The Wait is Over!
At long last,
the schedule for
the Best 10 Days of the Year is here!
From learning about our elections center to checking out cool cars,
exploring our amazing Earth to marveling at the vastness of outer space,
creating science-inspired art to racing robots—
there’s something for everyone to discover!
Start planning your very own science adventure by
exploring the schedule for the
2026 Flagstaff Festival of Science
or downloading our app.
COCONINO COUNTY — Coconino County has received national recognition for its commitment to innovation, technology and excellence in public service, earning six prestigious awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) and the Center for Digital Government.
The NACo Achievement Awards honor innovative county government programs that strengthen services, improve operations and enhance residents’ quality of life. Coconino County received recognition in five different areas including: Pipeline Post-Wildfire Flood Mitigation, Dragon Bravo-White Sage Fires Long-Term Recovery Plan, Criminal Justice Coordinating Council’s Justice Bus, Citizens Academy and Children of Incarcerated Parents Activity Book.
FLAGSTAFF – – The City recognizes that data centers are a topic of significant interest for Flagstaff residents. City staff have been actively evaluating ways to safeguard the community by addressing possible impacts associated with data centers, including water use, energy demand, and other critical resources.
During the May 5 Public Hearing on data centers, staff provided the City Council with an update on a potential zoning code text amendment related to data centers. Given the importance of the issue, staff requested additional time to conduct broader public outreach and allow for more extensive community input. This additional time will also be used to further research available options. Staff will return to both the Planning and Zoning Commission and the City Council at a future date to share community feedback and receive further direction.
Last week, 11 graduate students stood in front of an audience and shared their research. That’s par for the course for any researcher. What was different this time? They had only three minutes and one slide to sum up months, or even years, of research. See what students have worked on during their careers at NAU and which students walked away with a cash prize.
Targeting cost hurdles in forest restoration
As the West faces increasingly destructive wildfires, land managers rely on mechanical thinning to reduce hazardous fuels and restore forest health. But one obstacle continues to slow this work down: Thinning costs are notoriously difficult to estimate from one project to the next. A new study from ERI aims to address the uncertainty around those numbers and the concerns that outdated cost estimates may be holding critical restoration projects back.
When NASA turns to an NAU geologist
Kristen Bennett, NAU’s newest planetary scientist, is one of just 10 scientists selected by NASA to lend her expertise on the first crewed mission to the Moon since the 1970s. When astronauts on the Artemis IV mission land on the Moon and venture out onto its surface, that’s where Bennett and her colleagues come in: “We’ll help them figure out which direction to walk, which rocks to take as samples and how many to take,” she said.
Red wigglers are quietly burrowing through yesterday’s leftovers, turning scraps into something richer than waste. Learn how NAU is benefiting from vermicomposting, reducing landfill waste and helping the environment in an efficient, odor-free and space-friendly way.
Action Alert
F3 encourages you to submit your written comments to the Planning and Zoning Commission at CDPandZCommission@flagstaffaz.gov or make verbal comments in person to the Planning and Zoning Commission at their meeting starting at 4:00 on Wednesday, March 25 at the City Hall Council Chambers. More information and F3’s position are detailed below.
Data Centers
City staff recently identified that Flagstaff currently doesn’t have the regulatory framework to address land use by data centers should such a request be received in the future. The City of Flagstaff has not received any requests for data centers to date.
Shaping the world one sound at a time
Jordan Strohmeyer is exploring how audio shapes our world. Through the Lumberjacks Thrive Externship program, he has made connections and gained an inside look at what the industry he wants to explore after graduation is like, finding inspiration at the intersection of art and science.
Introducing the Maria and Steve Sanghi
College of Nursing
NAU announced today that it has named its College of Nursing the Maria and Steve Sanghi College of Nursing in recognition of a recent gift from the longtime NAU supporters. The investment will strengthen nursing education, expand student and faculty support and help address Arizona’s critical nursing workforce shortage.
COCONINO COUNTY — The Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program in Arizona has achieved a funding milestone, marking a major step forward in closing the digital divide and expanding high-speed internet access for residents, businesses and community agencies.
