Scientist works on equipment while on sea ice

New Polar Science Early Career Community Office launches at CU Boulder (CIRES)

April 13, 2022

The Polar Science Early Career Community Office, funded by the NSF and housed by CIRES and INSTAAR, will provide training opportunities, resources and funding to support and help build a community of polar early-career scientists in the United States.

Logo for the For Pete's Sake podcast

Permafrost peatlands and mental health with Dr. Merritt Turetsky (For Peat's Sake podcast)

March 18, 2022

Merritt Turetsky joins the For Peat's Sake podcast on Spotify to talk about permafrost peatlands. We talk about the unique qualities of permafrost peatlands and the sad reality that many of them are disappearing due to anthropogenic (aka human-caused) climate change. Merritt explains the state of the science and we also chat about mental health, the importance of self-care, and setting boundaries.

Burned neighborhood with Front Range behind

Participate in the Marshall Fire soils project (CU Boulder Today)

March 2, 2022

Researchers across campus are launching a project to assess whether the Marshall Fire resulted in the contamination of soils—an important question for residents looking to rebuild, as well as those in areas that may be affected by future fires. Eve-Lyn Hinckley is one of the co-principal investigators.

Taline Leon, undergraduate researcher, works with air samples in the INSTAAR Stable Isotope Lab. Photo by Sylvia Michel, 2022.

Two new tenure-track faculty positions are open now

Feb. 3, 2022

INSTAAR is seeking two new faculty colleagues at the Assistant Professor level: one in contemporary carbon cycles and one in aquatic ecology or aquatic biogeochemistry.

Skier on a half pipe

Q&A with an expert: Winter Olympics in a warming world (CU Boulder Today)

Feb. 1, 2022

When the 2022 Winter Olympics kick off in and around Beijing, China, this Friday it will mark the first time in the history of the Winter Games that outdoor events rely almost entirely on artificial snow. Noah Molotch speaks to the science of human-made snow, its use at the Olympics, and how climate change may impact the future of snow sports around the world and here in Colorado.

Seastedt (third from left) and Wildland Restoration Volunteers build erosion control structures to enhance sage grouse habitat and re-wet meadows in North Park area, CO.

Retired “free-range ecologist” helps students become green ambassadors (Colorado Arts & Sciences Magazine)

Jan. 27, 2022

Professor emeritus Tim Seastedt has studied prairie grasslands and alpine tundra for more than 40 years. Since retiring, Seastedt has devoted his time to hands-on Front Range ecological conservation and restoration efforts, in tandem with students and youth from underrepresented groups and volunteer organizations.

Closeup of a fire

Climate scientists grapple with wildfire disaster in their backyard (Axios)

Jan. 3, 2022

The wind-whipped firestorm that tore through parts of Boulder County, Colorado, on Thursday struck at the heart of one of America's top climate science and meteorology research hubs. Merritt Turetsky is among those interviewed.

Abstract painting by Diane Burko, called "Unprecedented", with cloud like shapes, firey red areas, and discs of many sizes

Visualizing climate change through abstract painting (Hyperallergic)

Nov. 16, 2021

The art of INSTAAR Affiliate Diane Burko includes images of melting glaciers and dying coral reefs that are not just pictorially impressive; they have strong emotional impact.

CU Boulder campus in fall colors with flatirons behind

New class of CU Distinguished Professors: Leaders in research, education, service (CU Connections)

Nov. 11, 2021

University’s highest faculty honor awarded to 11 professors for 2021, including INSTAARs Diane McKnight and Giff Miller.

Pika on lichen covered rocks

Pika enthusiasts unite under a common theme (LTER Network)

Oct. 30, 2021

Harnessing the power of community science partnered with LTER research to understand human climate effects on pika distributions.

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