In This Issue: Letter from the Chair Pg. 1 What in the World Fall/Winter 2011-2012 Newsletter Geography Awarness Week Pg. 2

“Geography is a Field Discipline” Pg. 2 Letter from the Chair

National Geographic Internship Pg. 3 Dear Alumni and Friends of Geography Notably, Caroline McClure completed a at the Univeristy of , NGS internship during the spring semester Regional AAG Meeting in Denver Pg. 3 2011 (see page 3).

Awards and Recognitions Pg. 4 Greetings from Laramie and the Department The graduate program in geography at UW of Geography at the University of Wyoming! is also thriving. This year eleven new MA UW Geographers in Ethiopia Pg. 5 As you will see while reading this students joined the program coming from newsletter, the Department Donor Challenge Pg. 6 around the of Geography at UW and world. We have two Recent Faculty Publications Pg. 7 continues to be active new students from Nepal, in its teaching, research and another from Thailand. Faculty Highlights Pg. 8 and service missions. Additionally, students from We are fortunate to have Michigan, Illinois, Colorado Heart Pg. 9 a dedicated faculty, and Oklahoma as well knowledgeable staff and as Wyoming joined our great students. Confirming departmental community. this statement is the number A new class of this size and of awards and recognitions diversity is a testament to received over the past few the quality of our faculty months by our departmental and their willingness to community. develop strong mentoring relationships with our Last spring three of our incoming students. We graduate students, Richard are currently reviewing Vercoe, Suzette Savoie, applications for next year, and Alexa Dugan, were Professor and Chair, Gerald R. Webster and our pool of applicants on the Great Plains-Rocky is again both large and Mountain Division’s World diverse. Geography Bowl Team that won the national competition in Seattle (see page 4). This year If you have contacted the Department graduate student Jill Ottman was one of the recently, you may have chatted with Ms. five high scorers at the regional competition Adrienne Szabady. Adrienne joined the and was placed on the divisional team to Department this past fall semester and participate in the national competition in will be in charge of processing graduate New York this spring. Also four faculty applications, coordinating teaching members Dr. Deborah Paulson, Dr. and advising evaluations, and helping Jacqueline Shinker, Dr. Steve Prager, with the development of departmental and Dr. Roberta Webster have recently publications. Adrienne has several received teaching awards (see page 4). Also years of experience working on the UW in early December we were notified that campus, and we are very fortunate to two of our undergraduates had received have her in our main office see( page 5). View from of Glacial highly competitive National Geographic Moraine of the Lake Marie Area Society Internships. Pamela Bolan is in I am also pleased to announce that Washington, D.C. for the spring semester Dr. Jacqueline Shinker successfully John “Mac” Blewer Photo 2012 interning at NGS, and Benjamin navigated the tenure and promotion Kessler will follow in the fall 2012 semester. process last spring. As many of you

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know, Dr. Shinker is an outstanding to present the findings of their research teacher and mentor, and we are very projects. This past fall six of our students GEOGRAPHY IS A pleased we will benefit from her efforts presented research papers at two different in coming years. professional meetings, and another six FIELD DISCIPLINE did so during the spring semester. I I would also like to thank the many attend many of these presentations, and By Dr. John Patrick Harty financial donors to the Department over our students not only reflect well upon the past year. The Department is indeed themselves, but also the Department and fortunate to have friends and alumni the University of Wyoming. Geography is a field discipline. This was willing to make regular contributions a lesson repeatedly emphasized through to support our efforts to provide a well- If you have questions about the the years by my favorite instructors. I rounded educational experience for our Department, please feel free to contact remember counting tree rings on a students. These funds are critical to me via email ([email protected]) cloudy autumn day, taking stream accomplishing our instructional mission, or phone (307-766-3311). If you are measurements in the dead of winter and are used to support class field trips and in Laramie, please feel free to visit the (yes, it was cold!), and visiting historic to supplement the costs of student travel Department – we always enjoy chatting mining districts on a hot summer day. to professional meetings. Geography with our alumni and supporters. Seeing the discipline in action made a is a “field science” and we believe it is lasting impression and made me want to of great educational value to have our Sincerely, explore more of the world around me. students visit nearby sites that are the topics of class lectures. We also impress As an instructor, it is now my turn to pass upon our students the value of becoming the torch of lessons learned in the field professionally active, which frequently Professor Gerald R. Webster, Chair onto the next generation of geographers. means traveling to professional meetings My classes venture into the field on a weekly basis to discuss readings and how the findings can be applied to the local landscape. Our “field walks” (as they are referred to in my classes) include site visits as diverse as St. Lawrence Geography Club and O’Toole Catholic Church (symbolic landscape), Second Story Bookstore Geography Awareness Week (historic landscape (a former brothel)), and Vedauwoo (experiential landscape). By Dr. Carl Legleiter These adventures teach the students that geography is by no means a discipline In April 2011, the University of The biggest event of the fall semester, confined to classroom discussions, but Wyoming’s chapter of the Gamma as usual, was Geography Awareness is instead dynamic and very much alive. Theta Upsilon geographical honor Week, with a theme of “Adventure society inducted several new members – in your Local Community.” The My hope is that these students will congratulations to all of them! Last fall, week’s events were a major success revisit the lessons learned in the field the Geography Club was very active, and included presentations by (1) UW and forever remember that the world benefitting from the able leadership of alum and current National Geographic outside our door is a big one, one that co-presidents Lacey Johnsen and Paul photographer Joe Rees on his travels continually calls on us to explore. Sandler Jr., along with faculty sponsors around the world, including a recent trip John Harty and Carl Legleiter. The to Mongolia; (2) Geography alum Zach Geography Club sent a large contingent Orenczak on the cartography of rock- to the AAG Regional Meeting in Denver, climbing, featuring Vedauwoo and other including a team that competed in the nearby routes; and (3) a discussion on College of Arts and Sciences Geography Bowl. Graduate student Jill community mapping and the Laramie Ottman was one of the top performers Atlas project hosted by WyGISC. The in the Bowl and competed for the Great highlight of the week was the Geography Commencement Plains/Rocky Mountain regional team Bowl, held in the Union Gardens, and Saturday, May 5, 2012 at the national meeting in New York. featuring 16 highly competitive teams. 1:30 p.m. Arena Auditorium Fund-raising activities included T-shirt The Geography Club remains an active sales (bright yellow and featuring our and vibrant part of the Department and a great Geography Department cowboy/ great opportunity for our students to get North America logo) and Geography involved. nights at McCallister’s and Arby’s.