Predicting the fate of tropical forests via (rainforest) tea leaves
Researchers at Northern Arizona University and the Smithsonian went to the top of a Panamanian rainforest to simulate heat death in leaves and measure the effects on surrounding leaves. The results were encouraging: Tropical forests may be less sensitive to climate change than originally feared.
FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff is now accepting applications from community members who are interested in serving on the City’s Technology Privacy Task Force. This 10-member task force will be responsible for reviewing the City’s current technology policies, examining proposals for new technology, and providing critical input and recommendations. This work will help shape the rules that govern how the City collects, uses, and protects resident data.
FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff is now accepting applications from community members who are interested in serving on the City’s Technology Privacy Task Force. This 10-member task force will be responsible for reviewing the City’s current technology policies, examining proposals for new technology, and providing critical input and recommendations. This work will help shape the rules that govern how the City collects, uses, and protects resident data.
NAU students built a camera. It’s going to Mars.
Four cameras built by students and faculty at Northern Arizona University will soon launch into deep space on a dual spacecraft bound for Mars. Two traditional cameras and two infrared cameras, designed and constructed by 35 NAU students over the course of three semesters, will capture images from the research mission ESCAPADE.
DYK you can watch the launch? Check back this weekend for a link to the livestream and the schedule.
For National STEM Day on Nov. 8, hear from four students in each of the four areas—science, technology, math and engineering—about what drew them to their majors and what they hope to do once they enter the workforce.
In 1976, Lumberjack William Alger was two classes away from graduating from NAU when an acceptance to pharmacy school whisked him away to California. The retired health executive, who first earned his doctorate then master’s, always vowed to return and finish his bachelor’s degree. Fifty-two years later, he’s finally ready to cross that commencement stage with the Lumberjack Class of 2025.
The science behind every bite
The 36th Flagstaff Festival of Science promises to be a tasty treat. This year’s theme is Harvesting Knowledge, with talks, workshops, tours and other experiences uncovering traditional food science and its relevance to the environment, community health and culture. Here’s a list of some of the events at NAU.
Gov. Katie Hobbs, an NAU social work graduate, met with NAU leaders to discuss how the university is confronting the state’s healthcare worker shortage through academic programs, research projects and infrastructure improvements.
Date: Friday, August 15
Time: 10 – 11:30AM
FREE: Registration required
Start your morning with fresh coffee and fresh ideas at Coffee with Digitals.
Coffee with Digitals is a casual gathering that celebrates the vibrant intersection of art and technology. Hosted by Chris Johnson, Professor of Visual Communication at NAU, this monthly meetup invites artists, educators, and community members to connect around emerging digital practices—from animation and AR to AI and 3D modeling.
This month, Chris is joined by special guest James Peters, an Emmy Award–winning animation artist with nearly 30 years of experience. James has worked on iconic series such as Rugrats, The Wild Thornberrys, Futurama, and Rick and Morty, and has contributed to both Marvel and DC animated properties, including Young Justice—a show that redefined the standards of studio animation.
Armed with sketchbooks, theory and a healthy dose of curiosity, a group of NAU students set out across the Alpine region—not just to admire the landscape, but also to decode the invisible forces that have shaped art in the area for centuries.
“Technology touches everyone’s lives, shaping how we connect, work, learn, and experience the world every day. One of our key focus areas is digital transformation. Having instant access to information online, rather than driving hours for an in-person meeting, has been widely embraced by the public,” commented Matt Fowler, Coconino County Chief Information Officer. “We have an amazing team and to place in the Top 10, six years in a row, demonstrates the passion and dedication our staff provides our communities.”
Robotic exoskeletons are the future of helping people with certain disabilities perform daily tasks, but they can be prohibitively difficult and expensive to develop. Mechanical engineering associate professor Zach Lerner, whose research has focused on developing this technology, led a team that created OpenExo, an open-source exoskeleton framework, which will open doors for researchers globally to help speed up life-changing robotic discoveries. Want to see the exoskeletons at work? Check out this video from NAU-TV.
Read the story
High notes and cool vibes abound at the annual Flagstaff Piano Festival. This year’s weeklong experience will bring together celebrated artists, young pianists, educators and music lovers between June 21-28.
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 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:
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.
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 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.
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.
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
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?
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
‘¡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.”
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.
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.
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
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
• 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
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.
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 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.
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 — 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.
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.
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.
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.
