Given winter's rapid approach, the permafrost experimental plots are getting special attention. Preemptive vegetation surveying and soil core collections are propelling the Drown lab into a future greenhouse hibernation...and I am excited about it! Do you know what this means? Vegetation surveying, soil samples and an empty greenhouse? Sounds like a pilot study to me. Maybe come January, this smiling face will be found working alongside the IAB Research Greenhouse coordinator, Mark Wright.
This week I got to check out the US Army Corps of Engineers' research stomping grounds, also known as the Fairbanks Permafrost Experiment Station (FPES). Accompanied by my proficient permafrost guides, Jackson and Alex, I explored this unique study site. Together we drilled soil cores, slogged through the rain and battled prolific mosquitoes. Fun field days in Fairbanks!