Summer Evening Speaker Series

June 2, 2026
Speaker: Sarah Swanson
After studying three target species of voles in Denali for over 30 years, scientists are discovering more about these resilient and fascinating animals through a new lens: genetics. Using genetic information from both voles and shrews from a monitoring site in Denali National Park and a nearby site in Healy, we are learning about how these creatures move and how changes in population numbers impacts genetic diversity. This talk will briefly cover some natural history of small mammals in Denali, then dive further into our current research.

June 9, 2026
Speaker: Sean Regan
The Denali fault has given rise to the most spectacular mountain belt in North America: the Alaska Range. This talk will follow Sean’s scientific journey exploring the 2000 km long structure, which leverages a myriad of scientific techniques to unravel the complex history of the Denali fault. Several Denali Fault topics will be touched on, including the processes that led to its formation, how and why it developed its curved shape, mantle Helium in springs along the Denali fault, as well as other amusing stories, tales, and exaggerations.

June 16, 2026
Speaker: Carol McIntyre
Every spring, billions of migratory birds return to Alaska from across the globe and with new technology, researchers are constantly gaining a better understanding of their journeys. Join Carol McIntyre to learn more about how the evolution of small, lightweight GPS telemetry units are revealing the details of the amazing movements of Alaska’s migratory birds, including Golden Eagles.

June 23, 2026
Speaker: Jason Moan
Have questions about spruce-bark beetles? Join Jason Moan, Forest Health Program Manager for the Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection, to explore the trajectory of the ongoing spruce beetle outbreak. He will discuss the recent cold winter and its effect on the beetles, population monitoring efforts across the region, advances in tree protection strategies, and more.

June 30, 2026
Speaker: Lisa Stuby
Arctic grayling are one of the most beautiful freshwater fish in Alaska, with a large, sail-like dorsal fin and colorful markings. Discover how these remarkable fish survive the cold winters, brief summers, as well as the all-important spawning strategies that occur in early spring. During 2021-2023, a radiotelemetry study was conducted in Beaver Creek in the White Mountains National Recreation Area near Fairbanks to learn more about grayling seasonal movements and find spring spawning, summer feeding, and overwintering areas. The information gathered from this study can be applied to Arctic grayling in other systems, including the streams of Denali National Park and Preserve.