Connecting Alaska: Nature and Environment

Alaska Authors Caroline Van Hemert and Lisa Maloney come together to discuss writing about wild relationships in Alaska. Caroline Van Hemert is a wildlife biologist and author of The Sun Is A Compass, A 4,000-Mile Journey into The Alaskan Wilds. She received her PhD in the Dept. of Biology and Wildlife at UAF with a research focus on avian health and disease. Lisa Maloney has lived in Alaska for 30 years. A full-time travel and outdoors writer, she's the author of three guidebooks, including the award-winning "Moon Alaska," and "Day Hiking Southcentral Alaska," which features 100 hikes with detailed route descriptions and color photos. Lisa also served as senior editor at Alaska magazine, and has freelanced as an outdoors columnist for the Anchorage Press and Anchorage Daily News.

Dahr Jamail discusses and reads passages from his book The End of Ice: Bearing Witness and Finding Meaning in the Path of Climate Disruption. After nearly a decade overseas as a war reporter, acclaimed journalist Dahr Jamail returned to America to renew his passion for mountaineering only to find the slopes, he had once climbed, have been irrevocably changed by climate disruption. In his new book The End of Ice, we follow Dahr Jamail as he embarks on a journey to the geographical front lines of this crisis—from Saint Paul, Alaska to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef—to discover the consequences to nature and to humans of the loss of ice. Like no other book, The End of Ice offers a firsthand chronicle of the catastrophic reality of our climate situation and the incalculable necessity of relishing this vulnerable, fragile planet while we still can. Dahr Jamail is a Truthout staff reporter for and a TomDispatch regular. He is a recipient of numerous honors, including the Martha Gellhorn Award for Journalism and the Izzy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Independent Media. His previous books include The Will to Resist, and Beyond the Green Zone: Dispatches From an Unembedded Journalist in Occupied Iraq.

In the new guidebook Day Hiking Southcentral Alaska, Lisa Maloney explores the most rewarding trails in and around the Mat-Su Valley, Chugach State Park, Skilak and Kenai Lakes, Whittier, Seward, Homer, and more. 100 hikes are featured with detailed route descriptions and color photos to help people get out and enjoy Southcentral. In addition, Lisa Maloney shares the oops, ouches, "brrrr"s and thrills of hiking with lessons she has learned over the years. Lisa Maloney has lived in Alaska for more than 25 years. A former outdoors columnist for The Anchorage Press, she served as senior editor at Alaska magazine and authored the award winning travel guidebook Moon Alaska.

Dr. Donna Hauser, Dr. Timothy Jones, and Dr. Darren Pilcher explain their findings concerning the ramifications of an Ice-Free Alaska. Donna Hauser, International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks, presents "Responses, Risks, and Resilience of Alaska's Arctic Marine Mammals in a Changing Climate". (2:25-24:00) Timothy Jones, Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team, University of Washington, examines “Seabird Mortality Deaths in the Bering Sea”. Darren Pilcher, JISAO/NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory “Modeling Ocean Acidification in the Bering Sea” Donna DW Hauser, International Arctic Research Center, UAF, is a marine ecologist engaged in research to understand the role of marine mammals and other species in changing Arctic and temperate oceans. Her current research includes examining the vulnerability of Arctic marine mammals to vessel traffic in the increasingly ice-free Arctic sea routes.She received her Ph. D , M.S. and B.S. in Aquatic & Fisheries Sciences from University of Washington. Timothy Jones, School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences; College of the Environment, University of Washington, is a post-doctoral fellow at the Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team at the University of Washington. He researches marine heat waves, which can cause extreme, ecosystem-wide harm to wildlife. The most well-known marine heat wave, “the blob,” caused an unprecedented auklet die-off just south of the refuge from 2014-2015. (25:00-44:21) Darren Pilcher, Joint Institute for the Study of the Atmosphere and Ocean, University of Washington and NOAA, uses computational models to understand the physical and biogeochemical mechanisms of aquatic carbon cycling. His projects include simulating the impact of glacial runoff on ocean carbon uptake in the Gulf of Alaska and using downscaled Earth System Model output to produce regional-scale projections of ocean acidification in the Bering Sea. He received his Ph.D., in Atmospheric and Oceanic Science from University of Wisconsin-Madison, and B.S. in Chemistry, Beloit College. (1:04-1:47). Q & A and discussion (1:04-1:46)

