School of Earth & Sustainability News

A new study published in Water Resources Research by SES faculty and students shows how unprecedented wildfires and resulting flooding can have major impacts on Flagstaff property values. Hear an interview with lead author Dr. Julie Mueller on KNAU radio.

This summer, NAU's Dr. Laura Huenneke began her term as President of the world's largest society of ecologists, after her election a year ago. As Laura explains in the ESA press release, the job is not just about keeping things running smoothly: “[w]e live in an increasingly complicated and interconnected world that requires sound ecological science to improve management of the human and natural environment. ESA’s members provide that scientific understanding of the world around us, and we need their expertise…

Rivers in the Southwest are increasingly intermittent: flowing when it's wet, but converted to a series of isolated pools when it's dry. This has major effects on the types of aquatic plants and animals that live in and near rivers. As part of a new $3 million NSF grant, Ben Ruddell and Abe Springer are working to develop a smartphone app that lets everyone contribute to documenting dry and wet river conditions. Read more at NAU News.

SES Research Professor Erika Nowak is featured on NAU News for her work on rattlesnakes and gartersnakes, and discusses how the threats we pose to them far outweigh their danger to us. Read the article here or learn more about Dr. Nowak's research program.

Rivers in the Southwest are increasingly intermittent: flowing when it's wet, but converted to a series of isolated pools when it's dry. This has major effects on the types of aquatic plants and animals that live in and near rivers. As part of a new $3 million NSF grant, Ben Ruddell and Abe Springer are working to develop a smartphone app that lets everyone contribute to documenting dry and wet river conditions. Read more at NAU News.

Project Director Karin Wadsack is working with multiple federal agencies and the Navajo Nation on a new grant focused on diversifying economic opportunities after the closing of the Navajo Generating Station and Kayenta Mine in 2019. Read more in NAU News.

How much is a tree worth? Julie Mueller is going to find out. Mueller, an associate professor in The W. A. Franke College of Business and School of Earth Sciences and Environmental Sustainability (SESES), was awarded a $185,000 grant from the U.S. Geological Survey to measure the economic value a forest ecosystem in northern New Mexico provides. This project takes into account a variety of benefits a healthy forest provides to surrounding areas, including cleaner air, water for municipal and agricultural use and recreation opportunities…

Professors Teki Sankey and Abe Springer received a new grant from the The Nature Conservancy to study how reduced canopy closure following thinning of ponderosa pine forests affects snow infiltration. Read all about it at NAU News.

Graduating Environmental & Sustainability Studies major Chandler Emerald McCormick has been awarded the prestigious President's Prize as well as the Gold Axe award. Many congrats on your success Emerald, and thanks for all your excellent work engaging students at the NAU Office of Sustainability! Additional congrats to Julia Hernandez, who was selected to be the Standard Bearer for the College of the Environment, Forestry & Natural Sciences Commencement Ceremony this Fall! Julia is graduating from NAU's intensive Interdisciplinary Global Programs with a joint degree in…

Every year, a few carefully selected NAU undergraduates embark on a year of NAU-funded independent research projects, thanks to the Hooper Undergraduate Research Award. This year, a full 10 of these students are from the School of Earth & Sustainability! We're looking forward to your discoveries Morgan Andrews, Leah Brennan, William Carter, Jenna Chaffeur, Ray Eckland, Lauren Mason-Sarantopulos, Jill Miller, Chelsea Seaton, Andrew Thomas, and Amber Treadway! Follow them and other undergrad researchers at on the NAU Undergrad Research facebook…

Seniors Joe Sweet and Sarah Emily Grams recently wrapped up their year of research as NAU/NASA Space Grant Undergraduate Research Internship Program, and are featured in the student spotlight of NAU News today. Joe worked on remote sensing of aquatic habitats in Arizona with Rebecca Best and Dan Buscombe, while Sarah worked on carbon storage in grazed and ungrazed grasslands with Nancy Johnson and Megan Deane. Both presented at the NAU UGRADS research symposium and at the Arizona Space Grant Statewide…

Undergraduate and graduate students in the School organized the 1st Annual Student Water Symposium at NAU this April, with support from faculty member Denielle Perry. Students also presented their work in the symposium, showcasing a wide range of water-related research, including work on climate change, conservation and restoration, and meteorology. The event also featured a strong public outreach component, with public panels and discussions highlighted in NAU News. Also catch Dr. Denielle Perry along with grad students Adrienne Soder and Mary…

Students in the Climate Science & Solutions Master's program are helping to shape Flagstaff's climate policy. From the article in Green NAU: "partnering with the CSS students was a tremendous help especially at the very beginning stages of defining a path towards a [Flagstaff’s First Climate Action and Adaptation Plan]."

Mike Kelly (MS ’91 and Adjunct Professor) is helping illustrate future climate change at a new visitor center exhibit at Acadia National Park, ME. From the article: "Displays such as 'Open ocean tomorrow?' ask visitors to consider some scenarios of climate change consequences in the park. 'As sea levels continue to rise, scientists question if some of Acadia’s salt water marshes might permanently flood, creating an open ocean where a tidal marsh once existed'...the exhibit, which includes a 3D topographic map of the park…