Smart Urban Nature laboratory congratulates its employees, foreign colleagues and the entire scientific and expert community with the coming New Year. 2020 has become a serious challenge for everyone without exception – the pandemic, the global lockdown, the cessation of flights between countries, and much more have hit not only the economy and many other areas, but also limited the capabilities of the scientific world. The usual format of conferences, seminars, field research was forced to change and go online. Nevertheless, we managed to adapt to the needs of the time and maintain the quality level of work, the atmosphere of cooperation and ambitious plans.
In 2020, SUN Lab expanded its activities and achieved high results. Laboratory experts have organized and participated in dozens of domestic and international symposia, seminars, conferences and round tables. Our scientists have become speakers at EGU General Assembly, Urban Soils Symposium, 1st International IALE-Russia online conference “Landscape Science and Landscape Ecology: Considering Responses to Global Challenges”, NAUKA0+ Science Festival and many other events. In addition, the laboratory’s experts did not forget about educational activities and conducted fascinating public online lectures on the topic of climate, soil and green spaces.
Probably one of the most outstanding achievements for us this year was a number of large projects, including the project on green monitoring of Moscow trees in cooperation with the Department of Nature Management and Environmental Protection of the city of Moscow; “Heat in Russia – 2020”, the first Russian system for predicting heat risks for urban residents; a project for creation of national green standards for tourism infrastructure. Also, our experts actively cooperate with the Landscape Engineering Guild – one of the joint works was a project in assessment of ecosystem services for one of Moscow’s residential complexes.
In addition, the laboratory continues to expand the locations for the Tree Talkers network, and at the moment the network has more than 200 sensors throughout the city. Also, despite the pandemic, we managed to hold the traditional annual 3MUGIS summer school and the Smart and Sustainable Cities conference, turning both events into an online meeting format. Once again, we managed to bring together students, young scientists and credible experts from all over the world and provide a platform for the exchange of knowledge and experience, as well as the creation of effective collaborations.
One way or another, despite all the difficulties and challenges that 2020 presented us, we are very proud of our work and the achievements that we have obtained through joint efforts and the ability to adapt to current circumstances.
Next year we would like to wish ourselves and our colleagues and friends fruitful and ambitious projects, high standards in work and a lot of energy and ideas.
Happy New Year!