Mikko Sumulong is co-author of the book, Nature Art Workshop discusses how to use Alaska wildflowers in arts and crafts. Mikko Sumulong, born and educated in Anchorage, is a crafter, writer, weaver, and typeface designer, her work has been featured on Craftgawker and Cut Out & Keep. Also, Mikko Sumulong’s handwritten fonts have appeared on book covers, billboards, and movie trailers. Check out her amazing website Mix Fonts, Handwritten Fonts at http://www.mixfonts.com. She currently teaches private pressed flower art workshops and retreats in the Philippines.

Wildflower enthusiasts in Alaska rely on Verna E. Pratt’s field guides to Alaskan wildflowers and berries to help them identify the array of flora from mountaintops to the coast. In 1999, when Ginger Hudson purchased her first Field Guide to Alaskan Wildflowers, she had no idea she was destined meet the iconic author, Verna E. Pratt–twelve years later. Today, Ginger Hudson is the newsletter editor for the Master Gardeners in Anchorage and Secretary of the Native Plant Society. She is enrolled in the UAA MFA Creative Writing and Literary Arts Program to complete her publication, The Life and Legacy of Verna Pratt, Alaska’s Wildflower Wizard.

Author and artist Mary Ida Henrikson presents The Mystery of the Fire Trees in Southeast Alaska, with Dr. Steven Langdon and Lael Morgan. (The presentation that accompanies the audio podcast is also posted in iTunes.) Mary Ida Henrikson, born and raised in Ketchikan Alaska, was surprised to learn she had an ancient cedar on her property that appeared to have been altered for fire storage. Soon she discovered dozens of other centuries-old trees with deeply burned interiors. What did this mean? After much research, investigation, and speculation, Mary Ida Henrickson wrote The Mystery of the Fire Trees, An Artists Quest for an Ancient Truth, recently published by Epicenter Press. According to Dr. Rosita Worl, Tlingit Shangukeidi’ Clan and House Lowered from the Sun, “Although a number of people have been aware of the ancient trees that the Tlingit used as a source to start fires, the extent of the fire trees throughout the region and other possible uses have not been previously recorded.” Joining Mary Ida Henrikson is renowned anthropologist Dr. Steve Langdon and journalist, publisher and author Lael Morgan.

This is the the presentation for the event, Author and artist Mary Ida Henrikson presents The Mystery of the Fire Trees in Southeast Alaska, with Dr. Steven Langdon and Lael Morgan. (Note, the audio podcast is also posted in iTunes.) Mary Ida Henrikson, born and raised in Ketchikan Alaska, was surprised to learn she had an ancient cedar on her property that appeared to have been altered for fire storage. Soon she discovered dozens of other centuries-old trees with deeply burned interiors. What did this mean? After much research, investigation, and speculation, Mary Ida Henrickson wrote The Mystery of the Fire Trees, An Artists Quest for an Ancient Truth, recently published by Epicenter Press. According to Dr. Rosita Worl, Tlingit Shangukeidi’ Clan and House Lowered from the Sun, “Although a number of people have been aware of the ancient trees that the Tlingit used as a source to start fires, the extent of the fire trees throughout the region and other possible uses have not been previously recorded.” Joining Mary Ida Henrikson is renowned anthropologist Dr. Steve Langdon and journalist, publisher and author Lael Morgan.

