Category: Technology

Coconino County Invites Residents to Test Broadband Speeds to Determine Needs

by Community Contributor • April 19, 2024 • Comments Off

COCONINO COUNTY — In today’s world, a strong, high speed internet connection is essential; in Coconino County, there are unserved and underserved areas that could use a boost.

The State of Arizona recently received $993.1 million in federal funding for the BEAD (Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment) program to do just that.  

The program requires the Arizona Commerce Authority to allow customers to challenge the accuracy of their internet speed. Residents have until May 14 to participate in a series of speed tests to determine if their area is unserved or underserved by broadband internet. The BEAD funds must be spent in these unserved or underserved areas. 

The NAU Review — Celebrate award-winning Lumberjacks, hear from an emergency dispatcher, meet Cassie Bonah + don’t forget to tag your bike!

by Community Contributor • April 16, 2024 • Comments Off

Proud family members, mentors and NAU leaders looked on as dozens of soon-to-be-graduates accepted President’s Prizes, Gold Axe awards and Distinguished Senior awards in recognition of their exceptional accomplishments, service and scholarship. At the award ceremony on April 11, Provost Karen Pugliesi made special note of five seniors who received the President’s Prize, the highest honor awarded to undergraduate students.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — Bioscience Roadmap Update

by Community Contributor • March 29, 2024 • Comments Off

We are all aware of the crucial role the bioscience sector plays in driving innovation, economic growth, and improving healthcare outcomes in Arizona. We hope you will join us next month for a virtual update on Arizona’s Bioscience Roadmap.

The Flinn Foundation, which originally commissioned this long-term strategic plan more than two decades ago, will host the free Zoom session from 12 – 1:30 p.m. on Monday, April 22. You can register to attend HERE.

The NAU Review — Hope for redwood resilience, winter stargazing tips and a Q&A with Diamond Bracey

by Community Contributor • January 23, 2024 • Comments Off

After a catastrophic fire hit California’s Big Basin State Park in 2020, thousands of acres of redwoods that had been burned appeared dead. New research from NAU shows that many of these ancient trees have survived, drawing on massive carbon reserves to fuel new growth. The research team’s models indicate the sprouting trees are using carbon they captured 50 to 100 years ago—some of the oldest carbon reserves ever measured.

Flagstaff Festival of Science — Local Science Spotlight: Science and Storytelling with Nicole Walker

by Community Contributor • December 6, 2023 • Comments Off

Discover the captivating intersection of science and storytelling in the heart of Flagstaff, Arizona as local writer and educator, Nicole Walker, unravels the hidden secrets of the coastal redwoods. In a recent blog post, Nicole tells us about the intriguing exploration of resilience, shedding light on the ability of redwoods to utilize decades-old carbon for rejuvenation after wildfires, a topic inspired by her personal experiences with the annual fire concerns in Northern Arizona.

Visit our website to read the full article!

Flagstaff Festival of Science — Your support (on Giving Tuesday) nurtures a future scientist!

by Community Contributor • November 27, 2023 • Comments Off

This year marks our 35th anniversary, and we’re gearing up for an even better Science in the Park. With Giving Tuesday right around the corner, will you make a contribution towards Science in the Park?

Families get to experience 50 unique science demonstrations—physics, chemistry, and more! What’s more, youth-focused vendors participate at no cost, so every child can join in.

Imagine the impact: your support nurturing a future scientist or STEM professional. Your donation creates ripples of inspiration that last a lifetime.

Ready to be part of something amazing? With your help, we’ll reach our $5,500 goal. The Festival Board has generously offered a one-to-one match up to $1,000! Make your gift online by December 2 and it will be doubled! Or, send us a check to: 2700 S. Woodlands Village Blvd. Set 300 – 284, Flagstaff Arizona 86001!

The NAU Review — A new microscope, STEM art and November’s Inclusive Insights

by Community Contributor • November 7, 2023 • Comments Off

A whole new world
Most microscopes, common in labs, are limited to magnifications of about 1,500 times. NAU’s newly acquired transmission electron microscope can easily achieve magnifications of up to two million times, giving students and researchers the ability to study samples like never before, opening up their eyes to a world previously unknown.

Flagstaff Festival of Science — USGS Open House Rescheduled to Nov. 5

by Community Contributor • October 31, 2023 • Comments Off

The USGS Open House is now re-scheduled for Sunday Nov. 5 from 1-4 pm! Explore interactive displays and activities related to geography, biology, hydrology, planetary science and mapping! Free to the public!

