From 14-18 July, 2014, thirty-seven representatives of the Nutrient Network from 5 continents gathered to discuss the latest analyses and future developments of the network.

NutNet logo proposals:

• We viewed and reviewed proposals for a NutNet logo from UMn Institute on the Environment designer Anna Engelhoff. 

Data reminders:

• Please quantify woody stem invasion if present at your NutNet site
• If possible when sampling, please record the precise latitude & longitude of your plots at the center post (on coordinate pair per plot). This will help facilitate remote sensing and other distance-based analyses.

Add-on projects:

• Plant microbial communities [Borer/Seabloom]: requests for collection of local plant material, as well as potential out-plant seeds, will be distributed before 2015 sampling.
• N mineralization, deposition, and decomposition [Risch/Schuetz/Eisenhauer/Ebeling/Harpole]: a "package" is being developed to deploy at sites beginning with 2015 sampling, to quantify N-cycling and soil fauna.
• Herbivore damage survey [Blumenthal]: pilot testing of protocol happening at subset of sites in 2014, proposed broader sampling effort in 2015.
• Interested in proposing an add-on? 

Other Highlights included:

• watching the World Cup final with attendees from Argentina & Germany.
• making progress on at least 22 (!) different manuscript ideas and analyses.
• debating which climate variables to use, and how to acquire them.
• discussing Bayesian analysis for hierarchical data like that of NutNet.
• helping the Argentines feel better by letting them win the pick-up soccer game at Cedar Creek.