Connection Points
Interconnectivity has been a recurring theme surrounding this entire experience. What happens in the tundra does not exclusively impact the tundra; it affects us all. The terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems found there cascade their influence all over the world in various ways. Migration patterns of birds, fish, marine mammals depends on the duration of ice coverage, water levels, availability of food sources – all of these factors are constantly interacting and creating the rich web of life in the northern parts of our planet which in turn interact, directly or indirectly, with every ecosystem on Earth.
It goes beyond that, however. There is also the intersection of many different people, organizations, and efforts that all are connected to the tundra and the preservation of such important areas. The Yup’ik and Cup’ik people, towns and communities throughout Western Alaska, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, the National Science Foundation, multiple universities and research teams, and Polar STEAM represent just some of the groups that are heavily involved in developing a better understanding of the tundra and working with intense dedication to its preservation.
It’s been nearly a year since I boarded my flight bound for the Tutakoke River Camp. In that time, I’ve been fortunate enough to have multiple opportunities to continue to be involved with Polar STEAM, which provided some wonderful connections with new colleagues and organizations.
American Geophysical Union Conference
In December, I had the opportunity to present about my experience at the American Geophysical Union, which admittedly was a bit wild. With my background and education in the fine arts, I definitely did not expect to have a chance to attend, let alone speak at, a scientific conference. So as I stood there at the podium, I distinctly remember thinking, “How on earth did I get here?” It’s worth noting, I would ask myself that question a few times in the months following the AGU Conference.
As strange as it was for me to speak at the conference, it was a really amazing opportunity to listen to the experiences, findings, and ideas from scientists from all over the world, and it was incredible to meet so many of the Polar STEAM team and Fellows in person down in New Orleans. Being able to talk about our shared experience of adventure while also seeing how varied and different all of our trips were was really interesting. It was also great to talk with others in the informal education space about some of the unique challenges and exciting avenues provided by museums and science centers. As we all sat together, enjoying the food and atmosphere of New Orleans, it was apparent that despite us all coming from so many different professional backgrounds and so many different states, all of us were deeply affected by our experience in the polar regions of the world.
Bug Bazaar
I’ve always been very interested in anything involving bugs. Insects, arachnids, arthropods of all kinds have held a special fascination with me, so being able to be the project lead on an event called the Bug Bazaar at Sci-Port Discovery Center was extremely exciting. As we were putting together the event, we contacted several wildlife and conservation-focused organizations and asked if they would be interested in participating in the event a the museum with us. As more and more organizations agreed, we decided that – despite being called the Bug Bazaar – we were going to celebrate all wildlife at this event.
It was a little surreal the day of the Bug Bazaar. We had lines out the door and over twenty community partners doing various activities and programs throughout the center. Our keynote speaker was Coyote Peterson, host of YouTube’s Brave Wilderness and Animal Planet’s Brave the Wild, and people were excited to talk wildlife. While he and his team have a substantial reach for animal conservation messaging, everyone also recognizes him as the guy who deliberately tested out how painful insect stings are – for science!
Part of the event that didn’t manifest until very close to the day of was, for me personally, one of the most rewarding, interesting, and unexpected opportunities. Ilene, one of the researchers with whom I shared the Tut experience with, was able to travel and join for the Bug Bazaar, as were David and Will, storytellers from the Oregon State University Story Lab. It was such an incredible experience to talk about Polar STEAM, the tundra, the birds, and continuing opportunities with them as well as with the over 1,500 guests who joined for the event.
It was also a really incredible opportunity to talk with Coyote about Polar STEAM, the tundra, and conservation messaging while being filmed by the OSU Story Lab team. Having grown up watching Steve Irwin and Jeff Corwin, and also having enjoyed Coyote’s videos and Animal Planet show as an adult, it was just such a cool opportunity to be able to talk about wildlife and conservation and be part of that larger conversation in that way.
To the Tundra Documentary Film
There was a day out in the tundra when the Tut crew were all in the main weather port after a long day in the tundra, we were talking about how everyone ended up on the career path of field research, and Ilene mentioned how she initially started within communications because she loved doing radio DJ work and editing videos. I reached out to her earlier in the year and asked if she would be willing to help me put together a documentary about the experience utilizing the footage, sound clips, and still photos from everyone.
Collaborating with Ilene was so much fun. She and I talked and shared ideas as she assembled the raw footage and sounds into a cohesive narrative. Discussing the video also gave us the chance to reminisce and reflect back on the experience, which was enjoyable but also really emphasized how important this journey was for us. With this short film, we will have something we can share that provides a glimpse into that experience.
Looking Ahead
It is really encouraging knowing that there are still more opportunities to come to engage and connect with Polar STEAM and other science-based organizations. The experience and connections from this program continue to develop, and I am so excited for the future adventures and endeavors like the Polar STEAM Summit and continued collaborations with regional and national wildlife institutions.
Final Thoughts
I don’t typically refer to experiences as transformative, but that is absolutely how I would classify the opportunity provided through Polar STEAM. I want to extend my deepest appreciation and gratitude to the entire Polar STEAM team, to the team at Sci-Port, to Dr. Koons, Oregon State University, Colorado State University, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, the Yup’ik and Cup’ik people, the National Science Foundation, and everyone who pours their passion into the conservation of wildlife.
And of course, to James, Ilene, Dekka, and Bella. The Tut Crew was one of the most incredible teams I have ever had the great privilege to be a part of.
My time in Alaska and everything that has radiated from it will forever remain some of my most cherished memories.
My creativity almost exclusively manifests as drawings or paintings. As I was laying in my cot, surrounded by the glow of the perpetual sunlight despite it being well-past eleven o’clock at night, listening to the symphony of cackles, chirps, and calls of various birds, I felt compelled to write a poem. For me, writing poetry is very unusual, but it was also an unusual place for me to be, so I suppose maybe that’s fitting. So I’ll end with this.
“To the Tundra”
Upon such vast expanse
That Alaskan West
Do flock the intrepid
Those come to nest.
Sheer howling winds
And rain unyielding
With muddy sloughs
Cut through the fielding.
As foxes prowl
Through whispering grasses
The hungry gulls
Take wing in masses.
Yet here is come
On the coast of Bering
Where parents gather
Devout and caring.
Sparrow, eider,
Swan, and goose,
Sit nestled among
The wandering moose.
Amid the dangers
Those toils, that strife
Burst from the tundra
Most precious life.
Those little miracles
With radiant glow
Will venture forth
To learn and grow.
To wing! To wing!
The young ones take flight
The world awaits
Their futures bright.
A gleaming jewel
Where life is won,
This summer land
Of the midnight sun.
