Category: Technology

The NAU Review — Hopping through cloud forests + where’s the AI in your classroom?

by Community Contributor • June 4, 2025 • Comments Off

How are you using GenAI?

NAU is integrating generative AI into its educational programs through innovative projects funded by the Office of the Provost’s TRAIL grants. These initiatives include using AI-enhanced ultrasound in physical therapy classes, AI tools in business analytics and AI-generated conversations with historical conservationists in environmental courses. The goal is to enhance learning experiences and better prepare students for a tech-driven future. (Editor’s note: Could you tell this summary was written by AI?)
Read the story

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: April 14-18, 2025

by Community Contributor • April 18, 2025 • Comments Off

Grand Canyon National Park Night Sky Programming – 2025 Season Kickoff!

We’re excited to kick off our 2025 night sky programming season at Grand Canyon National Park! Join us for our first stargazing event on Friday, April 18 at 8 p.m. at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center.

These programs celebrate the park’s stunning dark skies and offer a chance to learn more about the cosmos through ranger talks, telescope viewing, and celestial storytelling. Events will be held throughout the week—not just on weekends—now through the end of the year. Topics, times, and locations may vary.

To stay up to date on upcoming night sky events, scan the QR-code flyer posted in park buildings or visit our webpage directly:

Flagstaff STEM City — Summer Camps, Jobs, and A Science Adventure!

by Community Contributor • April 18, 2025 • Comments Off

Celebrate innovation and imagination at our annual STEM Celebration & Lunar Legacy Robotics Invitational from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 26, 2025 at Fort Tuthill.

Coconino County District 5 Supervisor Lena Fowler — Virtual Navajo Nation Broadband Deployment & Implementation Meeting to be held on March 12

by Community Contributor • March 3, 2025 • Comments Off

We are pleased to share the latest information from the Navajo Nation Broadband Office about the upcoming Navajo Nation Broadband Deployment and Implementation Meeting. This meeting is scheduled for March 12, 2025, in Tse Bonito, NM. In-person and virtual attendance options will be available to ensure full accessibility for all participants.

The NAU Review — Meet the influencers of the Cretaceous Era + making an impact at Meteor Crater

by Community Contributor • February 18, 2025 • Comments Off

The original Cretaceous influencer

Just how much did dinosaurs 65 million years ago affect the Earth as we know it? A lot, and NAU researchers just discovered one more way. New research led by ecoinformatics professor Chris Doughty shows that the evolution of fruit—and the evolution of fruit-eating primates, the early ancestors of humans—was influenced by the “ecosystem engineering” of large sauropods.

The NAU Review — Make some V-Day plans, Humans of NAU: Lenin Salcedo

by Community Contributor • February 11, 2025 • Comments Off

Honors College student Lenin Salcedo has an unusual capstone project planned. Inspired by his childhood in the Caribbean and his love of physics, the project will take the form of a performance that explores how sounds tether us to each other and to the universe. Salcedo promises you won’t need to know anything about physics or music theory to understand and enjoy it. Read on to find out more about the project, Salcedo’s upbringing and his dreams for the future.

What brought you to NAU?
I was initially attracted to NAU’s strong physics department, but I fell in love with the intimate learning environment and vibrant community. Especially in Honors, the classroom has felt like a dynamic place where I can creatively think and connect with diverse people. Flagstaff has also become a second home, bringing me out of my comfort zone and forcing me to explore.

Workshop ‘How to Build a Successful Content Strategy’ to be held on Feb. 4 at Murdoch Community Center, Flagstaff

by Community Contributor • January 29, 2025 • Comments Off

Presented by Mariah Zavala – Mountain Mojo Group, the workshop includes in depth discussions on:

Mission and Vision Statements

Goal Setting

Key Performance Indicators

Personas, Messaging Tone and Cadence

Flagstaff STEM CITY — Make Your Nomination for the STEMMY Awards!

by Community Contributor • January 27, 2025 • Comments Off

The STEMMY Awards recognize the stellar contributions of STEM leaders and educators publicly at the STEMMY Award Ceremony on Thursday, March 6th!

Presented by STEM City in Flagstaff Arizona, the event awards students, teachers, businesses, and community organizations to honor and celebrate their impact as STEM leaders, educators, and innovators here in Flagstaff.

Seeking nominations by Feb. 14! Do you know of someone who has made a real difference in the STEM sector?

