What a year!
We’ve had a busy year! Our first cohort is busy in their 2nd summer with FUERTE and gaining research experience in labs at UCSB, and our 2nd cohort is gearing up for a 2-week intensive field research retreat at the Sierra Nevada Aquatic Research Laboratory!
Here are some of the highlights from the past academic year:
1. Our first cohort is in their 2nd summer conducting research in labs ranging from measuring carbon in soil in the North Campus Open Space to testing ocean biodegradable plastics with the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary to analyzing diet in large carnivores at the Dangermond Preserve!
2. We’ve selected 10 now rising sophomores for our 2nd cohort and we’re gearing up for our annual intensive 2 week-long retreat at the Sierra Nevada Aquatic Research Laboratory! We will be learning data science, training in field research techniques, visiting Mammoth Mountain to learn about snow science with local researchers, camping in the Mammoth Lakes basin and visiting Yosemite National Park and hike to an alpine lake where our yellow-legged frog research team has been working (just to name a few activities!)
3. FUERTE Fellows took a trip to Kenneth R. Norris Rancho Marino UC Reserve in Cambria, CA to explore the intertidal zone and learn about data collection techniques commonly used to assess biodiversity in the intertidal.