Jesika Reimer presents Bats in the Attic: Studying Little Brown Bat Colonies Throughout Interior Alaska. ((Note: the presentation that accompanies the audio podcast is also posted in iTunes.)Jesika Reimer is a Zoologist at the Alaska Center for Conservation Science at UAA and has been studying bats in the north for last eight years. She is currently involved in bat research throughout interior Alaska and has been studying a network of little brown myotis maternity colonies in the Copper River basin and along the Tanana River, to assess seasonal activity, roost preferences, and how nocturnal bats survive in the land of the midnight sun. Jesika Reimer earned a B.Sc. in Ecology and a M.Sc. in Ecology and Evolution from the University of Calgary. Everyone is encouraged to come and learn about Alaska bats.

This is Jesika Reimer's presentation for Bats in the Attic: Studying Little Brown Bat Colonies Throughout Interior Alaska. (Note: the audio podcast is also posted in iTnes.) Jesika Reimer is a Zoologist at the Alaska Center for Conservation Science at UAA and has been studying bats in the north for last eight years. She is currently involved in bat research throughout interior Alaska and has been studying a network of little brown myotis maternity colonies in the Copper River basin and along the Tanana River, to assess seasonal activity, roost preferences, and how nocturnal bats survive in the land of the midnight sun. (Note: the presentation that accompanies the podcast is alos posted in iTunes.) Jesika Reimer earned a B.Sc. in Ecology and a M.Sc. in Ecology and Evolution from the University of Calgary. Everyone is encouraged to come and learn about Alaska bats.

Throughout her former job as the director of the Center for Alaska Coastal Studies, Marilyn Sigman, saw how climate change was affecting the state. However, instead of researching how climate change might develop in the future, she decided to look to the past, specifically at how Kachemak Bay’s climate has changed over time and how people have adapted. In her newly released book Entangled, published by University of Alaska Press, Marilyn Sigman contemplates the patterns of people staying and leaving, nesting her own journey to Kachemak Bay within diasporas of her Jewish ancestors and of ancient peoples from Asia to the southern coast of Alaska. Along the way, Entangled weaves in scientific facts about the region as well as stories told by Alaska’s indigenous peoples. And explored is the ecology of desire.

What is Environmental Economics and why does it matter in Alaska? This presentation will get you thinking like an Environmental Economist. Topics introduced include environmental externalities, Total Economic Value (TEV) of natural resources and ecosystems, and understanding the interactions between our economic system and environment. This presentation will get you thinking like an Environmental Economist. Camilla Kennedy currently teaches Environmental Economics and Policy at UAA and works at the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation on regulatory policy analysis and also conducts research on environmental policies. She received her BA in Economics from UAF and her Masters in Environmental Economics and Climate Change from the London School of Economics

Jonathan White discusses his book, Tides: The Science and Spirit of the Ocean. After nearly losing his 65’ wooden schooner in a large Alaskan tide, writer, sailor, and surfer Jonathan White vowed to understand the tide. He knew the moon had something to do with it, but what exactly? He read a book, then two. Ten years later, he had read three hundred books and criss-crossed the seven seas to see the largest, fastest, scariest, and most amazing tides in the world. With photographs, stories, and short readings, Jonathan takes his audiences on an enthralling journey into the surprising and poetic workings of the tide. Jonathan White is an accomplished writer, conservationist, sailor, and educator. His first book, Talking on the Water: Conversations about Nature and Creativity, features interviews with Gretel Ehrlich, David Brower, Ursula K. Le Guin, Gary Snyder, Peter Matthiessen, and others. His writing has appeared in the Christian Science Monitor, The Sun, Sierra, the Whole Earth Review, and Fine Homebuilding. Jonathan White holds an MFA in creative nonfiction, and lives with his wife and son on a small island in Washington State.

David Scheel presents Giant Alaska Octopuses. David Scheel is a Professor of Marine Biology at Alaska Pacific University in Anchorage. He has studied octopuses for over twenty years in Alaska and around the world to understand octopus behavior and ecology. At of the event, he highlights the exciting discovery of a new species of large octopus living in our local waters, and the story of his research in Tatitlek, Chenega Bay, and Port Graham Villages with the help of Alaska Native traditional ecological knowledge.

