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By Jenna Walenga Microplastics Program Manager  Abby Barrows presenting at the MICRO 2016 conference in Lanzarote, Spain. Photo: Chelsea Rochman Microplastics Principal Investigator, Abigail Barrows, was in Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain last week for Micro 2016. The international conference, hosted under the patronage of UNESCO, brought together leading researchers in the field of microplastic pollution to discuss their work and encourage collaboration.
By Karin Mullendorff Scat Adventure Scientist  The Cerro Castillo range, Patagonia. Photo: Karin Mullendorff Two summers ago I came across these lands for the first time. Created in the 1970’s to protect valuable forest resources, the Cerro Castillo National Reserve encompasses 180,000 hectares in the Aysen district of Chilean Patagonia. Its rugged terrain tells us a story of natural, geological, and vulcanological changes that make this area an incredible land for trekkers, skiers, and climbers. The latter was the reason for my second visit during last winter. I took advantage of the freezing cold temps and climbed several of the many frozen waterfalls that form in Portezuelo Ibañez.
By: Dylan Jones Adventure Scientist  Locals and tourists alike enjoy the swimming opportunities and magical setting of the Uvita Waterfall--this is where I collected my water samples. Photo: Dylan Jones White sand gives softly under our feet, reflecting enough ambient light to illuminate the empty beach and rolling boils of big surf. The crescendo of crashing waves makes the black expanse of the Pacific sound as if it is breathing, possessing the power and will of a sentient being. The plethora of tropical birds that populate the Parque Nacional Marino Ballena is still resting—their beautiful songs won’t be carried along the salty wind until the searing equatorial sun crests the coastal mountains.
By: Michael Waterford ASC Roadkill Adventure Scientist  Pulling my gear cart into Yellowwood State Forest on the 6th night of the trip. Early last year a friend of mine pointed out that despite exploring some of the most remote corners of the map, I had never explored southern Indiana. I realized he was absolutely right and decided last December to “through-hike” my home state while helping local land trusts and collecting data for the ASC Roadkill project.
By: Cameron Say Microplastics Adventure Scientist  Sampling setup. Bottle attached to the leg rope. Photo: Cameron Say The ocean has shaped the life that I live today. The feeling of being in the water waiting for a wave is as special to me as riding one to the shore. I can’t help but want to protect something which has become such a big part of me.
Following the best winter of surfing I’ve ever had, I was excited about catching more waves throughout the summer. But as the season got going, surfing started to feel self-centered. I would pull up in the car, catch the best waves I could, then jump right back in the car to head home. I wanted more out of surfing, not more waves, but a way to give back to what has given me so much. |
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