Located at the USGS Flagstaff Science Campus: 2255 N Gemini Rd, Flagstaff, AZ 86001.

Flagstaff Festival of Science — Join us Friday, Sept. 29 for Flagstaff Festival of Science ‘SCI Talks’

by Community Contributor • September 28, 2023 • Comments Off

Inspired by the proliferation and success of TED’s winning formula for engaging, short talks in an intimate, fun setting, the Flagstaff Festival of Science presents the annual SCI Talks (Science, Communication, Innovation) event at the Coconino Center for the Arts. Since 2015, SCI Talks highlight local scientists and science educators sharing their research and innovative science communication ideas.

Quantum Scientist, Ines Montano, explains how we are on the precipice of a technological revolution. Ecologist, Jut Wynne, will share his experiences with caves from around the globe. Artist, Robert Long, highlights how his artwork gives underrepresented organisms louder voices and visually compelling self-worlds. Terra BIRDS founder, John Taylor, describes how his organization teaches environmental stewardship in schools through gardening.

District 5 Supervisor Lena Fowler latest news — Navajo Broadband Conference Oct. 16-17

by Community Contributor • September 27, 2023 • Comments Off

BUILDING A CONNECTED NAVAJO FUTURE

NAVAJO NATION BROADBAND CONFERENCE

OCTOBER 16-17, 2023

SAN JUAN COLLEGE, HENDERSON CENTER,

FARMINGTON, NEW MEXICO

The NAU Review — Recapping the University Convocation, an inside look at the diamond industry, space research and why we should be concerned for future rainforests

by Community Contributor • August 23, 2023 • Comments Off

In the annual University Convocation, President Cruz Rivera reflected on NAU’s long history of championing student access and success, welcomed new faculty to campus, shared highlights from last year and set some big goals for the future, anchored by a bold challenge to structure and prioritize work across the university to improve retention, persistence and graduation to facilitate students’ academic momentum. Students should also keep an eye on the course catalog for the spring—Cruz Rivera announced that he’d be teaching a class.

Coconino County Honored Again as 2023 NACo Digital Counties Survey Winner

by Community Contributor • August 4, 2023 • Comments Off

Coconino County is pleased to share the exciting news that we have again been recognized as one of the top counties in the United States for deploying digital technology practices for better government …

… in the 2023 National Association of Counties (NACo) Digital Counties Survey, conducted by the Center for Digital Government.

This is the fourth consecutive year Coconino County has placed in the Top 10 counties in the up to 150,000 population category. The County is being recognized for Aligned Leadership, Cybersecurity, Constituent Centric, Data Driven Government, IT Investments, Resilience, Workforce Planning, Continuous Innovation, Connected Infrastructure, and Business Process Alignment.

The NAU Review — ASA space laser answers mystery, health equity for Indigenous people, NAU volunteers and student wins Boren scholarship

by Community Contributor • July 19, 2023 • Comments Off

NASA space laser reveals rainforest mystery

We know less about the rainforest canopy, where most of the world’s species live than we do about the surface of Mars or the bottom of the ocean. However, that is about to change thanks to GEDI—a laser aboard the International Space Station that has provided a detailed structure of the world’s rainforests for the first time. Christopher Doughty and researchers throughout the world are using the 3D map to understand the amounts of biomass and carbon forests store and how much they lose when disturbed—vital information for understanding Earth’s carbon cycle and how it is changing.

The NAU Review — Happy Pride, Lumberjacks! Learn about the role of trees and arctic ground squirrels in climate change and upcoming roadwork on campus

by Community Contributor • June 7, 2023 • Comments Off

As the Arctic warms, arctic ground squirrels changing hibernation patterns

A unique long-term study, which NAU professor Loren Buck started more than two decades ago while doing his Ph.D. research in Alaska, helps us understand biological responses to climate shifts through the hibernation patterns of a cute little rodent. In the course of the 25-year study, researchers found that the female and male squirrels developed different hibernation periods over that time. The females “rise and shine” a little earlier in response to warming, which could have both positive and negative ripple effects throughout the food web in these ecosystems.