Dr. Jennifer Schmidt is the lead Alaska researcher for an international Arctic projects called CONNECT and TUNDRA. Her project examine interactions among socio-economic conditions, governance, and connectivity and their influence land use and harvest by communities in the Arctic. She works at the Institute for Social and Economic Research (ISER) at UAA. Note: the audio podcast for her presentation is also posted in the iTunes collection.

Dr. Frank Witmer discusses his research analyzing causes of violence in Sub-Saharan Africa and Dr. Jennifer Schmidt discusses climate adaptation in the Arctic and TUNDRA Dr. Frank Witmer is a computational geographer who conducts research studying violent conflict and human-environment interactions using spatial statistical methods, remote sensing data, and simulation. He teaches in the Department of Computer Science & Engineering, UAA. One of his recent projects studies climate variability and violent conflict in Sub-Saharan Africa, both historically and for future scenarios. The second guest speaker (starting at 41:29) is Dr. Jennifer Schmidt who works at the UAA Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER). She is the lead Alaska researcher for an international Arctic projects called CONNECT and TUNDRA. Note: both presentations examine interactions among socio-economic conditions, governance, and connectivity and their influence land use and harvest by communities in the Arctic and both are also posted in the iTunes podcast collection. --

Dr. Frank Witmer presents his research analyzing causes of violence in Sub-Saharan Africa. Note: the audio podcast for his presentation is also posted in the iTunes collection. Dr. Frank Witmer is a computational geographer who conducts research studying violent conflict and human-environment interactions using spatial statistical methods, remote sensing data, and simulation. He teaches in the Department of Computer Science & Engineering, UAA. One of his recent projects studies climate variability and violent conflict in Sub-Saharan Africa, both historically and for future scenarios.

Susanna Pearlstein (Director), Bob Van Veldhuizen (Agronomist), Derylee Hecimovich (4-H) , Melissa Clampitt (Program Assistant), and Stephen Brown (horticulturist) discuss their work at the UAF Matanuska Experiment Farm & Extension Center. Open to the public, the Experimental Farm and Extension Center offers workshops, information and advice on a variety of topics. It provides research in sustainable agriculture, land reclamation and other environmental issues like renewable energy and environmental remediation. The Experiment Farm is located about 36 miles north of Anchorage. It includes 260 acres of cultivated land and 800 acres of forest land for research or demonstration purposes. The farm is also home to the Mat-Su/Copper River Extension.

Changes in environmental conditions have accelerated coastal and riverine erosion, melting permafrost, black carbon deposition, and ocean acidification, changes in subsistence patterns, food insecurity, and severe winter storms in the Northwest Arctic Borough. At this event, Dr. Steve Konkel discusses progress and challenges in environmental stewardship and sustainable development through various Arctic governing bodies. Dr. Steve Konkel holds a bachelor’s degree in Architectural Engineering/Univ. Colorado, a master’s degree in City Planning/Harvard, and a PhD in environmental policy development/MIT. He teaches Arctic Policy, Sustainability & Governance at UAA.

Sören Wuerth is a teacher, environmental activist, and writer living in Girdwood, Alaska. His presentation includes stories and photos from his visit to the Paris Climate Change Conference in December 2015. Jeremy Littell is a climatologist with USGS. His presentation begins at 1:09:11. In his talk, he discusses challenges facing Alaskans in understanding climate patterns and public policy. Note: the volume changes due to lack of microphone usage. At this event, what we can learn from global politics and coping with global climate changes is discussed.

