Winter 2011-2012 Volume 2 | Issue 3

New Mexico EPSCoR

Water Quality and the Las Conchas Fire
Dr. Clifford Dahm, New Mexico EPSCoR researcher and internationally recognized expert in aquatic ecology, climatology and restoration biology, provides some insight into the impacts of the Las Conchas fire on water quality in the VCNP.
The theme of the current New Mexico EPSCoR project is climate change impacts on New Mexicos mountain sources of water. Some view climate change as manifesting itself as gradual increases in temperature in the coming decades with possible changes to the percentage of precipitation that comes as snow and rain. A more realistic scenario for climate change in New Mexico is less snow, more intense floods, large-scale forest diebacks, and hotter more severe forest fires. Evidence suggests that climate change is already with us with warmer temperatures, earlier snowmelt, drier pre-monsoon conditions, and major forest diebacks and record forest fires occurring consistently this past decade. One component of the current New Mexico EPSCoR project is the effect of climate change on water quality in the forested mountain catchments of New Mexico. The Las Conchas fire in the Jemez Mountains in June and July of 2011 was the largest recorded fire in New Mexico history and with major changes in total suspended sediments, conductivity, total phosphorus, total nitrogen, and total ammonia have occurred in the East Fork Rio Jemez, Rio San Antonio, and Indios Creek. Major fish kills have been documented in the Rio San Antonio and Indios Creek. Trout have been particularly severely affected with 95% or greater mortality. Native non-game fish have survived in somewhat greater numbers. Post-fire changes in water quality in the East Fork Rio Jemez have been measured using continuously measuring in situ instruments installed as part of the New Mexico EPSCoR project. Major responses to July and August precipitation events include increased turbidity, conductivity, phosphate, and nitrate. Impacts on the productivity and metabolism of the river are currently being assessed. In addition to the effects on fish populations and water chemistry, studies of the effects of the fire on the algal community, aquatic macrophytes, microbial activity, and benthic invertebrates also are ongoing. Climate change manifests itself in major changes to the terrestrial landscape of New Mexico. The New Mexico EPSCoR project is providing a very detailed picture of the effects of a major forest fire on the water quality, source of freshwater for the State of New Mexico.
Thank you to Dr. Cliff Dahm of the University of New Mexico for this article and the image above.

THE EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM TO STIMULATE COMPETITIVE RESEARCH QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER

Post-fire monsoon flow in the East Fork Rio Jemez

burned approximately 80% of one of our primary research catchments (East Fork Jemez). The fire burned with variable intensity throughout the catchment with forested areas generally seeing higher intensity fire. The primary research site along the East Fork Jemez was spared from the fire and provides excellent background information on water quality before the fire. New state-ofthe-art instrumentation in the East Fork Rio Jemez and the shallow groundwater system along the river offer the opportunity for detailed characterization of water quality before and after the Las Conchas fire. Post-fire impacts to streams and rivers have begun with the onset of the monsoons in late July of 2011. Massive erosion events

IN THIS ISSUE:
Spotlight on... NM EPSCoR partners with the SMNHC New Mexico Tech Outreach Kudos and Announcements

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enhancing research competitiveness is at the core of epSCoR.

New Mexico EPSCoR invests in climate, hydrology, water quality, cyberinfrastructure and socioeconomic research efforts.

Documentary on VCNp Features epSCoR Research

NM EPSCoR researchers, students and partners have been interviewed for valles Caldera: the Science by the Santa Fe Production Company.
Filmmaker Tim Aydelott is currently filming in the Valles Caldera and conducting interviews with EPSCoR researchers, including Dr. Laura Crossey (UNM) and Bob Parmenter, Preserve Scientist for the Valles Caldera Trust and NM EPSCoR partner. Dr. Crossey shared her research findings and experiences, while Bob has touched on the effects of the Las Conchas fire on the VCNP. The filmmakers have expressed that the ease of communication found in the interviews with the researchers has been most impressive. Some other memorable events that the filmmakers have mentioned include filming a herd of 200 elk during the height of the rut, an overnight time-lapse of stars reflected in a pond, and finding obsidian that was fractured by the fire. More information about the film will be forthcoming!

Clockwise from top: The camera crew takes in the landscape and EPSCoR grad student Lauren Sherson. Dr. Laura Crossey answers some interview questions. Bob Parmenter of the VCNP stands in front of a firedamaged area of the Preserve.

