October 2021 Full Moon Newsletter

Mullen Fire Ecology Field Trip

Join us for a free field trip to Mullen Fire-affected areas of the Medicine Bow National Forest and learn about fire ecology and how the ecosystem will recover. We will meet for this FREE field trip at the Six Mile Gap Campground near Encampment on Saturday, October 23 at 10:00 a.m. The field trip is being offered as part of a new community science initiative about post-fire recovery launching in the Spring. Learn more about the project and field trip, and register to attend the field trip here.

Aspen Tree Superpowers

At this time of year, aspen leaves lose their green-colored chlorophyll to reveal other pigments in their leaves–typically yellow carotene. But this year, the aspens are especially red, a color produced by anthocyanins. Some aspens have a genetic predisposition to become red instead of gold, but even so, the weather conditions must be just right–warm sunny days followed by cool nights that are above freezing. Sound like this year to you? You can learn about another aspen superpower at WyoBio Minutes, episode 3.

Grant Awardee Highlight

We’ve awarded the first Richard Baldes Native American Biodiversity Graduate Fellowship to Christie Wildcat, a Master’s student at the Haub School and Department of Anthropology. She’s exploring how decisions that affect natural resources are made on the Wind River Indian Reservation and will observe Business Council meetings and interview tribal members. Read about her project and other Graduate Student Research Enhancement Grant awardees at our website. 

Kid's Corner

Want to learn about snails, mayflies, or parasitic plants, anyone? For all of 2021 (and some previous years), the BI has been introducing young readers to Wyoming plants and animals through WREN, the magazine of the Wyoming Rural Electric Association. We’re especially proud that many of the articles feature illustrations by our own graphic arts interns. Check out page 31 of the February 2021 issue to learn more about Wyoming Toads!

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Send Email Inquiries to: Biodiversity@uwyo.edu