Alaska's coastal and offshore waters provide foraging habitat for an estimated 100 million birds, comprising more than 90 different species. Alaska is earthquake country with four out of five earthquakes in the U.S. occurring in Alaska. The state has 3 million lakes, 3,000 rivers, 170 million acres of wetlands, an estimated 100,000 glaciers, and permafrost throughout the state. Learn more below.
Fish Ear Stones Offer Climate Change Clues
USGS and the NPS collaborate on sharing research for all ages in a special issue of the journal Frontiers for Young Minds that focuses on research in National Parks. For this article, scientists used the growth rings in lake trout ear stones to understand if climate change was influencing how fast the fish grew in Lake Clark National Park and Preserve.
How Beavers Are Changing Arctic Landscapes and Earth's Climate
USGS and the NPS collaborate on sharing research for all ages in a special issue of the journal Frontiers for Young Minds that focuses on research in National Parks. By building dams, beavers are ecosystem engineers that dramatically alter terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. This article describes the potential impacts and the effect of beavers in the Arctic.
Goose Nesting Camera Activity with the USGS Alaska Science Center: Middle School Lesson
Participate in this fun, interactive lesson that allows students to think like a USGS Wildlife Biologist! This lesson explores how disturbances in the natural environment could impact the nesting habits of geese in the wild. In this activity, students analyze camera shots of different nests and evaluate how the length of incubation breaks taken by geese can vary due to local disturbances.
Resources and Links for Boreal Partners in Flight
There is enormous value in learning about our natural world. Educational resources help us with this endeavor and help us teach others about landbirds. Note: This list is for your convenience. We are not advertising or endorsing any product or entity listed.
Media/Outreach at the Alaska Science Center
If you have questions about upcoming events, research, or media inquiries regarding the USGS Alaska Science Center please contact Yvette Gillies.