Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies

Black carbon — the soot from tailpipes, smokestacks, and wildfires — causes serious health problems and exacerbates climate change. Trees can play an important role in removing black carbon from the air, according to research by Cary’s Kathleen Weathers and University of Utah's Alexandra Ponette-González. Their long-term collaboration has helped reveal how much black carbon trees capture on their leaves, which trees remove the most, and where it ends up. Next up, they’re taking their research to a new level, looking at how wildfire smoke moves across vast areas. As Weathers puts it: “What goes up, must come down — but where?” https://lnkd.in/e8AEhgiz

The Ostfeld lab is hiring! They just received an NSF RAPID grant to examine the effects of spongy moth defoliation on ticks. Massive defoliation (esp. on oaks) has changed the look of the forest and the additional light and dryness may be impacting ticks. Two project assistants will be hired within the next three weeks to look at tick survival in soil core enclosures. The job runs from August 5-November 15 in Millbrook, NY. Please share this opportunity widely and encourage applicants to submit an application ASAP. Photo credit: M. Fargione #ecology #jobopportunity https://lnkd.in/eCrnPJR6

While confirming doubts about Western forests’ ability to help curb climate change, a new study - led by Cary's Jazlynn Hall - also offers pathways forward. The team used advanced modeling to map threats to forest carbon over a broad geographic area at high resolution. Insights can inform forest resilience and climate solution projects at local and regional levels. #climatechange #forests #carbon #fire #drought #westernusa To learn more visit: https://lnkd.in/eP2dBSFQ

2024 Summer Institutes for #Educators Join Cary for a week of hands-on learning, build skills to create engaging NYSSLS-aligned learning experiences, and earn 35 hours of professional development credits. Reimagining the Water Cycle without Reinventing the Wheel Open to 3rd-12th grade science educators Aug 5 – 9, 9am-3:30pm Ecosystem Literacy Initiative: Inquiry in the Woods K-12 teachers, informal educators, + teacher educators are all welcome. Aug 12 - 16th, 9am - 3:30pm For more information and to register: https://lnkd.in/efuT68nS

There's more to the increased range of ticks and tick-borne diseases than climate change. Cary's Richard Ostfeld observes that humans are driving the spread of ticks in other ways. “One of the main factors contributing to the expansion of the ticks is habitat fragmentation, destruction, and suburbanization, which removes some of the natural biodiversity that we have in animal communities.” (Fewer predators = more mice, who are more likely to infect ticks with pathogens that make us sick.) https://lnkd.in/eNwEhHgz

Cary's Dave Strayer on lost Helicostoa snails found again, and the power of combining low-tech approaches (like natural history) with cutting-edge tech (like DNA analyses). Also why we need to preserve river rapids and a great Arthur C. Clarke quote. Read more: The Lost Snail of the Yangtze…Found! https://lnkd.in/gEcYmugP #Helicostoa #Freshwater #Biodiversity #Dams #NaturalHistory #Ecology

Wildfire resilience initiative launches with $3.7 million in seed funding from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. Based at Cary Institute, the collaborative brings together scientists and stewards to co-create solutions to the fire crisis. “Dr. Hansen is leading a brilliant and interdisciplinary team. Their Collaboration will deepen our understanding and help inform and test management decisions that reduce community and ecosystem vulnerability to severe wildfire, and increase our ability to coexist with beneficial fire in the century to come.” - Genny Biggs, program director for the Moore Foundation’s Wildfire Resilience Initiative. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/e2W-QkUZ

No field trips required to see raccoons in the recreational fields and giant fungi on the front lawn! These are just a few of the discoveries made by middle school students in last fall’s Webutuck Quest Schoolyard Program. Led by Cary Institute educators Ashley Alred and Rebecca Van Tassell, the program brings schoolyard ecology lessons to fourth through seventh graders in the Webutuck Central School District. The hands-on lessons bring students outdoors and teach them about the incredible biodiversity that thrives just outside their school. 🚨 #Teachers #Educators - great news! Funding is available to expand the program to other #Hudsonvalley school districts! #STEMEducation #stemeducationforkids Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eujNkqAB

Congratulations to Cary's Alan Berkowitz, recipient of @ESA_org’s 2024 Distinguished Service Citation! The award recognizes Alan’s work fostering diversity and innovation in ecology education. Among his accomplishments: co-founding the Presidential Award-winning SEEDS Program, which promotes recruitment of under-represented populations in ecology; developing the Four-Dimensional Ecology Education (4DEE) Framework, a cornerstone for ecology education nationwide; and leading an initiative to integrate Earth and environmental science into all Baltimore City’s high schools. https://lnkd.in/eirXD5nQ

On Wednesday, June 5 at 7pm ET, join Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies for a special virtual lecture on snakes, featuring John Vanek , a zoologist at the New York Natural Heritage Program. This event is offered in partnership with the Catskill Science Collaborative. In this primer, Vanek will provide a brief 101 on snakes, including species you are likely to encounter in the Catskills and greater Hudson Valley (with distribution maps), and why snakes are important to ecosystems. Attendees will learn how to report snake sightings and ways they can participate in community science efforts to monitor snake populations. Vanek will also spotlight rattlesnakes and copperheads, and provide tips on how to hike safely in areas where these venomous snakes are present. Registration is required. Registrants are encouraged to ask questions at registration so they can be worked into the presentation. https://lnkd.in/ecEPxyk9