https://www.jennasampson.co/environment daily 0.75 2025-12-19 https://www.jennasampson.co/environment/2020/8/19/melting-away-in-a-hot-drought monthly 0.5 2021-05-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1597853048942-QTS4CF60T1CMC389UK29/image-asset.gif Environmental Stories - Melting away in a hot drought A comparison of images acquired by NASA’s Terra satellite shows how much less snowpack was left in the Colorado Rockies on June 8 of this year compared to the same date last year. It’s a comparison of extremes, with much higher than average snowpack in 2019 and significantly below average now. (Credit: Images via NASA Worldview; animation by Tom Yulsman) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1597853220885-OABERIQ5WAV21RIFOXBA/image-asset.png Environmental Stories - Melting away in a hot drought https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1597852782949-NSXVSK52H9362SKGRYJ2/image-asset.png Environmental Stories - Melting away in a hot drought Climate change is making traditional methods for predicting stream flows from melting mountain snowpack less reliable. But new approaches can help. These include mapping of snow depth and the water content of snow from the air — an approach used to create the map above of Colorado’s Maroon Bells in the spring of 2019. (Credit: Jeffrey Deems/ASO, NSIDC) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1597853261607-UHAF4QDKDZH6HZQGGRFW/East+Canyon+Fire+6-15-20+Sentinel+2.jpeg Environmental Stories - Melting away in a hot drought Southwestern Colorado’s East Sentinel Fire burns about 17 miles west of the city of Durango in hot and dry conditions on June 15, 2020, as seen by the Sentinel 2 satellite. (Credit: modified Copernicus Sentinel data processed by Tom Yulsman) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1597853367047-ZO0IGIOQ2SI0YW9XQPQG/Gunnison-moisture.gif Environmental Stories - Melting away in a hot drought A comparison vegetation moisture values centered on Gunnison, Colorado, as measured by the Sentinel 2 satellite in July of 2019 and this year. Red colors indicate drier conditions. (Credit: Copernicus Sentinel data processed by Tom Yulsman) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1597853147083-622TRKIGDFPB40OMODUT/glen-canyon-dam-web-43-1.jpg Environmental Stories - Melting away in a hot drought Glen Canyon Dam with the bathtub ring above Lake Powell showing the level it can reach when full. Credit: Mitch Tobin, The Water Desk https://www.jennasampson.co/environment/2020/5/qampa-former-top-interior-department-officials-assess-agency-under-trump monthly 0.5 2021-05-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1621611009772-RMLIVYHZ1R1F6CHFLPEJ/DOISealOnBkgnd900x519_0.jpg Environmental Stories - Q&A: former top Interior Department officials assess agency under Trump - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.jennasampson.co/environment/sciencestuntedpandemic monthly 0.5 2021-05-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1587665771222-R20PPWHBO84KZO7JLD4B/East+Campus Environmental Stories - Science is stunted as labs across the world shut down and summer field work is cancelled. CU Boulder’s East campus, which houses important programs like the Institute for Arctic and Alpine Research, is nearly empty as labs were told to pause all non-essential operations amid the COVID-19 crisis. Photo by Jenna Sampson https://www.jennasampson.co/environment/give-me-shelter-from-extinction monthly 0.5 2022-04-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1575822223385-JN3BWZ6OOSLO0KG97I2L/image-asset.jpeg Environmental Stories - Give Me Shelter from Extinction https://www.jennasampson.co/environment/2019/12/8/researchers-watch-and-learn-as-fire-habits-and-human-development-reach-a-tipping-point monthly 0.5 2020-03-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1575822957417-7LOH5V23WMC8W8MXBC6B/image-asset.jpeg Environmental Stories - Researchers watch and learn as fire habits and human development reach a tipping point https://www.jennasampson.co/environment/sea-ice-research-project monthly 0.5 2021-05-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1603908239853-M0X8ZQHSJMH7BFEKRPSO/Barrow+ice+thickness+research+presentation1.jpg Environmental Stories - Research project: Analyzing sea ice data for whaling off of Alaska https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1603907933118-JY14JLLS3KQVIVTDQ71N/Barrow+ice+thickness+research+presentation.jpg Environmental Stories - Research project: Analyzing sea ice data for whaling off of Alaska https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1603908249447-ZJGMJ117BORXA2K34FSD/Barrow+ice+thickness+research+presentation3.jpg Environmental Stories - Research project: Analyzing sea ice data for whaling off of Alaska https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1603908256321-WEAO1J5ZNB92SFTD7XH5/Barrow+ice+thickness+research+presentation4.jpg Environmental Stories - Research project: Analyzing sea ice data for whaling off of Alaska https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1603908262333-R96SPG4WLDPR7PSEVBBC/Barrow+ice+thickness+research+presentation5.jpg Environmental Stories - Research project: Analyzing sea ice data for whaling off of Alaska https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1603908277975-MMRPKVWO209PK94UNDPY/Barrow+ice+thickness+research+presentation6.jpg Environmental Stories - Research project: Analyzing sea ice data for whaling off of Alaska https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1603908276650-MHAAR60UAIR1WDAIYCOK/Barrow+ice+thickness+research+presentation7.jpg Environmental Stories - Research project: Analyzing sea ice data for whaling off of Alaska https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1603908277127-JBD3UE92QY4CD1ZRG0QP/Barrow+ice+thickness+research+presentation8.jpg Environmental Stories - Research project: Analyzing sea ice data for whaling off of Alaska https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1603908273638-YYQMHW1LSV9ZBGQ8LJJC/Barrow+ice+thickness+research+presentation9.jpg Environmental Stories - Research project: Analyzing sea ice data for whaling off of Alaska https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1603908270615-MT7JBGM19LRB4HN1CKW3/Barrow+ice+thickness+research+presentation10.jpg Environmental Stories - Research project: Analyzing sea ice data for whaling off of Alaska https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1603908274419-N6Y5OIR7DJOAM464UZQ0/Barrow+ice+thickness+research+presentation11.jpg Environmental Stories - Research project: Analyzing sea ice data for whaling off of Alaska https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1603908268568-NEWC8G5K1WHFSJ3F2EK2/Barrow+ice+thickness+research+presentation12.jpg Environmental Stories - Research project: Analyzing sea ice data for whaling off of Alaska https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1603908269045-SQTCEWKJ37BA1YHHIZ52/Barrow+ice+thickness+research+presentation13.jpg Environmental Stories - Research project: Analyzing sea ice data for whaling off of Alaska https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1603908265864-DJSC2HJ3BPRLTWHJ8EZO/Barrow+ice+thickness+research+presentation14.jpg Environmental Stories - Research project: Analyzing sea ice data for whaling off of Alaska https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1603908264443-UNLYNY5ZNELTGLNO6M0Y/Barrow+ice+thickness+research+presentation15.jpg Environmental Stories - Research project: Analyzing sea ice data for whaling off of Alaska https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1603908262898-UQ5BYY2RAVLAJCKLBKFL/Barrow+ice+thickness+research+presentation16.jpg Environmental Stories - Research project: Analyzing sea ice data for whaling off of Alaska https://www.jennasampson.co/environment/2019/6/17/a-conversation-between-arctic-air-and-the-east-greenland-ice-sheet monthly 0.5 2020-03-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1560800044172-O1T0PF1SVMMK4SJ16X4G/Screen+Shot+2019-06-17+at+1.32.08+PM.png Environmental Stories - A conversation between Arctic air and the East Greenland ice sheet East Greenland Ice-Core Project camp in 2018. The three-story black dome in the distance, a multi-rotor drone in the foreground used to prototype a way of collecting air samples aloft. Photo credit: Egripcamp Instagram. https://www.jennasampson.co/environment/the-coldest-place-on-earth monthly 0.5 2022-04-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1558107817590-BQ7HD2HLZHOJXU9QF7GD/Hobman_IceCore.jpg