Catalyzing Watershed Restoration on National Forest Lands
Alex will focus his summer on two projects with the National Forest Foundation (NFF). With half his time, Alex is conducting a stakeholder assessment and developing outreach materials to better understand and engage with landowners and water rights holders around restoring the natural processes of headwater streams in Colorado’s Roaring Fork Valley. While this summer’s focus is on several planned NFF projects, the materials being developed will be used to build understanding and support for process-based restoration in the Valley and beyond. Read more here.
Nuclear and Renewable Energy in Idaho and the American West
Aya is working on a two part project focusing on non-fossil fuel energy in the American West and its human and environmental impacts. She is studying communities and landscapes surrounding nuclear energy testing, research, and waste storage in the Snake River Plain of Idaho. Since 1949, southeastern Idaho has been the U.S.’ center of nuclear energy research, including the home of the first nuclear reactor that produced electricity, the first nuclear submarines, and much more. The area has also been the host of waste storage for much of the Cold War nuclear complex, which has resulted in some radioactive spills and releases. Read more here.
Supporting Climate Action in King County, WA
This summer, Ingrid is working with the Executive Climate Office of King County (Washington) on three projects related to addressing climate change at the county level: 1) contributing to an initial draft of the next 5-year Strategic Climate Action Plan for the county; 2) writing a user guide to accompany a new urban heat mapping tool to be used by local jurisdictions and community organizations to better prepare residents for intensifying summer heat, especially those residents most vulnerable to effects of extreme heat; and 3) researching options for a future “climate dashboard” to track and communicate progress and achievements and increase the office’s transparency and accountability. Read more here.
Capturing Outdoor Recreation and Ecological Patterns along a Multiple Use Mountain Stream
Outdoor recreation opportunities fuel important Intermountain West economies, satisfy cultural needs, and uphold nature connectedness. Similarly, mountain freshwater ecosystems promote the development and recruitment of flora and fauna. When considered together, recreation ecosystems comprise natural areas with varying levels of human and (non) human use. Some of the chief drivers shifting more visitors into stream-lined canyons include increasing temperatures, fewer urban green spaces, and less exposure to plants, wildlife, and other natural elements. Greater outdoor recreation use raises questions about recreationally driven ecological impacts. Read more here.