The NAU Review — octoral student wins NSF fellowship, International Haiku Day, 10 ways to get involved with sustainability and Janine Schipper answers our questions

by Community Contributor • April 18, 2023 • Comments Off

Anna Baker has always known she wanted to be a scientist. She came to NAU in 2021 to earn her doctorate in planetary science and dove into new research on Mars’ windblown sand dunes, which may hold clues to the planet’s past and present and help pave the way for more exploration of Earth’s closest neighbor. But it wasn’t just her passion for science that earned her the Graduate Research Fellowship Program award—her commitment to improving inclusivity and accessibility in STEM fields, particularly making field research accessible to people with disabilities, is an important part of her work.

The NAU Review — Celebrating Asian and Pacific Islander heritage, Living Library inspires empathy, protection from Earth’s microbes and easy DIY

by Community Contributor • April 4, 2023 • Comments Off

Celebrating Asian and Pacific Islander heritage
Join the NAU community in celebrating API Heritage Month! Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is typically celebrated in May to commemorate the achievements and contributions of people of Asian and Pacific Islander descent in the United States. However, in order to students a chance to participate, NAU celebrates API Heritage Month during the month of April. Learn about different cultures, try new foods and enjoy traditional dances and songs. Join the festivities, gain a cultural understanding and show your support for the vibrant API community!

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — Save the Date: BioScience Roadmap Update

by Community Contributor • March 30, 2023 • Comments Off

As the Bioscience Roadmap enters its third decade, we hope you will join us next month for the annual update on the growth and progress of Arizona’s bioscience sector.

The Flinn Foundation, which originally commissioned this long-term strategic plan more than two decades ago, will be hosting the free Zoom session from 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 19. You can register to attend HERE.

The event will feature presentations by Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego and Tucson Mayor Regina Romero on the capacity of municipalities to drive growth in this sector.

The NAU Review — Earth’s temperature, drool-worthy spring rolls, cooking for college and Notes from the President

by Community Contributor • February 16, 2023 • Comments Off

A new review of available climate information from the last 12,000 years takes on an as-yet-unresolved question: whether global average temperature rose for thousands of years before the Industrial Revolution, or whether temperatures peaked around 6,500 years ago and then cooled until global warming reversed the cooling trend 150 years ago. The first option is favored by climate models and the second by paleoenvironmental evidence. The review, led by Regents’ professor Darrell Kaufman and recently published in Nature, reached a likely answer to that question while also highlighting areas of uncertainty in the data and modeling that need to be addressed to ensure climate scientists and global decision-makers are working with the most accurate picture possible.

The NAU Review — A graduate’s journey, affordable and fun holiday craft, playing to learn with Brian Stone

by Community Contributor • December 13, 2022 • Comments Off

When life throws you unexpected challenges, the only way forward is through. Graduate student Altoveda Tortice has embodied this moral throughout her master’s program while working full-time, raising a family and dealing with loss. Tortice first graduated from NAU in 2007 with a degree in psychology. Now, 13 years later, she’s ready to graduate again, this time with a degree in human relations and a goal of helping other students reach their educational goals.

The NAU Review — Engineering an escape, soil microbes—friend or foe?, how alumni are helping current Lumberjacks thrive

by Community Contributor • December 6, 2022 • Comments Off

Figuring out how to get out of an escape room can be stressful. Now imagine your challenge isn’t to get out of the escape room—it’s to build one, troubleshoot it and then make fixes on the fly when things break as people move through them. That’s what mechanical engineering student Valentin Gamez did alongside his compatriots in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. It was a great opportunity to put their engineering skills to good use as well as let the community have a good time. It also provided a rare opportunity for Gamez’s family to come from California and experience the work he did. Gamez graduates next week and starts his new job at Gore in 2023.

Flagstaff Festival of Science — In-School Science Talks: Connecting Students to Scientists

by Community Contributor • November 10, 2022 • Comments Off

Research has shown that people often have stereotypical views of what a scientist looks like and what they do. For many people, especially young people this view is of a “mad scientist” with wild eyes, white hair sticking up all over their heads, wearing a lab coat, and holding bubbling flasks. This person is also almost always male. In recent years projects like “I Am a Scientist” (https://www.iamascientist.info/) have been working to broaden people’s conceptions not only of what scientists look like, but also what they do.

Flagstaff Pulliam Airport Launches New Website

by Community Contributor • August 9, 2022 • Comments Off

Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG) is pleased to announce the launch of a new website with a modern design, increased functionality, and innovative features. The website flyflagstaffaz.com provides accessible resources for travelers and the community.

Commonly searched travel information such as flight tracking, parking details, and airline information is prominently featured along with community, pilot, and general aviation resources. Content is strategically located in an intuitive interface with a contemporary, clean layout.