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WGA welcomes Great Plains/Rocky Mountain Divisional Caroline McClure Meeting

back from D.C.! The annual meeting of the GP/RM Yi-Ling Chen, “Housing Affordability Division of the AAG was held in Crises and the Housing Movement in Denver, Colorado, October 6-8, 2011. Taiwan.” The program included 60 papers, sixteen posters and two panels. The Department was well represented by both faculty and students. Eleven students attended the meeting with three presenting research papers and the remaining students participating on the World Geography Bowl. Graduate student Jill Ottman was one of In Spring 2011, Caroline McClure was granted one of the coveted internships with the National Geographic Society. She was given the opportunity to be one of nine geography interns at National Geographic to work in the National Clock wise from top-left: TJ Gajda, Alyssa Enghadi, Jim Geographic Education Foundation and Stafford, JoshGunderman, Heyer, Upendra Julia Stuble, Bom, Trishaand Mac Pettigrew, Blewer. Hannah the Education Programs offices. Caroline worked on the Hill Day reports, a one page document that explains the impact of the John Blewer, “Artifacts of a Vanished, state Alliances on education as well as on Contested Landscape: The Heart Mountain their achievements, events, and outreach Barracks of Park County, Wyoming.” efforts. These documents are part of a “Teaching Geography is Fundamental Gerald R. Webster, “The Sanctification Act” packet that are distributed to all of the Washita Massacre Site.” Alliance Coordinators during their annual meeting on Capitol Hill to meet with John Patrick Harty, “Tracking the Hannah Gunderman (left) and Trisha Pettigrew state representatives. She also directly Footsteps of Legends: Determining the Origins of Paul Bunyan Folklore.” assisted with the Alliance Coordinators (right) Meeting and helped build the “Speak Up For Geography” campaign site (http:// speakupforgeography.org), which is an the high scorers in the bowl, and was outreach for the Teaching Geography is a member of the divisional team at the Fundamental Act. national meeting in New York City in Caroline was given the opportunity to late February. learn about the grant writing and awarding The following research presentations were process as well as how the Alliances from made by members of the Department: all over the country function individually and within the National Geographic Joshua Fredrickson, “Hydroclimatic Alliance Network. She is excited about Variability and Drought in the Headwaters her experience at National Geographic of the Green River.” and while living in D.C. and is ready to share those ideas with the members of Johsua Heyer, Joshua Frederickson the Wyoming Geographic Alliance! and Jacqueline J. Shinker, “An Investigation of Climatic Controls During Low Stream-Flow Years in the Josh Heyer Upper Laramie River Watershed.”

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Awards - Recognitions -Presentations Geography Bowl Winners New Ph.D.

Graduate students Richard Vercoe, Suzette Savoie, and Alexa Former UW Master’s degree, student Tyra Olstad, recently Dugan were members of the 2011 Great Plains/Rocky Mountain finished her Ph.D. at Kansas State University. Dr. Olstad’s Division’s World Geography Bowl team which won the national dissertation was entitled “Zen of the Plains: Journeys through competition at the Seattle AAG meeting in April 2011. Parks, Prairies, and Self.” Professor Kevin Blake, formerly a UW faculty member, served as her advisor at KSU.