Spotlight on: Jevon harding

Jevon Harding is a New Mexico EPSCoR masters student in the Hydrology Program of the Earth and Environmental Sciences Department at New Mexico Tech. Originally from Slidell, Louisiana, she majored in Geosciences with a minor in Environmental Studies at Princeton University. After graduating in 2007, she worked at The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), an environmental research institute in New Delhi, India.
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Currently, she is working under NM EPSCoR researcher John Wilson on the hydrogeology and mountain block recharge of the Rio Hondo watershed in northern New Mexico. Her focus is distributed temperature sensing (DTS) and modeling deep groundwater flow in mountainous regions and its interactions with surface water. In her spare time, Jevon enjoys singing, soccer, and swimming.

education and Outreach through epSCoR

New Mexico EPSCoR supports education and outreach activities that contribute to New Mexico citizens understanding of climate science

The SMNHC provides unique, outdoor Ecology education to school groups and visitors of all ages
The Sandia Mountain Natural History Center (SMNHC) is an awardwinning environmental education center located on a beautiful 128-acre piece of pion-juniper forest in the Sandia Mountains just east of Albuquerque. A joint partnership between Albuquerque Public Schools and the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science (NMMNHS), the SMNHC teaches over 10,000 students a year about the interconnectedness of nature, and how to protect it. The center and its staff educate New Mexico students about ecology, ecosystems, the environment and conservation. The center also hosts teacher workshops on science and ecology. Through NM EPSCoRs partnership with the NMMNHS, tours provide information about climate change impacts on the ecosystem, and funding has been provided to the SMNHC for extra staff to give tours to school groups interested in the Ecology Field Programs. Recently, SMNHC employee Rosie Nor-

NM epSCoR partners with Sandia anton Chico Field Mountain Natural History Center Trip to the VCNp
lander led a group of 5th grade students from A. Montoya Elementary on the Ecology Field Program. The students followed Rosie on a 4-hour walking tour of the forest, learning about what an ecosystem is, the aspects of nature that join to create ecosystems, the different kinds of trees and wildlife in the Sandia Mountains, how to properly catalogue plants and animals, how to observe without disturbing any surroundings, and much more. For more information on the SMNHC, visit the NMMNHS website, http://www. nmnaturalhistory.org/smnhc.

Mrs. Watermillers 5th grade class from A. Montoya Elementary School

Earlier this year, NM EPSCoR announced funding availability for public school teachers to bring students to the Valles Caldera National Preserve (VCNP). The teachers must have participated in the Northern New Mexico Network Summer Teacher Institute in the summer of 2009, 2010, or 2010. Anton Chico Middle School was chosen out of five schools for the field trip. Kate Sanchez, a participant in the 2011 Summer Teacher Institute, brought her small class to the VCNP and met with educator Stacy Urich for a two day, one night stay at the VCNP Science and Education Center. Stacy led the group on field experiments and lessons; the students learned about water quality, animals, macro-invertebrates, the impact of the recent Las Conchas fire, the importance of the water-environment balance, and more. It was awesome that my students were able to have a hands-on experience like the one they had at Valles Caldera, Kate said of the experience. A big thanks to Stacy for providing such a unique experience to the students. For more information on the Summer Teacher Institute, visit NM EPSCoRs Education page, http://nmepscor.org/content/k-12. For information on the VCNP, visit their website, http://www.vallescaldera.gov.

The students take notes as they listen to Rosie explain the different kinds of trees to look for in the Sandias.

VCNP Educator Stacy Urich talks to Anton Chico students and their teacher Kate Sanchez about how to examine the forest floor for environmental changes.

Human Infrastructure is one of the key components of epSCoR

Activities in communication and public outreach help New Mexico EPSCoR foster excellence in climate change research and education

New Mexico Tech Outreach

Local elementary school students learn about water quality from NM EPSCoR graduate student Gus Tolley

Upcoming events
2011
December 1 Deadline for NM and Tri-State IWG Proposals December 23-January 2 NM EPSCoR State Office Closed for Winter Break

left to right: NM EPSCoR grad student Gus Tolley goes over water quality data with students at Cottonwood Valley. 4th and 5th graders used YSI meters to measure water quality, then recorded their data on paper.

2012
January 4-6 Junior Faculty Leadership Workshop VCNP Science & Education Center, Jemez Springs, NM January 26-27 K-12 Tri-State Cyberlearning Summit INVITATION ONLY Jemez Springs, NM April 3-5 4th Annual Tri-State Meeting More information forthcoming Sun Valley, ID

Graduate students from New Mexico Tech in Socorro, NM recently conducted water quality sampling with EPSCoRfunded equipment at Cottonwood Valley Charter School. The goal: To get students to compare and think about how water quality might differ between river water and drinking water, and to discover where their drinking water comes from. Working with 4th and 5th grade classes, NM EPSCoR student Gus Tolley and his colleagues Emily Woolsey and Jessie Hubbling sampled water fountains on school grounds using YSI meters that were purchased

with NM EPSCoR funding. The students visit the Rio Grande every month to test the water with basic testing kits, but this outreach activity gave students an opportunity to use sophisticated sampling equipment for the first time. Students were shown proper water sampling techniques, and once the data were collected, students presented the data in class and compared the data from the water fountains to the data from the river. The outreach was deemed a success by students and teachers, and another outreach visit will likely take place in Spring 2012.
Special thanks to Gus Tolley for the story & images.

2011-2012 Supercomputing Challenge Underway!