This is Henry Huntington’s presentation for Addressing Local Needs amid Global Attention to the Changing Arctic, At the event, guest speakers share their views on emerging scientific, climate change, and indigenous issues in the Arctic . The relationship between local and global interests will highlighted. Topics include: Indigenous Science: Exchange for Local Observations and Knowledge of the Arctic (ELOKA), Food Security and Climate Ethics, Human Activities and Ecosystems in the Arctic: TUNDRA. Note: Event podcast is also posted in iTunes. See Addressing Local Needs amid Global Attention to the Changing Arctic—Henry Huntington (0:08-41:06)

Guest speakers share their views on emerging scientific, climate change, and indigenous issues in the Arctic . The relationship between local and global interests will highlighted. Topics include: Indigenous Science: Exchange for Local Observations and Knowledge of the Arctic (ELOKA), Food Security and Climate Ethics, Human Activities and Ecosystems in the Arctic: TUNDRA. Speakers include Jennifer Schmidt(ISER)whose research focuses on circumpolar tundra ecosystems (2:48-29:29), Henry Huntington a founder of Exchange for Local Observations and Knowledge of the Arctic, ELOKA(30:08-41:06,,and Prof. Raymond Anthony (UAA Philosophy Dept.) whose research focuses on ethics and food security issues (42.29-1:09). Discussion follows the presentations. Note: Accompanying event presentations from Jennifer Schmidt and Henry Huntington are also posted in iTunes.

This is Jennifer Schmidt's presentation for Addressing Local Needs amid Global Attention to the Changing Arctic, At the event, guest speakers share their views on emerging scientific, climate change, and indigenous issues in the Arctic . The relationship between local and global interests will highlighted. Topics include: Indigenous Science: Exchange for Local Observations and Knowledge of the Arctic (ELOKA), Food Security and Climate Ethics, Human Activities and Ecosystems in the Arctic: TUNDRA. Note: Event podcast is also posted in iTunes. See Addressing Local Needs amid Global Attention to the Changing Arctic--Jennifer Schmidt(2:48-29:29).

This event focuses on the history of Denali National Park and Preserve, the conservation movement, and the wolves in Denali. Lynn Lovegreen reads and discusses Gold Nuggets, the final book in her young adult gold rush series, about the creation of Denali Park. (2:12-8:24) Mark Lovegreen, veteran tour driver in Denali National Park and Preserve, adds information on the natural history of the area. (8:24-22:55) And Nancy Bale, board member of the Denali Citizens Council, provides perspective on the environmental movement of Denali Park. (22:55-34:30). Discussion (34:43-1:16:46) Lynn Lovegreen's Gold Rush series includes: Worth Her Weight in Gold (Juneau 1886); Fools Gold (Skagway, 1898); Quicksilver to Gold (Nome, 1900); Golden Days (Fairbanks, 1906); Gold Nuggets (Denali & Kantishna, 1916). Lynn Lovegreen was raised and lives in Anchorage, Alaska and has taught at the Anchorage School district.

Dr. Gunnar Knapp is Director of the UAA Institute of Social and Economic Research. A renowned fisheries economist, he has conducted a wide variety of research on the Alaska economy and Alaska resources and is well known for his expertise on world salmon markets among both academic and industry groups. The title of his talk is is The Best Possible solutions Will Still Be Flawed: Challenges of Fisheries Management. (The audio pod cast is also posted on iTunes)

At this event, two experts in different fields of study come together to discuss fisheries management and science. Professor Doug Butterworth is from the Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics at the University of Cape Town, South Africa. He is known worldwide for his research on fisheries management and stock assessments. The title for his talk is What I Have Learned from 400+ International Scientific Fisheries Meetings. (The audio podcast also posted in iTunes)

At this event, two experts in different fields of study come together to discuss fisheries management and science. Professor Doug Butterworth is from the Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics at the University of Cape Town, South Africa. He is known worldwide for his research on fisheries management and stock assessments. The title for his talk is What I Have Learned from 400+ International Scientific Fisheries Meetings. (Doug Butterworth's audio podcast ends at 1:13:08. The presentation is also posted in iTunes) Dr. Gunnar Knapp is Director of the UAA Institute of Social and Economic Research. A renowned fisheries economist, he has conducted a wide variety of research on the Alaska economy and Alaska resources and is well known for his expertise on world salmon markets among both academic and industry groups, and challenges of fisheries management. The title of his talk is is The Best Possible solutions Will Still Be Flawed: Challenges of Fisheries Management. (Gunnar Knapp's audio podcast begins at 1:13:26. The presentation is also posted on iTunes.)

