Science   

Session II Add-On: Apr. 15
Tuesday 10:30 - 11:45 am
We will present basic biology of birds, how they are faring, and what we can do to help.
Instructor Amal Ajmi is currently a wildlife biologist at USFWS in Fairbanks. Amal came to Alaska for grad school and like many folk fell in love with the State and never left. Amal has worked and played all over the great State for over 30 years, focusing on birds and marine mammals.
 

Session I: Feb. 12, 19, 26, Mar. 5
Wednesdays 10:30 - 11:45 am
Pollinators provide essential services in most of Alaska’s wild landscapes, ensuring successful reproduction for many kinds of plants. This course will explore the amazing diversity of Alaska’s insect pollinators (it’s more than bees and butterflies), discuss some of the threats they face, and suggest things you can do to help wild pollinators thrive in your own neighborhood.
Instructor Jess Rykken is the Insect Collection Manager at the University of Alaska Museum of the North and previously worked for Denali National Park. Over the last dozen years she has conducted pollinator surveys all over the state. She enjoys sharing her passion for pollinators with all types of audiences.

Zoom Section

Session I: Feb. 12, 19, 26, Mar. 5
Wednesdays 10:30 - 11:45 am
Pollinators provide essential services in most of Alaska’s wild landscapes, ensuring successful reproduction for many kinds of plants. This course will explore the amazing diversity of Alaska’s insect pollinators (it’s more than bees and butterflies), discuss some of the threats they face, and suggest things you can do to help wild pollinators thrive in your own neighborhood.
Instructor Jess Rykken is the Insect Collection Manager at the University of Alaska Museum of the North and previously worked for Denali National Park. Over the last dozen years she has conducted pollinator surveys all over the state. She enjoys sharing her passion for pollinators with all types of audiences.

Session I: Feb. 12, 19, 26, Mar. 5
Wednesdays 3:45 - 5:00 pm
Science is tackling aging on a broad front. Not only is it seeking to cure the specific diseases of aging like heart disease, Alzheimer’s and kidney disease, it is searching for ways to slow, halt or even reverse aging. Aging has been successfully slowed in many animals and even reversed (temporarily) using advanced techniques. Even in humans! We will review where the science is today and where it might go tomorrow. Along the way, tips will be provided on how you can improve your life expectancy (hint: you already know a lot of them).
Instructor Ray Collins was raised in the Alaskan Bush. He has 3 degrees from UAF so far, and is now working on a PhD studying aging.

Zoom Section

Session I: Feb. 12, 19, 26, Mar. 5
Wednesdays 3:45 - 5:00 pm
Science is tackling aging on a broad front. Not only is it seeking to cure the specific diseases of aging like heart disease, Alzheimer’s and kidney disease, it is searching for ways to slow, halt or even reverse aging. Aging has been successfully slowed in many animals and even reversed (temporarily) using advanced techniques. Even in humans! We will review where the science is today and where it might go tomorrow. Along the way, tips will be provided on how you can improve your life expectancy (hint: you already know a lot of them).
Instructor Ray Collins was raised in the Alaskan Bush. He has 3 degrees from UAF so far, and is now working on a PhD studying aging.

Session I: Feb. 13, 20, 27, Mar. 6
Thursdays 10:30 - 11:45 am
Parasites are clever creatures that have evolved to invade all reaches, including the human body. We will discuss the basic biology, morphological features, life cycles, modes of reproduction, host-parasite interactions, methods of transmission, and pathology of parasites. Emphasis will be on human parasites worldwide, but especially those that will be encountered in Alaska.    
Instructor Janice Ott, UAF adjunct and retired high school biology teacher, has a passion for unusual things. She holds a M.S. in Biology with emphasis on Wildlife Disease.

THIS COURSE IS FULL. Please click the "Add to Waitlist" button below. 

Session I: Feb. 14, 21, 28, Mar. 7
Fridays 2:00 - 3:15 pm
How much do you know about that pipeline that runs through our Interior back yards? Why is some of it buried and other parts not? Why does it snake along? Learn these and many other fascinating facts about the pipeline's design, the pump stations, and Valdez Marine Terminal from a 30-year employee.
Instructor Janna Miller thought one or two years at Alyeska Pipeline after college graduation might be interesting. Before she knew it, they handed her a gold pan for 30 years of service.

THIS COURSE IS FULL. Please click the "Add to Waitlist" button below. 

Session I Add-On: Mar. 10
Mondays 2:00 - 3:15 pm
There is local, statewide, national and international interest in restoring wood bison to portions of their original range in Alaska. The history, biology, and future potential of Alaska wood bison restoration will be explained and explored.
Instructor Tom Seaton is the wood bison project biologist for Alaska. He led the first release of wood bison back into the wild in the USA in 2015, and has worked for Alaska Department of Fish and Game for 27 years.

Session II: Mar. 17, 24, 31, Apr. 7
Mondays 3:45 - 5:00 pm
Bears of the World, with an Alaskan focus for Naturalists. This class is for Naturalists presenting and assessing bears of the world in the context of Alaska. 
Instructor Falk Huettmann, PhD, is a Professor in the Biology and Wildlife Department, Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska-Fairbanks. His research interests are in wildlife/habitat modeling, GIS and remote sensing, and data management worldwide.

This course is FULL, please add yourself to the waitlist using the button below. 

Session II: Mar. 19, 26, Apr. 2, 9
Wednesdays 3:45 - 5:00 pm
Join us to learn about the numerous plants of Alaska! Basic Plant ID, native and non-native species, ways that invasives are being mitigated and how you can contribute to the native plant community. Enrollment limited to 25.
Instructors UAF PhD student Elizabeth Whitney and Fairbanks Soil and Water Natural Resource Specialist Hazel Berrios plan to take folks on a journey through Alaska, according to plants! Both individuals have 10 + years of cumulative plant and ecology experience to help guide students through the course.

This course is FULL, and the Waitlist is CLOSED. 

Session II: Mar. 20, 27, Apr. 3, 10
Thursdays 2:00 - 3:15 pm
How do ocean currents work? What forces lead to ocean currents? Will climate change alter ocean currents? This course will cover the three major drivers of ocean currents: tides, winds, and buoyancy, how they impact the ocean, and the role of climate change. No math, lots of pictures and diagrams!    Dr. Kay McMonigal researches the role of ocean currents in climate, using insight from ships and climate models.