trip experiences 8 |
| Harvard Forest | Summer research mentoring for Native youth | Creating career pathways and blending traditional knowledge with scientific research 8 |
| Cedar Creek | Bilingual plant signage (English/Ojibwe) | Supporting language acquisition and recognizing Indigenous plant knowledge 8 |
"Spending time in person with collaborators that sustain, nurture and challenge my learning is such a gift."
The KBS meeting demonstrated that effective partnership requires acknowledging difficult histories, including "land acquisition, language revitalization, recognition and healing of generational trauma due to land theft, displacement and attempts at cultural erasion of Native peoples through education" 8 .
The true value of LTER All Scientists' Meetings reveals itself in the days, months, and years following the events themselves. The products of these gatherings extend far beyond the formal proceedings:
The collaborative workshops and working sessions regularly generate:
Perhaps the most enduring products are the human connections:
The meetings serve as incubators for new approaches to education and outreach:
The LTER All Scientists' Meeting represents a unique model of scientific collaboration—one that prioritizes long-term relationships alongside long-term data. As one participant from the 2024 KBS meeting noted, the value lies in finding "community and common ground in sharing our work with each other" 8 .
In an era of increasingly virtual communication and specialized research, these gatherings provide crucial opportunities for scientists to step back from their individual projects and envision larger patterns and possibilities. They represent a dedicated space where the next generation of ecological research takes shape—where a conversation over coffee can lead to a decade-long collaboration, and where shared challenges find collective solutions.
As the LTER network continues to evolve, facing new environmental challenges and incorporating new technologies and perspectives, the All Scientists' Meeting will undoubtedly adapt as well. But its core mission will remain: connecting, inspiring, and strengthening the community of researchers dedicated to understanding our changing planet—for the long haul 4 5 .