In The Last Road North, Alaskan photographer Ben Huff explores life along Dalton Highway where “the physical and psychological line between wilderness and oil” marks the Alaskan frontier. At this event, Ben shares his experience creating the book and his views about photography and wilderness. The Last Road North is Published Kehrer Verlag and includes an introduction by Barry Lopez and Karen Irvine (Museum of Contemporary Photography, Chicago). Ben Huff first followed the road north in 2007. He lived in Fairbanks, AK and currently lives in Juneau.

This is the presentation for Jon Allen's event about Climate modeling. Since the development of the first general circulation model and the advent of computing in the 1950's, climate modeling has evolved rapidly in complexity and accuracy, as well as breadth of application. Current models track the movement of fluids and energy transfer between the atmosphere, land and ocean to most commonly output either short-term weather forecasts or long-term climate change predictions. At this event, Jon Allen reviews the evolution of climate modeling; explores complex modeling concepts, such as positive feedback; and objectively looks at the current state of models and what they tell us. Jon S. Allen is a current engineering PhD student at UAA/UAF. He holds a M.S. Ocean Engineering from Texas A&M. (Note: The audio podast that accompanies the slideshow is also posted in iTunes.)

Since the development of the first general circulation model and the advent of computing in the 1950's, climate modeling has evolved rapidly in complexity and accuracy, as well as breadth of application. Current models track the movement of fluids and energy transfer between the atmosphere, land and ocean to most commonly output either short-term weather forecasts or long-term climate change predictions. At this event, Jon Allen reviews the evolution of climate modeling; explores complex modeling concepts, such as positive feedback; and objectively looks at the current state of models and what they tell us. Jon S. Allen is a current engineering PhD student at UAA/UAF. He holds a M.S. Ocean Engineering from Texas A&M. (Note: The presentation slides that accompany the audio podcast is also posted in iTunes.)

Questions about caring for trees in Southcentral Alaska are answered by horticulturist Gregg Terry. Learn about water needs, space demands, root systems, soil nutrients and pruning. Gregg Terry teaches for UAA Continuing Education and at UAA Chugiak-Eagle River Campus. His courses include: Landscape Design for the Homeowner, Greenhouse Design and Operation, Sustainable Gardening, Pruning for the Homeowner, Organic Gardening class.

What does research tell us about wind energy and what are the wind energy challenges facing Alaska and Alaska Native Villages are questions discussed at this event with Dr. Jifeng Peng. Dr.Jifeng Peng is an Assistant Professor Mechanical Engineering at UAA. He has a Ph.D. in Bioengineering, California Institute of Technology, a M.S. Mechanical Engineering, Stony Brook University, NY, and a B.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of Science & Technology of China, China.

Philippe Amstislavski shares his research about Northern Siberian nomadic reindeer herders and the advance of water on once firm land. Philippe Amstislavski is an Associate Professor of Public Health (Dept. of Health Sciences) at UAA. His research focus is on the interactions between natural and social systems, particularly between climate change and community adaptation and resilience in the Circumpolar North.

Philosopher and writer Kathleen Dean Moore, singer/song writer Libby Roderick, human rights attorney Robin Bronen, and journalist Yereth Rosen come together to discuss the challenges in writing about climate change and global responsibility. Libby Roderick, who brought the guest speakers together for this special event, leads the discussion with the panelists. Topics include scientific data and ethics, governments and displaced peoples, advocacy and coping with change. This event is sponsored with 49 Writers, UAA Office of Sustainability, UAA English Department.

Translators of "Steller's History of Kamchatka; Collected Information Concerning the History of Kamchatka, Its Peoples, Their Manners, Names, Lifestyles, and Various Customary Practices", Margritt Engel and Karen Willmore, are working together again on newly found diaries of naturalist and explorer Georg Wilhelm Steller. The challenges they face in translating 18th century German, handwriting writing analysis, matching geographic descriptions with nomenclature, and sourcing words from Grimm and other references are a few of the themes highlighted.. Margritt Engel translated, Journal of a Voyage with Bering, 1741-1742 George Wilhelm Steller; with O.W. Frost in 1988. She is Professor Emerita in the Department of Languages at UAA. Karen Willmore coauthored with O.W. Frost Description of Unpublished Steller Papers in Smithsonian Archives and the Library of Congress. She is a retired UAA faculty member in the Department of Languages.