Coconino County Leads Effort to Bring Starlink to Navajo Nation Students

by Community Contributor • July 29, 2022 • Comments Off

Coconino County has been leading the effort to bring high-speed broadband internet with SpaceX’s Starlink to students in grades K-12 on the Navajo Nation.

Coconino County began conversations with SpaceX when District 5 Supervisor Lena Fowler and Coconino County’s Chief Information Officer Matt Fowler both met with the company in 2019. This resulted in securing accounts for the county to utilize SpaceX beta technology to make internet accessible to rural areas of Northern Arizona. Coconino County successfully became an early customer, purchasing and launching Starlink beta internet in a 45-household trial on May 6, 2021.

The NAU Review — All aboard the flying telescope!

by Community Contributor • July 27, 2022 • Comments Off

View this email as a webpage. July 27, 2022 ⭐ A flight to the stars ⭐ Oriel Humes got an unforgettable view of Flagstaff recently, with Venus, the crescent moon, Jupiter and Mars gracing the night sky over the city.…

Flagstaff partners with APS to power city operations with 100% renewable electricity

by Community Contributor • July 18, 2022 • Comments Off

The City of Flagstaff is partnering with Arizona Public Service Co. (APS) to power city operations with 100% carbon-free electricity. The City is the first enrolled participant in APS’s newly launched Green Power Partners (GPP) program, which helps APS business customers accelerate their own sustainability goals and make a positive impact on the environment through renewable energy options. As a participant of GPP, the City of Flagstaff will make important progress to become carbon neutral and be ahead of schedule to meet its 2025 goal to use 100% renewable electricity for municipal operations.

“Our new partnership with APS is a testament to the City’s commitment to climate action and APS’s commitment to clean energy. We’re very excited that in securing 100% clean electricity for municipal operations, this partnership will allow Flagstaff to achieve one of the major milestones in our Carbon Neutrality Plan two years ahead of schedule,” says Mayor Paul Deasy.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up — July 11-15, 2022

by Community Contributor • July 15, 2022 • Comments Off

Project update-Grand Canyon school fiber project

Last month, Commnet completed a fiber optics project that will now bring improved high-speed capability and bandwidth to the Grand Canyon School from Williams. Now that Commnet has completed the fiber optic project servicing the school, the park is exploring ways to utilize the incoming improved telecommunications services for park administrative functions.

New NPS owned/operated telecommunications infrastructure may be installed, or additional telecommunications infrastructure owned and operated by a commercial entity could occur–which must be authorized through the Right-of-Way permitting process. A sub-group of park staff from the Telecommunications Inter-Disciplinary Team are meeting later this month to identify next steps for improving telecommunications capabilities for Grand Canyon.

We will keep park staff and our community informed of the progression of this project, as well as other future telecommunications updates.

Coconino County Honored as 2022 NACo Digital Counties Survey Winner

by Community Contributor • July 15, 2022 • Comments Off

Coconino County is pleased to share the exciting news that we have been recognized as one of the top counties in the United States for deploying digital technology practices for better government in the 2022 NACo Digital Counties Survey

The NAU Review — SOS: How to help your neighbors protect against flood damage, when forests reburn and the 2022 Dorrance Scholars cohort

by Community Contributor • June 29, 2022 • Comments Off

Our community is in desperate need of help as the monsoon season brings floods to neighborhoods below the burn scar. Homeowners in the affected areas, including some in our NAU community, need millions of sandbags to protect their property. Lumberjacks are encouraged to use their volunteer hours to fill sandbags—various filling stations are set up throughout the city and county. Consider taking a few hours over the coming days to fill sandbags with friends, coworkers, family and fellow community members. Check in with those who may be affected to see what you can do to help.

The NAU Review — Meet NAU’s Udall Scholar, explore archaeological research in the Grand Canyon and celebrate International Women in Engineering Day

by Community Contributor • June 22, 2022 • Comments Off

Senior wins Udall Undergraduate Scholarship

Beyoncé Bahe took advantage of every opportunity she could when she got to NAU—undergraduate research, studying abroad, being a peer mentor, the Honors College. She’s picked up a couple of prestigious national honors along the way, including her latest accomplishment—the Udall Undergraduate Scholarship, which recognizes students preparing for careers in the environment, tribal public policy or Native health care.