Environmental Stories - The Coldest Place on Earth https://www.jennasampson.co/environment/2019/5/17/change-is-coming-an-alaskan-oil-saga monthly 0.5 2020-03-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1558128716613-7R62UQTL4U2LUBY1ZS3U/image-asset.jpeg Environmental Stories - Change is Coming: An Alaskan Oil Saga https://www.jennasampson.co/environment/2019/4/9/public-land-defenders-push-for-public-comment-on-arctic-drilling monthly 0.5 2020-03-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1554849380625-PQEXIDHQCEU453E4I641/IMG_2465.JPG Environmental Stories - Public land defenders push for public comment on Arctic drilling https://www.jennasampson.co/environment/2019/4/9/fire-mitigation-efforts-a-priority-for-voters-but-hit-social-and-bureaucratic-snags-in-practice monthly 0.5 2020-03-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1554849280553-35ROG1L2F1K3EQ35BO1G/IMG_2709.JPG Environmental Stories - Fire mitigation efforts a priority for voters, but hit social and bureaucratic snags in practice https://www.jennasampson.co/environment/2019/2/6/its-not-just-a-stereotype-outdoor-enthusiasts-make-up-70-percent-of-the-mountain-west monthly 0.5 2020-03-18 https://www.jennasampson.co/environment/2018/11/6/pre-election-radio-piece monthly 0.5 2020-03-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1541525031420-3O1ALVTUD8011KWXTUV2/IMG_1178.JPG Environmental Stories - Pre-Election Radio Piece https://www.jennasampson.co/environment/2018/11/3/profile-of-an-adventurer monthly 0.5 2020-03-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1541341694366-ECF1IN7Y0EG6PHVSYN11/IMG_1091.JPG Environmental Stories - Profile of an adventurer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1541341694563-2K5VJ5F0Z76DFKP1LLRO/IMG_1092.JPG Environmental Stories - Profile of an adventurer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1541341695141-8T7J0XADL0U4LOVAO063/IMG_1093.JPG Environmental Stories - Profile of an adventurer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1541297693522-LIRGCMDPV72MWXBA0WRI/IMG_1117.JPG Environmental Stories - Profile of an adventurer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1541298161622-CGZ0LLVB9PVDPV8O5P86/IMG_1095.JPG Environmental Stories - Profile of an adventurer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1541298151302-B7MPVG6ZBRUMM81IJWBE/IMG_1096.JPG Environmental Stories - Profile of an adventurer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1541298219352-2RPAX6220TQHZYQLJRXU/IMG_1101.JPG Environmental Stories - Profile of an adventurer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1541298227080-RM5PXGJDWOUIXHU7X4E7/IMG_1113.JPG Environmental Stories - Profile of an adventurer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1541298265606-D8PM205YE7RGYK11DGTH/IMG_1120.JPG Environmental Stories - Profile of an adventurer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1541298276640-Y4GYKG0HDTHXVH4ZUK94/IMG_1125.JPG Environmental Stories - Profile of an adventurer https://www.jennasampson.co/environment/2018/8/24/a-photo-story monthly 0.5 2020-03-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1535127735931-B6311GA5ENVTMKFRQ4OO/1_storefront.jpg Environmental Stories - A photo story https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1535127649489-BZGJ3NX10D4RJU6JBIUJ/2_toys.jpg Environmental Stories - A photo story https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1535127681572-G5UMVF2K34SELQ8HYXNR/3_chewguard.jpg Environmental Stories - A photo story https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1535127708536-S4Q1EUNMKSZKPB9FP49X/4_gift.jpg Environmental Stories - A photo story https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1535127762875-X8EGO64OIWIQR3US9RJG/5_dead.jpg Environmental Stories - A photo story https://www.jennasampson.co/environment/2018/8/24/telluride-adventures-at-the-mushroom-festival monthly 0.5 2020-03-18 https://www.jennasampson.co/environment/2018/8/24/humans-of-boulder monthly 0.5 2020-03-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1535126489693-V5GHSTTWX7SY02DSUCS1/flowers.jpg Environmental Stories - Humans of Boulder https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1535126510898-LKXNQ9H654YD2FU2D9EY/socialist_group_leaders.jpg