Wildlife and Alaskans: Life amongst Complex Relations Author Bill Sherwonit, Audrey Taylor and Matthew Reimer discuss their relationship with wildlife. Audrey Taylor, UAA Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies, whose research involves shorebirds, wildlife conservation, climate change and using citizen scientists as observers for data. (Her presentation can be viewed while listening to the audio podcast of the event.) The aim of the event is to highlight the various ways that wildlife are central to each person's work and how that work -- for data, scientific observation and nature writing—changes their relationship to the wild.

Speakers discuss how wildlife are central to their work and how that work -- for data, scientific observation and nature writing—changes their relationship to the wild. • Bill Sherwonit, author of more than a dozen books "whose writings explore the complicated relationships we humans have with wildlife." His newest book is Animal Stories: Encounters with Alaska's Wildlife. • Audrey Taylor, UAA Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies, whose research involves shorebirds, wildlife conservation, climate change and using citizen scientists as observers for data. (starts at 25:18 minutes) • Matthew Reimer, UAA Assistant Professor in Economics, ISER, whose research involves environmental and natural resource economics, with focus on fisheries and fishing policies. (starts at 58:23 minutes) • Discussion (starts at 1:14:16 minutes)

Matt Reeves teaches in the Geological Sciences Department at UAA . This presentation coincides with the audio podcast of his talk at the event "New UAA Faculty discuss their exciting work in Hydrology, Resource Economics, and Climate Change" which begins 03:56-24:50 min with Q &A until 35:55 min. Matt Reeves received ah.D. in Hydrogeology from the University of Nevada, and worked as a Research Professor at Desert Research Institute.

Frank Witmer teaches in the Dept. of Computer Science and Engineering at UAA. His presentation "Modeling Human‐Environment Interactions" coincides with the audio podcast of his talk at the event "New UAA Faculty discuss their exciting work in Hydrology, Resource Economics, and Climate Change" which starts at 103.07-131:00 min. His presentation focuses on the effects of climate change on conflict in sub-Sahara Africa.

Alex James teaches at the College of Business and Public Policy, Department of Economics at UAA. This presentation coincides with the audio podcast of his talk at the event "New UAA Faculty discuss their exciting work in Hydrology, Resource Economics, and Climate Change" which begins at 36.44-101:47 minutes.

Matt Reeves (Geological Sciences) discusses his research including climate change impacts on water resources; Alex James (Economics) discusses a creative approach to environmental and resource economics, and Frank Witmer (Computer Science) discusses the effects of climate change on violent conflict in sub-Sahara Africa. Presentation timeline with Q & A: Matt Reeves, 24:50-35:55; Alex James, 36:44-101:47; Frank Witmer, 103:07-131:00.

Dr. Birgit Hagedorn is manager of the Applied Science and Engineering Technology Labs (ASET). Topics at this event include new research and technology, understanding climate data and an overview of their current projects. Glacier melting, iron and CO2 relations, and arctic haze are topics touched upon. (Note: The audio recording of the event with Peter Olsson and Birgit Hagedorn is also posted on iTunes.)

Dr. Peter Olsson is the Alaska State Climatologist with the Alaska State Climate Center (ASCC). Dr. Birgit Hagedorn is manager of the Applied Science and Engineering Technology Labs (ASET). Topics at this event include new research and technology, understanding climate data and an overview of their current projects. Peter Olsson also offers glimpses into his life and how he became a climatologist. And Birgit Hagedorn mentions research involving arctic haze and challenges researching elephant drinking water choices. Note: The question period begins at 1:09:44 and there are gaps in sound. Birgit Hagedorn's powerpoint presentation is also posted on iTunes.