The NAU Review — Meet NAU’s 2022 Flinn Scholars, celebrate Juneteenth and learn about astronomical diversity

by Community Contributor • June 15, 2022 • Comments Off

NAU welcoming two new Flinn Scholars

Emily Delabarra and Kaya Dickson will join the other Flinn Scholars on campus, giving NAU a record six scholars. This prestigious scholarship, which has an acceptance rate of less than 2 percent, offers funding for four years of school as well as mentoring and study abroad opportunities.

Solar co-op launches for Northern Arizona residents to go solar together

by Community Contributor • May 18, 2022 • Comments Off

Second co-op in the region launches following the state’s most successful co-op Local city, county officials throw support behind project. Information meeting set for Tuesday, May 24.

FLAGSTAFF — The Cities of Flagstaff and Sedona, and Coconino County have partnered with nonprofit group Solar United Neighbors (SUN) to launch the second Northern Arizona Co-op. The co-op will help residents go solar.

This co-op follows the launch of the first Northern Arizona Co-op in 2021. That group reached 225 member households and is Solar United Neighbors’ most successful co-op in Arizona to date. The second Northern Arizona Co-op provides a new opportunity for residents to take advantage of the area’s plentiful sunshine.

“The City of Flagstaff is making great strides to uphold our commitment to reach carbon neutrality by 2030, but we know that we can’t do it alone,” said Flagstaff Vice Mayor Miranda Sweet. “The solar co-op represents the ‘what’s possible’ when we work together to create solutions, collectively.

The NAU Review — Introducing Access2Excellence, a new cybersecurity partnership and a career in wildlife ecology for Nicaraguan grad

by Community Contributor • April 28, 2022 • Comments Off

President José Luis Cruz Rivera announced today that, starting in Fall 2023, NAU will provide tuition-free college education for Arizona residents with household incomes at or below $65,000. This new Access2Excellence initiative reflects the urgent need to broaden participation and increase educational attainment in Arizona, helping students gain the knowledge and skills needed to participate in the state’s booming economy.

The NAU Review — Who wants to be a park ranger? What’s weird about quantum computing? Who appreciates bats?

by Community Contributor • April 19, 2022 • Comments Off

NAU’s soon-to-be Ranger James

James Jensen received a bachelor’s in political science, then quickly got a sales job that left him feeling unsatisfied and unfulfilled. After spending a week last summer backpacking through Glacier National Park, he decided it was time for a change; he wanted to pursue something he truly enjoyed—the outdoors. Northern Arizona University’s accelerated Park Ranger Training Program is one of only six in the country. In just 16 short weeks, students earn a certificate that opens the metaphorical door to working in state and national parks throughout the U.S. This week, Jensen and his cohort will graduate. Thanks to this program, he will soon get to work his dream job in his favorite place on Earth.

The NAU Review — Honoring the Gold Axe, President’s Prize and Distinguished Seniors, a statewide attack on Valley fever and how NAU promotes volunteerism

by Community Contributor • April 14, 2022 • Comments Off

President Cruz Rivera honored 48 Gold Axe winners, five President’s Prize recipients and nine Distinguished Seniors for their hard work and commitment to their educations and their careers at NAU. “These students have shown incredible resilience and determination to arrive at this point in their academic and personal journeys, and they all have achieved a tremendous amount to excel in their studies and give back in such meaningful ways,” he told the crowd on Tuesday night. The recipients of the President’s Prize, which is the highest award for undergraduates at NAU, are Maylee Acosta, Matthew Billings, Clarreese Greene, Ariana Kelley and Rachell Krell.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — BioScience Roadmap Update Coming Next Week

by Community Contributor • April 14, 2022 • Comments Off

This year the Bioscience Roadmap turns 20 and we hope you will join us next week and attend a special virtual event that will focus on how far we’ve come – with an overview of what still needs to be done – to make our state a national leader in this sector by 2025.

The Flinn Foundation, which originally commissioned this long-term strategic plan two decades ago, will be hosting the free Zoom session from 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 20. You can register to attend HERE.

The event will feature a presentation by Mitch Horowitz and Ryan Helwig, principals of TEConomy Partners, who will reveal new performance metrics, including comparisons to 20 years ago when the Roadmap was launched.

Flagstaff Festival of Science — It’s not too late to make a difference! Help us reach our goal!

by Community Contributor • April 14, 2022 • Comments Off

This is your opportunity to make a difference with the Flagstaff Festival of Science! Your ongoing support as a meaningful friend to the Festival has helped us develop compelling and powerful events each year! This year, our keynote speaker will bring the fascinating world of pharaohs and Egyptian gods, right here to our mountain town!

