Arctic Research Open House

June 1, 2023

“We had a terrific time at the Open House: loads of interest (who can resist tasting three different birch syrups?), great networking opportunities with different West Ridge scientists, and just such a great feeling and event," said Jan Dawe, Director of OneTree Alaska (OTA). Eighty-nine booth visitors ranked their preferences amongst the three birch syrups, providing helpful citizen science input for OTA's  Innovations in Birch Sap Processing project. Some were particularly interested in the degree-day calendar that OneTree Alaska created with the help of input from the Fairbanks Birch Sap Cooperative, Rick Thoman of the Alaska Center of Climate Assessment and Policy, and Susan Harry of Tanana Valley Clinic and the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

The timing of the open house coincided with the start of the birch pollen season (May 13), the end of the birch sap season and green-up on West Chena Ridge in Fairbanks (both May 16), and the end of the K-12 school year (May 19). Estimates are that more than 500 people came to learn about innovative Arctic research happening at UAF.