Welcome to Selkirk Alliance for Science
We are an IRS 501(c)(3) nonprofit alliance of scientist and nonscientist volunteers who advocate an increased understanding of the nature, value, and integrity of science to benefit our communities. Our members have expertise in applying and teaching earth, life, and physical sciences. The communities we call home are located in northeast Washington and northern Idaho.
NEWS UPDATE
SCARING COUGARS FOR SCIENCE: RESEARCH IN NORTHEAST WASHINGTON
Power of Science virtual presentation April 27, 2021 via Zoom recording https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share Passcode: 4!%WWVJr
Guest Speaker: Bart George, Wildlife Program Manager, Kalispel Natural Resources Department, Cusick, WA
Cougar depredations and human encounters have increased over the last few years. Bart’s study examines the effectiveness and long term impacts of hazing, with a goal to test the effectiveness of various ways of scaring cougars while also documenting if these methods prompt mountain lions to change their behavior. Cougars near homes and farms are treed by hounds and fitted with GPS collars to track their minute-by-minute movements in the field. Bart uses a cougar’s GPS location to relocate and haze it with various stimuli.
Power of Science virtual presentation April 27, 2021 via Zoom recording https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share Passcode: 4!%WWVJr
Guest Speaker: Bart George, Wildlife Program Manager, Kalispel Natural Resources Department, Cusick, WA
Cougar depredations and human encounters have increased over the last few years. Bart’s study examines the effectiveness and long term impacts of hazing, with a goal to test the effectiveness of various ways of scaring cougars while also documenting if these methods prompt mountain lions to change their behavior. Cougars near homes and farms are treed by hounds and fitted with GPS collars to track their minute-by-minute movements in the field. Bart uses a cougar’s GPS location to relocate and haze it with various stimuli.
SCIENCE "WIZ QUIZ" Ends
The Wiz Quiz which began on March 1 will end at the end of April. That means the last weekly question will be posted on Monday, April 26 at 7:00 AM Pacific. Subject categories explored so far are: air quality, animals, citizen science, plants, and science careers. One more opportunity remains. Contestants who don't know the answer to our question from memory can search the Internet for help.
Selkirk Alliance for Science (SAS) challenges you to exercise your scientific knowledge and search skills with our contest. Our purpose is to increase personal understanding of the nature, value, and integrity of science that can benefit all communities. No purchase is necessary for anyone to enter or win the contest, and the rewards could be fun, educational, and a science souvenir or prize. Be sure to read the contest rules posted here: www.selkirkscience.org/contests.html
The Wiz Quiz which began on March 1 will end at the end of April. That means the last weekly question will be posted on Monday, April 26 at 7:00 AM Pacific. Subject categories explored so far are: air quality, animals, citizen science, plants, and science careers. One more opportunity remains. Contestants who don't know the answer to our question from memory can search the Internet for help.
Selkirk Alliance for Science (SAS) challenges you to exercise your scientific knowledge and search skills with our contest. Our purpose is to increase personal understanding of the nature, value, and integrity of science that can benefit all communities. No purchase is necessary for anyone to enter or win the contest, and the rewards could be fun, educational, and a science souvenir or prize. Be sure to read the contest rules posted here: www.selkirkscience.org/contests.html
Air Quality Citizen Science Project
The Pend Oreille Conservation District (POCD) and the nonprofit Selkirk Alliance for Science (SAS) have implemented a voluntary citizen science air quality monitoring program throughout Pend Oreille County. The Northeast Tri-County Health District, Kalispel Tribe’s Natural Resources Department, plus some municipalities and private landowners are current partners. This effort will install consumer-grade monitoring devices that measure and record the concentration of tiny airborne particulate matter in real time day or night. The devices transmit data directly to the international PurpleAir map, and is also linked locally to the POCD website for free public viewing.
Monthly summaries of daily air quality data are posted on the SAS Citizen Science webpage. The monitoring devices are the size of a softball, sturdy for outdoor installation. They require continuous AC electricity, a continuous WiFi connection/signal, and yearlong physical access for possible maintenance. Data from this new citizen science air monitoring program is not precise enough for use by regulating officials, but it can indicate pollution trends and the influence of time of day or season, atmospheric conditions, and human activity on air quality. It may also indicate a need for more detailed study.
The Pend Oreille Conservation District (POCD) and the nonprofit Selkirk Alliance for Science (SAS) have implemented a voluntary citizen science air quality monitoring program throughout Pend Oreille County. The Northeast Tri-County Health District, Kalispel Tribe’s Natural Resources Department, plus some municipalities and private landowners are current partners. This effort will install consumer-grade monitoring devices that measure and record the concentration of tiny airborne particulate matter in real time day or night. The devices transmit data directly to the international PurpleAir map, and is also linked locally to the POCD website for free public viewing.
Monthly summaries of daily air quality data are posted on the SAS Citizen Science webpage. The monitoring devices are the size of a softball, sturdy for outdoor installation. They require continuous AC electricity, a continuous WiFi connection/signal, and yearlong physical access for possible maintenance. Data from this new citizen science air monitoring program is not precise enough for use by regulating officials, but it can indicate pollution trends and the influence of time of day or season, atmospheric conditions, and human activity on air quality. It may also indicate a need for more detailed study.
COVID-19
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Selkirk Alliance for Science is postponing all activities that do not allow for adequate social distancing, face-masking, or other safety restrictions. In the meantime, we are organizing Power of Science virtual presentations for winter and spring. Board of Directors meetings will be less frequent and take place online until further notice. Be safe, stay healthy, and check back to this website for new features and science information.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Selkirk Alliance for Science is postponing all activities that do not allow for adequate social distancing, face-masking, or other safety restrictions. In the meantime, we are organizing Power of Science virtual presentations for winter and spring. Board of Directors meetings will be less frequent and take place online until further notice. Be safe, stay healthy, and check back to this website for new features and science information.