Dr. Zahi Hawass, world renowned Egyptologist and presenter, typically charges $50- $150 for ticketed events, but here in Flagstaff audiences can attend for FREE as we promise to make science accessible to all! But we need the help of our donors today, to make a difference in science education!

The Festival has a goal to raise $3,000 in this campaign!

(We are one third of the way there with one day to go!)

The NAU Review — Giving Day, volunteers needed to minimize food waste and the Undergraduate Expo

by Community Contributor • April 12, 2022 • Comments Off

Support what you love on NAU Giving Day

Give, show your pride and share your love for NAU alongside Lumberjacks throughout the world on Giving Day, our annual celebration of everything that makes NAU great. On Wednesday, wherever you are, don your True Blue and Gold, break out your LJs and donate to your favorite fund. Unsure of where to give? Take the NAU Giving Day online quiz and find the perfect fund to make an impact.

The NAU Review — Strokes, Alzheimer’s disease and NAU’s student service day

by Community Contributor • April 7, 2022 • Comments Off

A new study, co-authored by Pamela Bosch, Indrakshi Roy and Amit Kumar, found that people with lower socioeconomic status and people from ethnic minority populations have a greater likelihood of severe stroke than white Americans or those of a higher socioeconomic status. But it’s not just that—those groups also are more likely to have a more severe stroke incident at the time they are admitted to the hospital.

Imma Barrera Named Next Grand Canyon Astronomer in Residence

by Community Contributor • April 1, 2022 • Comments Off

Grand Canyon Conservancy (GCC) and Grand Canyon National Park are proud to announce the selection of the next Grand Canyon Astronomer in Residence, biologist, landscape and nature photographer, and conservationist Imma Barrera. She will live and work at the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, with visits to the North Rim and Tuweep, from April 28 to May 23, 2022.

Barrera’s current project, “Under the Night Sky,” involves raising awareness about the importance of protecting the night sky by presenting different features of select National Parks in the format of a published book, combining photography and nature education and illustrating the efforts these parks have undertaken as part of their mission to preserve the environment. Barrera’s goal is to capture those inspiring landscapes under the night sky.

The NAU Review — The future of stroke treatment, NAUPD in a minute and how you can watch the 3MRP finals

by Community Contributor • March 30, 2022 • Comments Off

Advances in stroke treatment aren’t just coming from medicine—they’re coming from engineering too. Mechanical engineering student Josette Vigil is spending her career at NAU working on stroke research, including material testing of 3D printed polymers and tissues and algorithm development to define the volume and dimensions of an aneurysm. For stroke patients, this work could be life-changing—or even life-saving. Vigil, who works in associate professor Tim Becker’s Bioengineering Devices Lab, is sharing her work publicly this semester at NAU’s Undergraduate Symposium on April 22.

The NAU Review — Doctoral student honored, National Cocktail Day and Oscar predictions

by Community Contributor • March 25, 2022 • Comments Off

Throughout her education and career, Melissa Wheeler was used to being the sole Indigenous person in a room, or one of a few. She’d never had a Native American professor. That’s no longer the case for Wheeler, a doctoral student in the counseling/school psychology education program, as she has helped open doors to others by bringing her work to them. In recognition of her commitment to culturally centered work, Wheeler was named to the second cohort of Rising Graduate Scholars from Diverse: Issues in Higher Education. She was one of only 10 students nationwide to receive this honor.

The NAU Review — What is happening to Earth’s forests?, Straw wars and Notes from the President

by Community Contributor • February 24, 2022 • Comments Off

The boreal forest is a belt of cold-tolerant conifer trees that stretches nearly 9,000 miles across northern North America and Eurasia; it makes up almost a quarter of the Earth’s forest area. It’s also the coldest—and most rapidly warming—forest biome on the planet, and its shifting characteristics amid climate change are raising concerns about increased fire activity, decreased biodiversity and other long-term adverse effects for human and natural ecosystems.

Flagstaff Festival Science — Local Science Spotlight: Dr. Joe Busch, Population Geneticist

by Community Contributor • February 18, 2022 • Comments Off

Unveiling the secret lives of ticks, Dr. Joe Busch leads us through fascinating research in population genetics. Joe, a Senior Research Scientist at the Pathogen & Microbiome Institute (PMI) at Northern Arizona University, studies Cattle Fever ticks. These ticks pose a major threat to food security in the United States, and Joe uses DNA fingerprinting markers to track tick movements and look for the spread of certain genetic groups.

