External Engagement News

This month’s Science Unwrapped tackled the topic of Utah wetlands and the invasive Phragmites plant. iUTAH had a booth at the event with a simple experiment to explain the importance of wetlands in the Great Salt Lake ecosystem. We demonstrated how wetlands act as a natural filter or sponge by absorbing rain and floodwater, using a household sponge and muddy water to create a mini wetland ecosystem. iUTAH EOD staffers Caitlyn Lewis and Mark Brunson were at the booth to explain the experiment and answer questions about the iUTAH project.

“Wetlands are among Utah’s most critical ecosystems,” says Utah State University wetlands ecologist Karin Kettenring, feature speaker at this month’s Science Unwrapped. During this event, Kettenring explained the importance of wetlands and the role of wetland ecologists. She also described that the Great Salt Lake wetlands are vulnerable to a number of threats, including pollution and loss of habitat from development, climate change and invasive plants such as Phragmites.

There were many booths at the event that provided information and hands-on activities for the whole community. A Phragmites maze showed kids just how tall the pesky plants can be, while Kettenring’s graduate students taught about different wetland plants, animals, and soils. Science Unwrapped continues throughout the spring semester with the theme of “Great Salt Lake Today” during the USU “Year of Water".

Utah State University has designated 2015 as “The Year of Water.” Acknowledged both nationally and internationally as leaders in water-related research and management, USU’s engineers, hydrologists, agronomists, sociologists, climate scientists and others will have their work spotlighted and lauded as part of the university’s year-long recognition.

To highlight Year of Water events and expertise, Utah Public Radio (UPR) recently announced its exciting year-long plans to present fascinating stories and in-depth information about water-related projects and USU faculty members and researchers whose work helps farmers, climatologists, economic development specialists and average citizens deal with water issues.

UPR’s coverage includes a new, hour-long program, The Source, as well as educational segments and news reports on water research and issues in the state. Programming will be hosted and spearheaded by UPR reporter Jennifer Pemberton. Pemberton reports on environmental and natural resource issues in the state and produced UPR’s award-winning 2013 series “Five Billion Gallons.”

“There is a wealth of stories related to water among the faculty and students at Utah State University,” said Pemberton. “And the ripple effect of the research here can be found throughout the state, the West and even in waterways on other continents. Chasing these stories is the most exciting part of my job for the next 12 months.”

UPR will air The Source from 9-10 a.m. the last Friday of every month throughout 2015. Shorter feature stories will air during the popular drive-time news programs Morning Edition and All Things Considered.

“Utah Public Radio serves an audience that is keenly interested in natural resources,” said Station Manager Peg Arnold. “We are excited with this opportunity to tell stories about USU’s research in engineering, irrigation, conservation, climate and art; all meaningful and engaging topics to our listeners.”

UPR also will be involved in community outreach programs related to the Year of Water such as the Science Unwrapped series at USU’s Logan campus and StoryCorps in Vernal. UPR supports a variety of community voices in addition to expert commentary.

Financial support for this year-long effort to tell Utah water stories comes from iUTAH’s Education, Outreach and Diversity Catalyst grant and Utah State University’s 2015 Year of Water campaign.

UPR broadcasts from the main campus of Utah State University in Logan and is part of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, providing national news and public radio programming as well as local Utah news on a statewide network of translators. Tune in to 91.5 or 89.5 in Logan or listen anytime online.

Writer and Contact: Kerry Bringhurst, UPR news director, Kerry.bringhurst@usu.edu

Salt Lake City's professional outdoor photographer, Jason Christensen, donated his photo 'Desert Symphony' to iUTAH to showcase Utah's scenic beauty while also showing that we still live in the 2nd driest state in the nation. We are excited to use this photo in the new reprint of the iUTAH brochure.

Jason has been capturing award-winning photographs for nearly 20 years, specializing in nature and landscape photography. As demonstrated by the subject and quality of his work, Jason has profound admiration and respect for nature and our environment. At every photo location, he seeks to capture a unique image in time, wherein viewers can feel like they are experiencing the emotion of the moment.

A new sign that teaches the importance of monitoring the water quality of Utah’s rivers and lakes was recently placed in front of the Stokes Nature Center near the Logan River. The sign was funded by iUTAH as part of the EOD Catalysit Grant program a research project that works to preserve Utah’s water resources. 

Read the following Logan River Sign News Articles:

• New sign at Logan River teaches about water quality - Cache Valley Daily
• Sign Project Seeks To Educate Public On Water Quality - Utah Public Radio
• USU Water Quality Extension, iUTAH, Partners Unveil Logan River Sign - Utah State Universtiy

ABC 4 News aired a piece on iUTAH partner Utah Water Watch on October 8, 2014 as part of their tour of universities and colleges in Utah.

Check it out...