The annual Fireside Lecture Series at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center is scheduled to begin Jan. 12 with members of Juneau Mountain Rescue sharing stories from the field.
The Fireside Lectures will begin at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the lectures and entrance to the visitor center are free.
Below is this year’s scheduled lectures. For more information visit www.mendenhallglacier.net or call (907) 789-0097.
Jan. 12: Stories of Search and Rescue in Southeast Alaska
Get ready to meet the real-life heroes of Juneau Mountain Rescue, a group of daring parents, scientists, teachers, lawyers, firefighters, and others who have saved countless lives while searching the far corners of the mountains or even scouring the city streets. Dea Huff and the crew will take you on an unforgettable journey, sharing some of their most incredible rescues and stories.
Jan. 26: Warming Waters, Hot Topics: Alaska’s Fisheries Climate Conundrum
Between loss of sea-ice and marine heatwaves, the climate across Alaska is changing fast. While some Juneauites fly south this time of year, many species of crab and fish are headed north. Join Fishery Biologist Elizabeth (Ebett) Siddon to learn about Alaska’s marine ecosystems, fisheries, and how they are responding to our changing climate.
Feb. 2: Once Upon a Time Ago: Archaeology and Clues from the Past
Join Laura Klingman, the Indiana Jones of Forest Service archaeology, as she leads you on a thrilling adventure into the past. Together, you’ll dig up the mysteries of our ancestors and uncover hidden treasures of knowledge. Get ready to unleash your inner explorer.
Feb. 9: Seeking Juneau’s Hidden Stories Underwater
Ready to dive into history? SCUBA aficionados Annette Smith and Lindsey Wheeler will take you on an underwater adventure through Juneau’s past. From old gravestones to steamship china and even old-school cell phones, these two have discovered some amazing historical gems. They’ll be spilling the secrets on the origins of these treasures.
Feb. 16: Tales of Tails: How fluke patterns and blubber bits allow us to track the health of Juneau whales
Humpback whales are the pride of our natural world and an integral part of our whale watching industry. Enter Suzie Teerlink, NOAA superstar, as she takes you on a voyage to discover the beauty of these incredible animals and explore ways in which we can safeguard them.
Feb. 23: Tlingit and Haida’s Natural Resource Division’s co-stewardship of the Tongass National Forest
Specific topics to be determined.
March 1: Grow with the Flow: Juvenile Salmonid Growth Within a Pro-Glacial Watershed in Southeast Alaska
In the cool waters of Davies Creek near Berner’s Bay, Coho salmon and Dolly Varden are living their lives in a range of cozy habitats before hitting the open sea. Lindsey Call, PhD student at UAF, will take us on an epic exploration of these aquatic wonderlands and how they impact the growth and quality of young salmon.
March 8: Unseen ice — exploring the underwater portions of Alaska’s glaciers and icebergs
The rate at which glaciers are melting is a symbol of climate change. In this talk, Dave Sutherland will detail the process of mapping the hidden subsurface of glaciers located in Southeast Alaska and Greenland. He will also discuss the significance of forecasting the pace at which ice is disappearing from the planet.
March 15: Living alongside the Brown Bears of the Kootznoowoo Wilderness
Strap on your hiking boots and join FS Assistant Crew Lead Grace Corrigan and Ranger Cameron Ogden as they share the history of the Admiralty Island National Monument’s wilderness designation, the challenging and exciting elements of their work, and their stories about the brown bears that frequent Pack Valley.
March 22: Building Trails, Building Community
Founded in 1993 by a group of volunteers, Trail Mix is a nonprofit created to build and maintain the trail system in Juneau. In 30 years, Trail Mix has grown from a volunteer led crew to a team with four year-round staff members supporting the work of 25 crew members during the field season. Building trails takes the support of our community, and this talk will center around the amazing partnerships Trail Mix has made in 30 years and where they’re heading for the next 30.
March 29: In the Arms of Glaciers: Voices of Water, Stone, and Ice
In 2023, artist Youpa Stein kayaked into the Fords Terror Tracy Arm Wilderness as part of a Voices in the Wilderness Residency Program. During her journey, she delved into the significance of water, stone, ice, and the arts in the preservation of wilderness. Youpa will share her exciting adventure with us.