The NAU Review — What’s killing our aspens, the importance of being kind and our favorite dwarf planet

by Community Contributor • February 17, 2022 • Comments Off

What happens when an invasive insect starts killing Flagstaff’s fall staple and, more importantly, how can we stop it? These are questions a team of School of Forestry professors and graduate students are asking alongside the U.S. Forest Service as a plague of sap-sucking insects threatens northern Arizona’s aspens.

The NAU Review — ‘For the love of STEM’ and more news

by Community Contributor • January 27, 2022 • Comments Off

Is kindergarten too young for students to get excited about STEM? No way, says assistant professor Morgan Vigil-Hayes, who is partnering with FUSD to develop a curriculum to get K-5 Native American students doing fun learning activities that focus on math and computational thinking.

Findlay receives 2021 Distinguished Service Award from CCC

by Community Contributor • January 26, 2022 • Comments Off

Despite a global pandemic, he and his staff were instrumental in getting Coconino Community College’s Automotive Technician program running.

That’s why Robby Findlay, director of operations for the Findlay Automotive Group, has been selected as the 2021 recipient of the prestigious Distinguished Service Award at CCC.

“What an unbelievable honor,” he said. “I know how much the college has done for the community, and it’s such an honor CCC is commending me and our auto group.”

The NAU Review — The 10 most read stories of Fall 2021

by Community Contributor • January 11, 2022 • Comments Off

The Fall 2021 semester was a big one for NAU—it brought new leadership, a return to fully in-person activities, another national championship and a new look to the university newsletter. Reread some of our most popular stories from the semester and share your news with us to help us start the new year strong.

Flagstaff City-Coconino County Public Library announces January 2022 Library Technology Instruction and Resume Help Calendar

by Community Contributor • January 2, 2022 • Comments Off

In January, we have appointments available on four Saturdays at the East Flagstaff Community Library.

Feb. 9 — Coconino County to Host Utility Scale Renewable Energy Ordinance Open House

by Community Contributor • January 1, 2022 • Comments Off

The public is invited to attend a virtual open house on the Utility Scale Renewable Energy Ordinance (REO) Draft on Wednesday, February 9, 2022, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The draft ordinance will be available for review and comment on the open house site beginning February 9 through February 16, 2022.

Nov. 9 — City hosts series of free home energy efficiency workshops

by Community Contributor • January 1, 2022 • Comments Off

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz — The City of Flagstaff will host a series of in-person home energy efficiency workshops this winter, with the first workshop scheduled for Wednesday, November 9. Each workshop will provide a quick one-hour demonstration and discussion to help…

The NAU Review — Getting to know grads, Notes from the President, School of Music gets the Kitts’ name and Diné educators

by Community Contributor • December 16, 2021 • Comments Off

For the last two years, Laurel Malm, the first graduate of a joint program between nursing and ROTC, was on the front lines of health care, working in the COVID ward at Flagstaff Medical Center. Now she’ll take that experience with her into the Army, applying the leadership lessons she learned from ROTC and the need for flexibility, collaboration and focus she’s learned in nursing school.

Was there a 2021 Festival of Science Event you missed? Don’t Worry! We have a YouTube Channel!

by Community Contributor • October 18, 2021 • Comments Off

With nearly 100 free and exciting events this year in the Festival of Science, it can be hard to make it to all of the ones you want to go to! But, don’t let this stop you from engaging in the Flagstaff science community all year round, and catching up on the events you missed.

The Flagstaff Festival of Science has a YouTube Channel!

The NAU Review — Celebrating Disability Pride and Heritage Month, Flagstaff Star Party and Notes from the President

by Community Contributor • September 30, 2021 • Comments Off

Nearly one in five individuals in the U.S. identifies as having a disability, and it is important to recognize the experiences of those people. Throughout the month of October, NAU is celebrating Disability Pride and Heritage Month. NAU’s Commission on Disability Access and Design will host events that focus on inclusivity like the accessibility scavenger hunt and sitting volleyball, along with accessibility design workshops and others, all of which are free and open to the public.

