{"id":67241,"date":"2022-10-27T08:52:44","date_gmt":"2022-10-27T15:52:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/?p=67241"},"modified":"2022-10-27T09:47:52","modified_gmt":"2022-10-27T16:47:52","slug":"ramp-climate-change","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/ramp-climate-change\/","title":{"rendered":"RaMPing up climate change research and careers with Indigenous perspectives"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Center for Adaptable Western Landscapes (CAWL) at NAU and the Environmental Science and Natural Resources program at Navajo Technical University received a nearly $3 million National Science Foundation (NSF) grant to address critical questions about climate vulnerability in the American Southwest while increasing diversity among STEM researchers.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Research and Mentoring for Postbaccalaureates<\/span><\/a>, or RaMP, is a four-year effort to provide post-baccalaureate research experiences for students from communities that are underrepresented in biological sciences, with a particular emphasis on Indigenous and Latin\u00e9 students. This emphasis is important in the Southwest, which is home to many Native nations and Hispanic families.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe project team is tremendously excited about the grant and its potential to train a new generation of scientists that is reflective of the peoples of the Southwest,\u201d said <\/span>Amy Whipple<\/span><\/b>, associate professor of biological sciences and the principal investigator for the grant. \u201cWe are also eager to work intensively with diverse mentors from tribes, agencies and the private sector as we learn to set research goals as a team.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis program is exciting as it builds on our successes at Navajo Technical University in training Indigenous students via hands-on activities grounded in their local knowledge,\u201d co-PI Steve Chischilly said.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Jared
Jared Pino prepares to plant a pinyon seedling at Navajo Technical University. Top photo: Chase Bebo prepares cages to protect pinyon seedling in plantings at NTU.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Studying the dramatic effects of climate change on the landscape of the southwestern U.S.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As the climate changes, so do the landscapes of the Southwest, which are experiencing increased fires and floods and hotter, drier summers. RaMP mentees will conduct research that responds to these changes and is developed with input from local communities and stakeholders\u2014the same groups from which students will be recruited.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Specifically, research projects will be geared toward developing techniques to slow the loss of foundation species, preserve species of concern and protect culturally important landscape-based practices and food sources. Although research projects will change year over year, some subthemes for the first year include:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n