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
Growing Degree Days: Using Math for Crop Production Success
Power of Science presentation April 27, 2022, 6:30 - 7:30 pm.
In person at Create Arts Center, 900 W 4th, Newport, WA
Phoenix Luby, local retired educator, will describe a way to outguess changes in the climate. Growing Degree Days can help anyone make better gardening decisions. In the 1970's Pend Oreille Valley had about a 90-day gardening season. Now we are averaging 140 days. So the question is: What crops should we grow, when should we plant, and when should we expect noxious weeds and insect pollinators or pests to arrive? For more information email: selkirkallianceforscience@gmail.com.
Power of Science presentation April 27, 2022, 6:30 - 7:30 pm.
In person at Create Arts Center, 900 W 4th, Newport, WA
Phoenix Luby, local retired educator, will describe a way to outguess changes in the climate. Growing Degree Days can help anyone make better gardening decisions. In the 1970's Pend Oreille Valley had about a 90-day gardening season. Now we are averaging 140 days. So the question is: What crops should we grow, when should we plant, and when should we expect noxious weeds and insect pollinators or pests to arrive? For more information email: selkirkallianceforscience@gmail.com.
The 2nd annual Science "Wiz Quiz" contest was a huge success. Thank you to everyone who entered.
Prizes were awarded and participants from Washington, Idaho, Oregon, California and Colorado stated that it was a fun learning experience.
Answers to the questions with sources are posted on the 2021 and 2022 contests pages: www.selkirkscience.org/contests.html.
For more information, contact selkirkallianceforscience@gmail.com.
Prizes were awarded and participants from Washington, Idaho, Oregon, California and Colorado stated that it was a fun learning experience.
Answers to the questions with sources are posted on the 2021 and 2022 contests pages: www.selkirkscience.org/contests.html.
For more information, contact selkirkallianceforscience@gmail.com.
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.