Board of Supervisors Reappoints Deborah Harris and Khara House to African Diaspora Advisory Council

by Community Contributor • January 24, 2025 • Comments Off

her community for many years, most recently serving two years on City Council. Her other contributions include assisting in developing the Southside Neighborhood Plan and securing a grant to establish the Murdoch Community Center as one of three Resilience Hubs in the City. She is also a founding member of ADAC, having served consistently on the Council since its creation in 2002.

Khara House was appointed to the Flagstaff City Council in May 2022, and elected to a four-year term that year. After teaching at Northern Arizona University, she began a career in multifamily housing in 2013. Her passion for service and community engagement has led to membership with NAACP Flagstaff, the Southside Community Association, NAMI Flagstaff, Flagstaff Young Professionals, and several other community and service organizations. She currently serves as Chairperson of ADAC.

Flagstaff Sustainability Office announces 2024 Sustainability Grant recipients

by Community Contributor • January 22, 2025 • Comments Off

The Neighborhood Sustainability Grant is a competitive grant program that funds up to $7,500 for community projects related to food, waste, climate action, resilience, building energy, public health, and transportation.

“We can’t wait to see these community-led projects come to life each year! We want to applaud these awardees for their vision for a more sustainable Flagstaff,” said Mayor Becky Daggett.

The NAU Review — It’s time to brag about your coworkers! Plus, relive MLK Day + Diné musician Ravon Chacon comes to campus

by Community Contributor • January 21, 2025 • Comments Off

Building bridges, celebrating community

Martin Luther King Jr. dreamed of a United States strengthened by unity, collaboration and inclusivity. On Monday, NAU honored King’s legacy with a campus event focused on all three of those themes. Lumberjacks and Flagstaff residents came together to march in King’s honor, make posters celebrating his inspiring leadership and hear from keynote speaker Tony Ross, a Lumberjack doctoral grad and higher education consultant based in Phoenix. Unity and collaboration was the day’s secret sauce: Multiple NAU offices, student clubs and community organizations came together to make it happen.

Flagstaff STEM City — We’ve Got a Brand-New Look!

by Community Contributor • January 21, 2025 • Comments Off

Here at Flagstaff STEM City, we are dedicated to elevating people and place through Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). With this mission in mind, we’ve redesigned our website to better reflect who we are and the collaborative spirit that drives everything we do.

Ready to explore?

The NAU Review — The extinction risk facing freshwater animals + NAU’s days are back!

by Community Contributor • January 14, 2025 • Comments Off

The results of a new study, published this week and coauthored by an NAU conservation biologist, are sobering: One-quarter of freshwater animals are at risk of extinction, including fish, shrimps and insects. Learn what this means for these ecosystems, including the unique risks in the Southwest, and what governments and industry leaders can do with these data to protect critical species and ecosystems.

Flagstaff STEM City — Congratulations to Citizen of the Year, Sylvia Johnson

by Community Contributor • December 31, 2024 • Comments Off

This recognition celebrates her dedication to serving our community. Sylvia’s humble spirit and remarkable contributions have touched many lives, and we’re so proud to see her hard work acknowledged in this way.

Join us in celebrating Sylvia and her inspiring achievements!

Flagstaff Regional Plan 2045 – Comment by Dec. 19!

by Community Contributor • December 17, 2024 • Comments Off

The 60-day public review of the draft Flagstaff Regional Land Use Plan 2045 is ending on December 19! That means you have THREE DAYS to read, ask questions, and share your feedback on the draft contents. Visit bit.ly/RPpublicreview to learn more about the 60-day public review.

H5 Avian Influenza Detected in Wastewater in Coconino County

by Community Contributor • December 13, 2024 • Comments Off

COCONINO COUNTY — Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) has confirmed that H5 avian influenza has been detected in wastewater sampling. The specimens were collected at the Rio De Flag Water Reclamation Plant and the Wildcat Hill Water Reclamation Plant.

The source of the virus is suspected to be from chickens and wild birds, however other sources cannot be ruled out. There are no reports of human or animal H5 cases in Coconino County.

The NAU Review — Preparing a new generation of storytellers

by Community Contributor • November 19, 2024 • Comments Off

Every year, an Indigenous Youth Media Workshop at NAU gives high schoolers a chance to master multimedia broadcast journalism skills and hone their storytelling prowess. The free, immersive media production boot camp equips future Indigenous journalists with the skills they’ll need to raise awareness of the topics and issues that matter most to their communities. Watch this year’s cohort of teens work with NAU faculty to produce a high-quality newscast in just 11 days.

The NAU Review —Timber. Check out Flagstaff’s logging history, photos of NAU through the decades and our progress to carbon neutrality

by Community Contributor • October 15, 2024 • Comments Off

‘¡Presente!’ One person’s Hispanic heritage story

Assistant professor Marco Cabrera Geserick believes Hispanic/Latine Heritage Month is a time to remember that “we are here, we have been here, we will be here.”