Environmental Stories - Humans of Boulder https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1535126544218-49LM7YYIYKZEY50GSMPO/Armani-_hat.jpg Environmental Stories - Humans of Boulder https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1535127223899-978EUSAJT1PK2P42YZYD/activist_teacher_1.jpg Environmental Stories - Humans of Boulder https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1535127268361-3FQ11QXZUSOY2V0MO9EX/woman_smiling.jpg Environmental Stories - Humans of Boulder https://www.jennasampson.co/environment/category/Photography monthly 0.5 https://www.jennasampson.co/environment/category/Writing monthly 0.5 https://www.jennasampson.co/environment/category/Published monthly 0.5 https://www.jennasampson.co/environment/category/Research monthly 0.5 https://www.jennasampson.co/environment/category/Audio monthly 0.5 https://www.jennasampson.co/environment/tag/Outdoor+recreation monthly 0.5 https://www.jennasampson.co/environment/tag/Climate monthly 0.5 https://www.jennasampson.co/environment/tag/Meditation monthly 0.5 https://www.jennasampson.co/environment/tag/Conservation monthly 0.5 https://www.jennasampson.co/environment/tag/Science monthly 0.5 https://www.jennasampson.co/environment/tag/Profile monthly 0.5 https://www.jennasampson.co/environment/tag/Ice+cores monthly 0.5 https://www.jennasampson.co/environment/tag/Voting monthly 0.5 https://www.jennasampson.co/environment/tag/Colorado monthly 0.5 https://www.jennasampson.co/environment/tag/ANWR monthly 0.5 https://www.jennasampson.co/environment/tag/Alaska monthly 0.5 https://www.jennasampson.co/environment/tag/Isotopes monthly 0.5 https://www.jennasampson.co/environment/tag/Culture monthly 0.5 https://www.jennasampson.co/environment/tag/CU+Boulder monthly 0.5 https://www.jennasampson.co/environment/tag/Indigenous+Rights monthly 0.5 https://www.jennasampson.co/environment/tag/funding monthly 0.5 https://www.jennasampson.co/environment/tag/Boreal+Toad monthly 0.5 https://www.jennasampson.co/environment/tag/Adventure monthly 0.5 https://www.jennasampson.co/environment/tag/Boulder monthly 0.5 https://www.jennasampson.co/environment/tag/covid-19 monthly 0.5 https://www.jennasampson.co/environment/tag/Public+land monthly 0.5 https://www.jennasampson.co/environment/tag/Photography monthly 0.5 https://www.jennasampson.co/environment/tag/Oil monthly 0.5 https://www.jennasampson.co/environment/tag/Fire monthly 0.5 https://www.jennasampson.co/environment/tag/Environment monthly 0.5 https://www.jennasampson.co/environment/tag/Politics monthly 0.5 https://www.jennasampson.co/environment/tag/Arctic monthly 0.5 https://www.jennasampson.co/environment/tag/Greenland monthly 0.5 https://www.jennasampson.co/featurestory daily 0.75 2025-12-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1585585571908-0HMI3FC2C4ZN473OPJQJ/Rosy%2Bfinch%2Bwinter%2Brange%2Bfuture Sirens of Change The Brown-capped Rosy Finch is expected to lose most of its wintering range even in the least aggressive emissions scenario, according to the Audubon. https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/brown-capped-rosy-finch https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1584457619989-PL0W891T7Y7CJDXU6ISM/Brown-capped_rosy_finch.jpg Sirens of Change The Brown-Capped Rosy Finch is an endangered species. As the highest-breeding bird in the country, the finch is restricted to areas above treeline. This alpine ecosystem is getting squished by the lower-elevation ones that are expanding upward. Because this species is so restricted geographically, scientists worry they aren’t genetically diverse enough to adapt by breeding with a similar species. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1584457133734-1MSWXITSYWK9ZGMO324L/Clark%27s+nutcracker+feeding+on+Limber+pine+seed Sirens of Change Here, a Clark’s Nutcracker feeds on a Limber pine seed. These birds are accidental architects of the forest by caching tens of thousands of seeds each year, more than they are able to return to. Those left behind have a chance of germinating and growing. However, changing climate conditions are proliferating a fungus that kills this tree, which in turn would reduce the food security of the nutcracker. Researchers expect a 40 percent loss in Limber pine coverage over the next ten years. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1584452744985-Q27NMZSDTMYCGUWMFSQR/Screen+Shot+2020-03-17+at+7.45.26+AM.png Sirens of Change - Among the species likely to be found at (RMNP) today, climate suitability in summer under the high-emissions pathway is projected to improve for 68, remain stable for 34, and worsen for 20 species. Suitable climate ceases to occur for 9 species in summer, potentially resulting in extirpation of those species from the Park Figure and text taken from the Birds and Climate Change: Rocky Mountain National Park study published by the National Audubon Society in March 2018. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1585589958972-2WS9SRL6U4Y82PK4I7AU/Annual+mean+temp+RMNP Sirens of Change Average annual mean temperature, 5-year rolling average, and trend in Rocky Mountain National Park, 1895-2013. (PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University, http://prism.oregonstate.edu, created Oct. 2014 by NPS) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1585585114030-T9BIGR946NQMRE78A2US/nutcracker+winter+range+future Sirens of Change The Clark's Nutcracker is expected to lose 52% of its wintering range by 2050, according to the Audubon. Since more northern states will get warmer, this will open up new range for expansion as well. https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/clarks-nutcracker https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1586990959028-SPGSNR9IKFNT4I1E290S/image-asset.jpeg Sirens of Change Specimens being tagged and registered into the Museum archive, which is publicly searchable. Photo by Jenna Sampson https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1586991192929-CTJSYDJ1S1YJ737PYOGN/limber+pine Sirens of Change - After 50 years of growth, one limber pine will finally produce one pine cone, and after a century it will be fully productive. This pine species defines the Rocky Mountain treeline because of its ability to withstand the extreme conditions. An old growth limber pine tree (Pinus Flexilis) on a rocky outcropping, where the species is able hold strong against extreme winds. photo by NPS https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1585667919285-AJD27458K30ROOCH0TD1/IMG_5862.jpg Sirens of Change https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1587665162060-WHTXVU9Z3L4FX1296ER5/IMG_6055.jpg Sirens of Change https://www.jennasampson.co/poleward daily 0.75 2020-09-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1599966861199-4EMUAPOHNH9S89ADKJTE/2A47A555-5898-4B92-A493-9724ABC3765B.jpeg Project poleward https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1599941083232-5QDAEYPJHOI64S5FYE48/71094171-E2D3-4296-A723-231267C94836_1_105_c.jpeg Project poleward - John Behrends on the cover of Outdoor Life My step-grandfather on the cover of Outdoor Life for his skill at varmint calling. After helping build the Alaska pipeline he escaped to the woods and became a trapper, landing on a cheap piece of land in what later became the Wrangell St. Elias National Park. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1599999084042-TVLMHPITRXCM583PL53B/630DA70A-3329-4DA6-815B-19F29017F012_1_105_c.jpeg Project poleward https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1599999074146-2B1ESXTKSNRTVHFW97HG/AE551D38-B721-41FF-A693-6A18207072CB_1_105_c.jpeg Project poleward - John and Buddy (#2) He names all of his dogs Buddy. This one eats out of an old gold mining pan and they toast bear meatballs for him over the barrel stove. When he’s lucky, John will come across a carcass and bring back a femur to chew on. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1599941079735-8Z72A1LLX4WY15224A4Z/7093ED30-88FD-4141-985E-EB57F50C542E_1_105_c.jpeg Project poleward - Looking for bears The closest neighbors to the homestead had two 800 lb brown bears break into their cabin. Betty-Anne took me on a four-wheeler in the pouring rain to see the damage. We wiggled two huge propane cylinders out of the way (a back-country door lock) and stepped inside. Sunday comics were strewn about, and the place was dank. I couldn’t tell if it was the bears or if that was just the normal state of things there. Audubon guidebooks filled the shelves, and an animal tail was draped around an old photo. Looking out onto the deck you could see that it wasn’t built to hold the weight of two giant animals. I didn’t get to meet Rudy, but he’s a hardy soul that I’m told still chops wood well into his 90’s. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1599999110251-13GD6RT37LQ4UBP7OREN/E3C8AA12-5A22-441C-BC02-72FACE9E22F7_1_105_c.jpeg Project poleward - A deck caved in by wandering bears Looking down on the damage from two grizzlies falling through the large front deck. They also ripped the door right off Rudy’s old truck. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1599999105500-I5D5AEQYXK13U9UXA8F8/19DAA0E6-2687-4F11-9DD3-0DB0AC6D8FF1_1_105_c.jpeg Project poleward - Sumday comics on the floor https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1599999107584-S3R3BIUDDOQ83TCCSXYR/8BB03126-C610-4A3F-A913-B42256706252_1_105_c.jpeg Project poleward - Rudy's cabin The cabin is huge, with small and large rooms, this one being the most welcoming. Not a bad place to spend the summer. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1599999103552-O1LLBY01VRLEM0RARK2N/0DC1171B-3142-48EC-9BA7-14E3B03A7B34_1_105_c.jpeg Project poleward - Checkin in on a neighbor Rudy is the nearest neighbor to the homestead. A bumpy truck ride down to the lake followed by a barely maneuverable trail by four-wheeler got us there in one - very muddy - piece. A huge propane cylinder propped against the front door acts as a deterrent. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1599999089678-JKDAGETF9Z4MEX5L3RAG/E01FE418-43AE-43FD-9A8F-08E1802B3717_1_105_c.jpeg Project poleward - Always something to be fixed Troy and his father fix the side-by-side that allows them to travel across the mushy tundra. Hunting season is only a few weeks away and there is endless terrain to account for. Luckily an Amazon purchase made its way with the Wednesday mail. John was utterly joyous that he could purchase what he needed so easily and receive it within a few days. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1599999093607-NGKEKXX0D3TPZSJJ6L57/ED884DD3-DF6E-4633-8F94-B8DBD89CC5DD_1_105_c.jpeg Project poleward - Trapper's cabin John leaves this cabin available for hunters in the area who get lost. It’s a remote wilderness without much in the way of shelter. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1600280118999-WQ468OK09QUL7T53IMDN/1D73D5B4-69E5-4EA1-B240-97FE1099C4DD_1_105_c.jpeg Project poleward - Tapping freshwater during a stormy summer A very long water line pumps fresh water to the cabin. My visit coincided with wildfire season, which somehow coincided with the biggest late-summer downpour John had ever seen. In as big a state as Alaska, the two climate phenomenons can run in parallel. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1599999079406-PC77A9V53AU8ULJ06NAN/CCC18536-52AF-4B43-92E7-082F1A3EFE02_1_105_c.jpeg Project poleward - Wild asparagus baby My daughter won’t turn down much of anything. Wild blueberries usually stained her cheeks on this trip to the Wrangell-St. Elias homestead. Foraging is something we do for fun, but out there it’s the only option for fresh produce. The nearest store is a gas station, two hours away. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1599999096940-YCERW3KN8DGBZ6UECY6C/CCA8D835-D761-4E28-A656-EEE069A03BB5_1_105_c.jpeg Project poleward - Trophy wall at a roadside bar Eureka Roadhouse is the all-in-one stop for gas, food, alcohol and lodging for travelers a few hours northeast of Anchorage. The famous cinnamon bun recipe apparently comes from my step-father’s foster mom. It’s a small world in rural Alaska. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1599941065662-EMTZ0SLAS2LIROUK8LUD/C46A4E26-E57D-41E1-982A-F0B87D63D3AF_1_105_c.jpeg Project poleward - Bristol Bay in the crosshairs I've met only one person who was pro-Pebble Mine. We ran into him out in the recreational gold mining area outside Anchorage. He argued that fishermen are angry about the idea of the mine, yet their rods and reels are made from the material that would be mined - molybdenum. After decades of trying to push the project through it was recently shot down again by the EPA. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1599941059217-1VUVGTMK4PXOX5LLJJKK/E6B01885-CE6C-4BD9-8FDF-448E84F012F6_1_105_c.jpeg Project poleward - Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center A moose strolls the refuge. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1599941061957-U5T4PF5UY9HY4PEGEYWT/325087EA-B77C-41DA-BC88-C6CB4EF9C6FD_1_105_c.jpeg Project poleward - Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center A brown bear cruises the sanctuary after a playful few minutes in the water with a large bone given to him by the staff. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1599941068852-HGTT0YZOJ7T6RIM33PZL/76EF7AC7-699B-4FA8-AEA4-39C93DD43160_1_105_c.jpeg Project poleward - Potter Marsh A bird perched on the walkway at Potter Marsh just before the wildfire season kicked in full force the summer of 2019. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1599941070857-0W1POWI4WBPJR0T1KFQ8/EDFBA721-4BDE-401C-BC94-F73E90BB5351_1_105_c.jpeg Project poleward - Chugiak range out of Anchorage https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1599941073996-YMW4S0F53NWB47MZ673K/F0A8C808-792A-4199-B37A-B90396DD62F8_1_105_c.jpeg Project poleward - Unlikely home Wildflower at the top of Little O’malley peak. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1599941077592-VZA926TXNEK89Y308MPR/961C177A-C511-4C7C-BA3E-82E9350DFB35_1_105_c.jpeg Project poleward - Potter Marsh https://www.jennasampson.co/work daily 0.75 2020-01-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1579901633859-HPRLWHY94VR5A2NHKTC6/image-asset.jpeg Work - Give Me Shelter From Extinction The Colorado boreal toad is receiving experimental treatment to fight off widespread infection. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1580144892858-ANAFMMOATZNZ4IAUSP1S/Screen+Shot+2019-06-17+at+1.32.08+PM.png Work - A conversation between Arctic air and the East Greenland ice sheet After decades of using drills to unearth answers to our climate history, scientists are using drones to look up, into our climate future. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1580145131913-K1FW0HN6EHC2IT2X3PZS/image-asset.jpeg Work - Researchers watch and learn as fire habits and human development reach a tipping point Fire season was over, but the blaze still took hold. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1579900950030-8K0ZS0A7UJ9IJO5HH0CZ/image-asset.jpeg Work - The Coldest Place on Earth A unique Look at the National Ice Core Facility https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1580144724044-A3K48O8L8VO0UEALQALV/elkherd.JPG Work - Public land defenders push for public comment on Arctic drilling The push for oil exploration in Alaska’s arctic speeds up https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1579902023376-DUG2HPCKYY3Q0IXEX5P1/IMG_1091.JPG Work - Profile of an Adventurer A life-threatening fall down Mt Whitney creates a passion for mental strength https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1579724946741-0MY9VKA4G99A2FFWZENQ/Screen+Shot+2020-01-22+at+1.29.00+PM.png Work - Oceanography and climate project Measuring ice sheets for the benefit of whalers - while studying oceanography and climate at CU Boulder I looked into whether satellites were a sufficient way to estimate ice thickness on the northern coast of Alaska. This is important for villagers who traverse the ice to hunt. You can view my presentation here. https://www.jennasampson.co/contact-1 daily 0.75 2018-11-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1536009802418-LLXLOCT64N3B9O840WK0/DSC03111.jpg Contact https://www.jennasampson.co/bio daily 0.75 2022-04-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/1584391780795-8ZAFF161IQ29WRJNZ2TJ/IMG_1720.jpg Bio https://www.jennasampson.co/kids daily 1.0 2025-12-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/b9175586-2c3c-4bdb-bb63-ad35c85e7291/MaggieMcGee-MaggiesRideSpread-R2.png Maggie McGee: Reporter in chief - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b7efb4e266c07f5aa584fa9/8f49bda5-85c3-4b71-898c-b23997a7d0bc/MaggieMcGee-CharacterDesign-R2.png Maggie McGee: Reporter in chief Character design sketches by Alicia Griffith https://www.jennasampson.co/2025 daily 0.75 2025-12-19