By Jeff Fair, Lazy Mountain, Alaska
Encounters with Owls
The first owl I encountered as a young lad back in Palmdale, Pennsylvania, was the Great Horned Owl that haunted my grandparents’ attic. It had arrived there, likely from a tree near the chicken coop, by way of my grandfather’s 12-gauge and a taxidermist’s ministrations. Its musty silence I expected. What freaked me out was the way the black pupils of that dead, stiff, stuffed bird’s yellow marble eyes followed me wherever I walked within its gaze.. Read the full article here
BRI 25 Year Anniversary Video
Links to BRI Centers
o Conservation and Climate Change
o Waterbirds
o Research on Offshore Wind and the
Environment
o Mercury Studies
View the One Drop of Water Archive here.
We protect what we love, and we love what we know.
What do you see in one drop of water? Is it full of life, or is it insignificant? Conservation is not a singular idea, or effort, or obligation. A common misconception is that small efforts don’t matter. This e-magazine offers a new perspective. As Desmond Tutu once said, “… if we remember that the sea is actually made up of drops of water and each drop counts, each one of us can do our little bit where we are. Those little bits can come together and almost overwhelm the world.”
Vol. 3 Issue 2.
Since its inception, BRI has prioritized the advancement of natural resource sciences in response to pressing ecological threats such as contaminants, habitat loss, climate change, and renewable energy development. We have cultivated the expertise and resources needed to develop innovative study designs, achieve more precise analysis, and maintain objective and informative interpretation.
Polar (opposite) Research
By Sarah Dodgin, Ecological Analyst
The cryosphere describes the frozen parts of earth, which includes glaciers, ice sheets, snow, and permafrost. While these areas sound desolate and void of life, two scientists at BRI have devoted decades to studying the diversity of animals that call these frigid landscapes home. Read the full article.
BRI is well known for the integrity of our scientific study; this is in large part due to the people behind the science. For most, their work is not a job, but a deliberate way of life. Our staff members are hardy souls who endure long hours in all manner of weather and conditions. In this section, we will bring you the stories of the people behind the science.
Wetland Wonders: From Colombia to Conservation
By Allison Foster, Science Communications Coordinator
Wetlands are among the most important ecosystems on Earth; they support extensive food webs and rich biodiversity and provide unique habitats for various wildlife. Some wetland ecosystems are declining and of high conservation concern. That’s why wetland scientists like Korik Vargas are so important to the work BRI does in the field. Read the full article.
What is climate change resiliency? How do wildfires in Africa affect us in North America? Why do we care if a particular species becomes extinct? How is my small effort to recycle going to save the planet? What does art have to do with science? These are questions we will explore in this section of our ezine.
Interview with Ken Archer, Wildlife Conservation Photographer
By Deborah McKew, Commuications and Publications Director
As with every creative endeavor, conservation is a process; it requires first an idea that strikes a chord. Once captivated, people can begin to gain an understanding of a given concern, and they will be more apt to take positive action. Ken Archer is a renowned wildlife conservation photographer who shares his thoughts on the subject. Read the full article.
BRI has made great strides in bringing emerging ecological issues to the forefront of our nation’s and the world’s consciousness. Our scientific findings are imperative to those who make decisions about environmental policy and land use management. Stories here will focus on the critical intersection where science informs policy.
Journey of a Thousand Miles
By Eleanor Eckel, Science Policy Coordinator
This piece honors the memory of President Jimmy Carter. The story begins in Unity, a tiny town of just over 2,000 residents in northern Maine, which swells to more than 60,000 during its annual Common Ground Country Fair. Besides the famous fair, this town claims an important piece of environmental history connected to President Carter. Read the full article.