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — Youth enjoy day of hands-on STEM activities at Flagstaff Festival of Science’s ‘Science in the Park’

by Community Contributor • September 25, 2024 • Comments Off

By the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth

FLAGSTAFF — From peering through telescopes to driving robotic vehicles and launching toy air rockets, hundreds of young people had the opportunity to learn about a variety of STEM activities at the annual Science in the Park event presented during the Flagstaff Festival of Science.

The event, which featured more than 50 vendor booths, was held Sept. 21, 2024 at Wheeler Park in downtown Flagstaff. Some of the organizations offering hands-on activities included the Coconino Astronomical Society, which presented a variety of telescopes and astronomy information; Coconino High School’s CocoNuts, which allowed young people to drive their robotic creations; and the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth, which offered youth the opportunity to launch stomp air rockets and learn about the space program. See more photos here.

The NAU Review — Celebrate scientific innovation in Flagstaff, bolstering knowledge of AI + check out this Zoom TED Talk series!

by Community Contributor • September 17, 2024 • Comments Off

Stargazing, day hikes, build-a-bot workshops and a search for *checks notes* Bigfoot? Sign us up! For 34 years running, the Flagstaff Festival of Science, presented in partnership with NAU, has delighted, amused and educated through free conversations, workshops, hikes and other unique explorations. Check out this year’s lineup of events and find out why festival leaders from NAU think you shouldn’t miss this annual celebration.

The NAU Review — Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month! + an exciting new degree program and research that changes what we know about brains

by Community Contributor • September 13, 2024 • Comments Off

Did you know Sept. 15 isn’t just the start of this annual celebration? It also marks the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries. Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days during this month at well. At NAU, it’s an important time of year.

“Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity to celebrate the rich cultural contributions and vibrant histories of the Hispanic/Latine community. By highlighting these events, we not only honor the diversity that strengthens our society, but also create space for dialogue, understanding and unity,” said Claudia Rodas, an associate clinical professor in the Department of Educational Specialties and HSI advisor to the provost. “It is through recognizing and embracing our shared heritage that we foster a more inclusive and compassionate world.”

The Office of Inclusion and other campus partners are holding a number of events to celebrate this month, starting with a cooking demonstration sponsored by Louie’s Cupboard on Friday. The entire NAU community is invited to find opportunities to participate.
See the list of events

CCC Community Education — Check out our October schedule!

by Community Contributor • September 13, 2024 • Comments Off

Cultivating Happiness: Practices for a Positive Mindset

Wednesday, Oct. 2, 9, 23, 30

5:15 to 7:45 p.m.

Explore and expand your authentic path to a richer, happier life. Dive into happiness science and learn practical methods to boost your well-being.

Happiness – Learn more and register!

Flagstaff Festival of Science — Reserve your keynote tickets!

by Community Contributor • August 29, 2024 • Comments Off

Reserve your FREE keynote tickets today. The W. L. Gore & Associates Keynote Presentation with Jana Eggers takes place Friday, September 20 at NAU’s Ardrey Auditorium.

Doors open at 6 p.m. followed by an exciting AI-inspired ballet performance at 6:30 p.m. with NAU Community Music and Dance Academy. The performance explores how artificial intelligence can enhance the creative process, and highlights the fusion of human artistry and technological innovation.

Kaibab National Forest considers new fiber optic line to support rural northern Arizona

by Community Contributor • July 31, 2024 • Comments Off

FREDONIA — The Kaibab National Forest (KNF) is considering authorization of a new fiber optic line between Fredonia and Jacob Lake, Arizona. The need for high-speed internet connections grows as new technologies require faster and higher-grade services. As such, the USDA Rural Utility Services Reconnect program helps rural utilities expand and keep their technology up to date by increasing bandwidth and communications capabilities. South Central Utah Telephone Association Inc. (a.k.a. SCUTA) is making high-speed internet affordable by participating in the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Affordable Connectivity Program and is proposing to install buried fiber optic line in rural northern Coconino County.

Coconino County Honored Again as 2024 NACo Digital Counties Survey Winner

by Community Contributor • July 18, 2024 • Comments Off

This is the fifth consecutive year the Coconino County Information Technology Department has placed in the Top 10 counties within the up to 150,000 population category. The County is being recognized for Aligned Leadership, Cybersecurity, Constituent Centric, Data Driven Government, IT Investments, Resilience, Continuous Innovation, Connected Infrastructure, and Business Process Alignment. Some of the accomplishment areas to highlight are the citizen assistance application known as SeeClickFix, Digital Transformation, IT Security, and evacuation map enhancements.