A record 432 New Mexico middle and high schoolers are participating in this years Supercomputing Challenge for students interested in learning to address real-world problems with computer modeling. The record-breaking participation at the Oct. 15-16 kickoff conference at New Mexico Tech was due in part to eight schools fielding Challenge teams for the first time. NM EPSCoR provided each track (math level) at the kickoff with a knowledgeable cadre member (coach) during the kickoff. Scientists from EPSCoR, Dr. Edward Martinez (NMHU) and Dr. Caiti Steele (NMSU), worked with students during the kickoff, and the cadre of experts from NM Tech and the University of New Mexico will continue working with teams throughout the year. These mentors are central players in helping this next generation of New Mexicos problem solvers as they take on the Challenge.
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This is the Challenges 22nd year a remarkable accomplishment for its directors, sponsors, and teachers statewide given that technology education programs come and go and funding has been reduced. For the full press release and more information on the Challenge, visit our website, http://nmepscor.org/content/k-12. The Supercomputing Challenge website, http://www.challenge.nm.org/, also has pictures and updates throughout the year.

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NM epSCoR Kudos, announcements & News

Mary Jo Daniel Wins NMSTA Service to Science Award!
The New Mexico Science Teachers Association (NMSTA) is dedicated to providing a network for educators throughout the state to work collaboratively towards improving science education from pre-kindergarten through college. A long-standing tradition of the NMSTA is to present an outstanding science educator from either the formal or informal education environment with the esteemed Service to Science Award. This years Service to Science Award was given to Mary Jo Daniel, Associate Director for NM EPSCoR. Mary Jo has been involved in science education in New Mexico for over 20 years and served as the State Science Specialist for the NM Public Education Dept. and Interim Bureau Chief for the PEDs Math and Science Bureau. She has taught in public schools as well as at the undergraduate and graduate levels and was the project manager on an NSF G-12 Program at UNM. She has a doctorate in Multicultural Childhood and Teacher Education from the University of New Mexico. Mary Jo has also served on the Executive board for New Mexico Science Teachers Association and is a past president. Mary Jo is also the State Coordinator for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching (PAEMST). The NMSTA assists classroom teachers to enhance science education by providing guidance and sharing strategies through professional development. For more information, visit their website, http://www.nmsta.org/. Congratulations, Mary Jo!

2012 Solicitation for Using CI for Education (UCIE)

The Using Cyberinfrastructure for Eduation (UCIE) program is designed to increase the impact of the NM EPSCoR C2-funded cyberinfrastructure enhancements on the education of students at the targeted institutions of the C2 grant as well as students at other post-secondary institutions with New Mexico Computing Applications Center (NMCAC) Education Gateway equipment installed. Participants in this program will develop course materials that make use of the enhanced connectivity resulting from the C2 award and/or the NMCAC Gateways installed at each of the institutions. Preference will be given for applications that include use of 3-D visualization capabilities of the NMCAC Gateway. Selected participants will also disseminate these course materials through workshops for faculty at their own and other institutions. Current (2011) UCIE projects under development are Computer and Network Security Fundamentals by Stephen Miller (ENMU Roswell), and 3-D Visualization Tools by Jonathan Hebert (NMSU Grants). The deadline is December 9. For the full Solicitation, visit our website: http:// nmepscor.org/content/c2-grant.

EPSCoR Ph.D. Student Wins EPA Fellowship Award!

EPAs STAR graduate fellowship program supports masters and doctoral candidates in environmental studies. Each year, students in the United States compete for STAR fellowships through a rigorous review process. This years award winner is NM Tech Ph.D. candidate Katrina Koski. Under EPSCoR researcher John Wilson, her research project seeks to test the hypothesis that hyporheic flow occurs in the sediments and porous limestone rock at the margin of karst conduits, which may have an important role in contaminant storage and transformation in karst aquifers, which supply 25% of the world with water. Benefits of an EPA STAR Fellowship include up to $42,000 per year, including $12,000 per year for tuition and fees. NM EPSCoR has helped Katrina with funding for equipment and instrumentation, and she is co-PI on a NM EPSCoR Infrastructure Seed Grant awarded to Din College. Congratulations, Katrina!

Katrina Koski (NMT)

Contribute to our Newsletter!

If you have an article, publication or story you would like to share with the EPSCoR Community, please email Natalie Willoughby, Public Information Representative, at nwilloughby@epscor.unm.edu. 5

University of New Mexico MSC04 2815 1312 Basehart Dr. SE Albuquerque, NM 87106

New Mexico epSCoR Contact Information

New Mexico EPSCoR State Office University of New Mexico MSC04 2815 1312 Basehart Dr. SE Albuquerque, NM 87106 phone: 505-814-7500 fax: 505-246-6007
Dr. William Michener Project Director (505) 814-7601 wmichene@unm.edu Dr. Mary Jo Daniel Associate Director (505) 814-7010 mjdaniel@unm.edu Natalie Willoughby
If you would like a printed copy of this newsletter, please email Natalie Willoughby with your name, affiliation and mailing address, and we will be happy to send one your way.

www.nmepscor.org

Public Information & Outreach Rep

(505) 814-7500 x. 8111 nwilloughby@epscor.unm.edu

New Mexico epSCoR is funded by the National Science Foundation. Our mission: to provide the critical gap infrastructure, computational support, and education and outreach opportunities that foster excellence in climate change research and education. For more information, please visit www.nmepscor.org. This material is supported in part by the National Science Foundation under Coop. Agreement EPS- 0814449. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.