Dean Regas Named Next Grand Canyon Astronomer in Residence

by Community Contributor • September 9, 2021 • Comments Off

Grand Canyon Conservancy (GCC) and Grand Canyon National Park are proud to announce the selection of the second Grand Canyon Astronomer in Residence, renowned educator, author, and astronomy expert, Dean Regas. He will live and work at the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park from November 16 to December 8, 2021.

Regas has been the astronomer for the Cincinnati Observatory since 2000 and was co-host of the PBS program “Star Gazers” from 2010 to 2019. He is the author of the books “Facts from Space” and “100 things to See in the Night Sky,” and is a contributing editor to Sky and Telescope Magazine and a contributor to Astronomy Magazine, from which he won the 2008 “Out-of-this-World” Award for astronomy education.

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — 2021 Flagstaff Festival of Science offers a ‘Passport’ to a variety of adventures for youth from Sept. 17 through 26

by Community Contributor • September 8, 2021 • Comments Off

FLAGSTAFF — From “En Plein Air in Flagstaff’s Open Spaces: Stories in Stone,” at Buffalo Park on Sept. 17, to the return of the “Science in the Park” on Sept. 18 and the “Flagstaff Star Party” at Buffalo Park on Sept. 30, the 2021 Flagstaff Festival of Science (Sept. 17-26) provides families with a variety of events to choose from.

Click here to view the entire 2021 Flagstaff Festival of Science Passport schedule.

The festival kicks off with the 2021 Keynote presentation — “When Stones Speak: Decoding the Messages Embedded in Ancient Maya Monuments” with Dr. Jaime Awe at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 17. Doors open at 6 p.m.

During the presentation, Dr. Awe will illuminate the Maya culture for audiences at Ardrey Auditorium, Northern Arizona University.

Full program of events to include Science in the Park, presentations, workshops, guided tours all taking place Sept. 17-26. With many programs led by outstanding Flagstaff scientists, Festival-goers will also have the opportunity to learn about other ancient cultures in this year’s archeological-themed festival.

Flagstaff City Council to discuss draft Carbon Neutrality Plan

by Community Contributor • May 19, 2021 • Comments Off

On June 23, 2020, the Flagstaff City Council declared a Climate Emergency. The Declaration commits Flagstaff to achieving community-wide carbon neutrality by 2030, to respond to the climate emergency and improve quality of life for all residents. With input from the Flagstaff community and technical experts, the city of Flagstaff developed a draft a plan that outlines a framework for action over the next nine years. This plan details seven target areas of action that the city will take to reach carbon neutrality:

Bilingual report — Applications open for DES Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) Program

by Community Contributor • May 7, 2021 • Comments Off

The Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) is an FCC program to help families and households struggling to afford internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. This new benefit will connect eligible households to jobs, critical healthcare services, virtual classrooms, DES Services, and so much more.

The DES Office of Community Engagement would like to share with you information about this program. The EBB program opens on May 12, 2021 for eligible individuals and households to enroll. Below is additional information and the link to the Toolkit.

Flagstaff & Williams Justice Court Pilots New Online System

by Community Contributor • May 5, 2021 • Comments Off

Among the many consequences of COVID-19 are its effects on the criminal justice system, including the safety of participants who appear in court.

Flagstaff and Williams Justice Courts are piloting a procedure that allows criminal defendants the opportunity and choice to appear by remote online methods while still being aware of all their legal rights and protections along the way.

STEM City will host virtual STEM nights beginning May 3

by Community Contributor • April 27, 2021 • Comments Off

STEM City will be hosting virtual STEM nights beginning on Monday, May 3rd with community partner organizations via the groups’ Facebook page, FlagstaffSTEMCity. Participating organizations are creating science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematic video presentations highlighting their work in the greater Flagstaff community. The resources will also be made available to area educators as classroom materials to enhance learning opportunities in area schools.

“Unfortunately, we will not be hosting this event in-person this year,” shared STEM City President Mike Thomas. “We are excited to continue forward with the spirit of this event in a different format, continuing to celebrate STEM in this community, and offer learning opportunities to all that participate.”

New Preliminary Flood Maps Issued for Kachina Village/Mountainaire Area

by Community Contributor • April 16, 2021 • Comments Off

Coconino County announced today that updated, digital flood hazard maps for the Kachina Village and Mountainaire areas are available for public review and comment.

The maps, known as Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), show the extent to which areas recently re-mapped in Kachina Village and Mountainaire are at risk for flooding. Used to help determine flood insurance and building requirements, the new flood maps replace maps that were based on studies more than 25 years old.

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