The NAU Review — Protecting northern Arizona’s forests, creating ceramics in one of the country’s largest wood-fired kilns and spotlighting Olympics-bound Lumberjacks

by Community Contributor • July 10, 2024 • Comments Off

In 1996, John Paul Roccaforte and his colleagues at NAU’s Ecological Research Institute embarked on an ambitious mission to study restoration across more than 5,000 acres of dense ponderosa pine forests in northern Arizona. After two decades of hands-on investigation, they successfully decreased the area’s tree density and vulnerability to wildfire—unlocking the key to revitalizing and protecting our beloved local ecosystem in an era when fires in the West burn hotter and bigger than ever.

The NAU Review — How NAU is revolutionizing stroke care, a quilt that symbolizes belonging and getting to know Zane Jacobs

by Community Contributor • June 12, 2024 • Comments Off

Is 100% survival after stroke achievable?

One bioengineer says yes. Tim Becker and a team of NAU students are designing groundbreaking medical devices with the goal of increasing survival rates—currently at 30-60%—for stroke patients. With a focus on reducing racial and gender disparities in health outcomes for stroke patients and creating adaptable, functional medical devices that can go from the lab to the surgical suite, the students are getting hands-on experience that is turning into inventions and job offers.

District 1 Supervisor Patrice Horstman — April/May Newsletter 2024

by Community Contributor • June 3, 2024 • Comments Off

• Hello From Supervisor Horstman
• Andy Bertelsen Appointed Next County
Manager
• 4FRI and Upper Rio de Flag Forest Restoration Update
• Flood Control District Receives $19.3 Federal
• PROTECT Grant for HWY 89
• Pinyon Uranium Mine Continues to Extract Ore
• County Designates Lake Mary Road as Recreation Corridor: Where the World Comes To Train
• Valle Arizona: An Innovative Community
ª Cheshire Community Gets Creative about Improving Street Safety
• BLM/AZ RAC Meeting on Proposed Recreation Fees at Arizona BLM Sites
• Western Interstate Conference in Yosemite Highlights Partnership and Responsible Land Management
• Northern Arizona Tradition Continues … Next generation of Moon-Bound Astronauts Train at Babbitt Ranches.
• Mount Elden Trailhead Re-Opens

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — Cultivating (and Funding) Entrepreneurs in Northern Arizona

by Community Contributor • May 31, 2024 • Comments Off

At the ECoNA Advisory Council meeting last week, we took a deep dive into programs dedicated to cultivating budding entrepreneurs in northern Arizona.

The initiatives range from a free entry-level program to help potential entrepreneurs determine if their innovative ideas could be commercialized, to loans and venture capital investments for early-stage businesses.

Cristy Salanga, Patent Manager at Northern Arizona University, discussed the National Science Foundation’s Innovation Corps (I-Corps) program, an immersive entry-level training program, which focuses on determining the potential customers of a business as well as the potential value proposition of a product or service.

The NAU Review — NAU wins: a hydropower competition, a research grant for studying desert birds and a fourth-straight track and field championship!

by Community Contributor • May 22, 2024 • Comments Off

NAU wins national hydropower competition

An interdisciplinary team of senior engineering students entered the U.S. Department of Energy’s Hydropower Collegiate Competition to fulfill their capstone requirements—and won. The team, made up of three electrical engineering students and three mechanical engineering students, took first place in all three of the competition’s challenges—siting, design and community connections—earning first overall for the competition.

The NAU Review — Water in space? Rocket science? It’s not science fiction—it’s what NAU students have been up to lately

by Community Contributor • May 7, 2024 • Comments Off

The where, why and how of water in space

Laura Lee, a Ph.D. student in astronomy and planetary science, is one of three graduate students to be selected for the Graduate Research Fellowship Program, a prestigious funding opportunity that supports students in STEM fields. Using a variety of techniques with instruments on Earth and in space, Lee is mapping water in the Solar System to better understand how and where this critical element is located on other celestial bodies. In addition to her groundbreaking research, Lee’s career goals include community education and promoting opportunities for women, people of color and first-generation students in planetary science.

The NAU Review — How NAU students are exploring Mars, Paul Keim on CNN, ideas to decorate your mortarboard

by Community Contributor • May 2, 2024 • Comments Off

Make sure your family and friends can see you from the stands and decorate your grad cap! For inspiration, see how students from all majors have decorated their mortarboards in recent years.

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.

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