Life in the Hanging Gardens

Listen in for Part 2 of Science Moab's conversation with Nicole Horseherder, co-founder and Executive Director of Tó Nízhóní Ání (Sacred Water Speaks), a Diné-led nonprofit based on Black Mesa on the Navajo Nation. In this episode, Nicole maps her science communication, advocacy, and policy work in water protection from the earliest days of the N Aquifer education campaign; to the consequential shutdowns of the Mohave Generating Station, Black Mesa Mine slurry line, and Navajo Generating Station; all the way to her team's current focus on Just and Equitable Transition (JET)—rebuilding economic losses from coal plant and mine closures and replacing coal energy with renewable energy to protect water resources across the Navajo Nation. Missed Part 1 ? https://on.soundcloud.com/90MCcTIXGTiUdOkvjX

Across many chapters, Nicole Horseherder has worked at the confluence of water, science, advocacy, and community. As a founding member and executive director of Tó Nízhóní Ání (Sacred Water Speaks), a Diné-led nonprofit based on Black Mesa on the Navajo Nation, Nicole and her team envision a future on Black Mesa where communities exist in harmony with the Diné elements of Life —land, air, water, and sunlight.  In part one of a two-episode series, Nicole describes her childhood and young adult years—witnessing socio-political, climactic, and hydrologic shifts in her community that changed ways of life on Dził Yíjiin (Black Mesa). Nicole shares how these experiences propelled her into a leading role in the formation of Tó Nízhóní Ání to educate and mobilize Diné communities around Black Mesa hydrology and water rights.

Join guest host M.A. Russell and botanist and Utah Native Plant Society Vice President Parker James Lloyd for a springtime hike through the canyons of Moab as they chat Utah's native plant biodiversity, marvel at cool botanical adaptations, and visit a hanging garden full of water-loving plants like orchids, monkeyflowers, and the cave-dwelling primrose, Primula specuicola.

There is good ozone and bad ozone. We are discussing the bad ozone today, the one we breathe and can be harmful to our health. Daniel Mendoza, a research associate professor at the University of Utah, discusses the chemistry behind ozone formation, primarily from nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds intensified by sunlight. Daniel has started a project to measure air quality and heat in rural Utah communities, using both indoor and outdoor sensors. The discussion includes the challenges of ozone measurement, the role of vegetation like sagebrush in VOC emissions, and the potential benefits of using public cooling centers as environmental refuges. The episode underscores the need for more awareness and education about ozone's health impacts, especially for tourists in areas like Moab.

​​This episode of Science Moab continues the exploration of the Navajo sandstone with Marjorie Chan, Professor Emeritus at the University of Utah. The unique coloration of the sandstone is influenced by iron oxides that have analogies with the iron oxide 'blueberries' found on Mars and have implications for groundwater evidence on the planet. Margie elaborates on the concretions and weathering patterns within the Navajo sandstone and how these differ from the Wingate sandstone. We also discuss the challenges of geological research funding, the importance of fieldwork partnerships, and the significance of preserving natural geological features and educating the public on their value.

The majestic and iconic Navajo Sandstone has become ubiquitous in scenes from the Colorado Plateau. Margie Chan, Professor Emeritus at the University of Utah, has studied the Navajo Sandstone her entire career and we discuss the deposition and unique features of this Jurassic wind-blown sand. This ancient desert extended across much of Utah, Arizona, and Nevada, and combined different geological structures including dunes, lake deposits, and springs. In this first of a 2-part series, we talk about the key role that groundwater plays in the sediment deformation and coloring. The next episode delves into the role of iron in the Navajo sandstone and its connection to Mars.

This show is part of a series exploring Science Moab’s School to Science Program, connecting students with scientists in the field, the lab, and beyond. This program began in 2021 and to date has mentored over 57 local students. In this episode, we talk with Chris Moreira, a recent graduate of the Grand County Student Career and Success Center and participant in the School to Science Program. Guest host Sasha Pereira explores Chris’s journey from high school to hands-on paleontology internships, his experiences with mentors and scientists, and the impact of these opportunities on his academic and career aspirations. Chris shares insights about the welcoming scientific community, the excitement of fieldwork, and the importance of mentorship. The episode also covers Chris’s achievements, including presenting research at a professional conference and earning a college scholarship. The conversation concludes with advice for students interested in science careers and Chris’s vision for making science accessible to future generations.

Drylands play a critical role in global ecosystems as well as the carbon cycle. We talk with ecologist Brooke Osborne about the fascinating world of biogeochemistry and dryland science. Covering 40% of the Earth's surface and hosting a third of the human population, heterogeneous drylands have low resource availability and therefore are highly sensitive to climatic changes. We discuss Brooke’s ongoing research into soil carbon storage and sequestration, particularly in the context of grazing practices and land management.

This show is part of a series exploring Science Moab’s School to Science Program, connecting students with scientists in the field, the lab, and beyond. In this episode, we talk with mentor Emily Lessner, paleontologist for the Bureau of Land Management, and Shadis McDaniel, a recent Grand County High School graduate. Shadis joined Emily on a couple of job shadows, both in the office and in the field.

A lichen is a colony of algae or cyanobacteria living interactively with fungus and bacteria in a mutual or symbiotic relationship, but for Steve Leavitt, a lichen is a  hotspot of diversity and  an indicator of ecological health. Steve is in charge of one of the largest lichen collections in North America at BYU where he teaches and directs the Life Science Museum. But most of all, Steve loves his research and being outside. We talk with Steve about how the unique factors on the Colorado Plateau contribute to diverse lichen communities, how lichens can be used as indicators of air quality, and the impacts of climate change on their distribution. Steve explains how advancements in genetics have led to a step-change in the study of lichens and the broader implications of studying lichens for understanding life on Earth.