I'm on a mailing list from the UW Climate Impacts Group and I recently received the following message. It seems like something that TAYers could help with, so I'm passing it along here.
[size=12pt]Subject: Help with PNW snow research[/size]
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You can help an innovative research effort on Pacific Northwest snowpack and forests!
The Climate Impacts Group is partnering with researchers at the University of Washington, Seattle Public Utilities, Oregon State University, and the University of Idaho to better understand how forest types and management regimes across the PNW affect the timing of snowmelt for the range of climate conditions.
The project will use field observations, collected in the form of geo-tagged photos, and predictive models to evaluate the effect of forest management actions on snowmelt timing under current and future conditions. The resulting maps and supporting data will be made publicly available to support forest management. Funding for the research is provided by the Department of the Interior Northwest Climate Science Center.
On-the-ground observations of snow presence in forested and open areas across the region are an important component of the research. If your professional or recreational activities take you into the mountains this spring and summer (or you know people who fit this category), you can help the research by sending geo-tagged photos of snow (or no snow) in adjacent forested and open areas. No special equipment is needed - most smart phones will take geo-tagged photos as long as the GPS for the camera is enabled in phone settings.
See the attached PDF or go to
depts.washington.edu/mtnhydr/research/citsci.shtml
for more information on the project, including instructions for sending photos. A short training video is also available on the project website.
For questions or more information on the project, contact Susan Dickerson-Lange (253-225-9909 or dickers@uw.edu). And, of course, please spread the word!
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