Research at the Kellogg Biological Station (KBS) LTER site focuses on understanding the ecology of intensive field crop production and its environmental consequences. This topic cuts across biological disciplines ranging from agroecology to evolutionary biology, making our work both timely and important for stakeholders as diverse as farmers and K-12 students and teachers. Our research cannot be successful unless citizens understand its implications—the key to this is providing education and outreach that informs audiences about LTER research and recognizes the views and needs of the interested parties.

Our LTER program is part of Michigan State University’s Kellogg Biological Station, MSU’s largest off-campus educational facility with 13 faculty in year-round residence. KBS is also home to MSU Extension’s Southwest Regional Office and Land and Water Unit. As such, we have opportunities to reach audiences via formal (for credit), informal (structured, but not for credit), and non-formal (walk-through, demonstrations) education and outreach. KBS has a rich history in formal education (see http://www.kbs.msu.edu/). Here we focus on current efforts to grow the informal and non-formal LTER education and outreach programs, focusing on two of the key constituent groups identified by the LTER Decadal Plan, K-12 teachers and administrators and active citizens. Two examples of our current efforts include new programs to engage active citizens—particularly farmers and other land owners—and a decade long, well-established partnership with area K-12 districts. As we develop these programs more fully we hope to stimulate discussion and cross-site collaboration with other LTER sites on issues such as:

• Who are your target audiences? How did you identify them?
• If sites have similar audiences (e.g., teachers or land-owners) how can we collaborate?
• What are your goals for education and outreach for these groups?
• How have you effectively engaged these audiences?
• What is important for citizens to understand about the ecology of your LTER site?
• How do you measure effectiveness and impact in non-credit settings?