Conference Presentations

Graduate student Beth Spencer and Professor Bill Baker presented a paper entitled “Using GIS and GLO Surveys to Reconstruct Historical Fire Regimes in Sagebrush,” at the 24th annual GIS in the Rockies Conference in Denver in August 2011. At the same conference, graduate student Paul Arendt and Professor Bill Baker presented a paper entitled “Using GIS to Measure Landscape Dynamics over the Past Century in a Semi-Arid Woodland, Colorado/Utah, U.S.A.”

From left to right, Richard Vercoe, Suzette Savoie and Alexa Dugan. Outstanding Teaching Awards

Four members of the faculty received teaching awards this past National Geographic Society Interns year. Dr. Deb Paulson and Dr. Roberta (Bobbi) Webster received Promoting Intellectual Engagement (PIE) awards. Once again UW Geography will be represented at the NGS PIE awards are sponsored by LearN, the Ellbogen Center for in Washington, D.C. Geography undergraduate students, Teaching and Learning, and Resident Life and Dining and Pam Bolan and Benjamin Kessler, were awarded National “honor outstanding faculty who inspire students intellectually Geographic Society internships this year. Pam will spend spring in first year courses.” Additionally, both Dr. Steve Prager and semester at the NGS, followed by Ben in the fall semester. Dr. Jacqueline (J.J.) Shinker received Thumbs-Up Awards, which are given by the College of Arts and Sciences Student Council in “recognition of outstanding positive contributions to the University.” Lifetime Achievement Award

Professor Jerry Webster received the Lifetime Achievement award from the Southeastern Division of the Association of American Geographers (SEDAAG) this past November. The award is given annually to a nominee with an extensive record of research and publication, a record of excellence in teaching and advising, and service to academic organizations and the discipline of geography.

Tenure and Promotion

Congratulations to Dr. Jacqueline (J.J.) Shinker who was recently promoted to Associate Professor and granted tenure. Pictured from left to right: Dr. Roberta (Bobbi) Webster, Dr. Jacqueline (J.J.) Shinker, Dr. Steve Prager, and Dr. Deb Paulson Photo by Jerry Webster

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UW Geographers in Ethiopia Story and Photo by Dr. Steve Prager Geography is a discipline that allows for example, people grow a variety of global environmental change is adding us to look at challenging issues from crops ranging from teff (a local grain) a great deal of uncertainty to an already multiple perspectives. As geographers, to maize, peppers, millet and much uncertain and often unpredictable we often borrow ideas agricultural process. and understanding from one place and use that In Ethiopia, as in as context to understand Wyoming, geographers pressing issues in are playing an important another location. Our role in helping to work often takes us understand how our abroad and our breadth environment is changing of understanding of and how people can best complex issues increases respond to these changes accordingly. given local, regional and global contexts. In the This summer, Dr. Steven Blue Nile Basin, Dr. Prager and two graduate Prager, Ryan, Jason and students traveled to two Ethiopian students Ethiopia to work on a collected data in an effort collaborative research to understand social- project with members of ecological feedbacks the International Water and the role of such Management Institute. feedbacks in relation The two students, Ryan to improving water Anderson of Geography management practices and Jason Edwards and increasing resilience of the UW Program in to environmental change. Ecology, were able to Ryan Anderson, one of Dr. Prager’s graduate students, conducting field surveys in a watershed near Wereta, Amhara, experience first hand Ethiopia Ryan and Jason are living and working two among a growing in the beautiful and number of students challenging countryside of the Ethiopian more. These crops are produced using learning and applying geographic skills highlands and the Blue Nile Basin. rain-fed agricultural techniques; either in an international setting. This is just not enough or too much rain can cause one emphasis in the Department of Just as water is an important issue an entire crop to fail with devastating Geography and we welcome inquiries to the State of Wyoming, water is consequences. Farmers in this region related international opportunities or any incredibly important to people living are thus intimately connected to the of our other areas of distinction. throughout Ethiopia. In the highlands, global environment and, consequently,

New Staff: Adrienne Szabady

Greetings! I joined the Department Gregory, of 10 years and our 2 of Geography as an office cats. I have a son who currently assistant in July 2011, moving lives in Tucson, AZ with his over from the Music Department wife and my granddaughter with where I worked for 7 years as a second granddaughter on the an assistant to the Bands. I am way. My hobbies include quilting, originally from Philadelphia and gardening and camping in our moved to Laramie in 1977. I live homemade teardrop trailer. in town with my husband, David

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Donor Challenge Dr. Roy J. Shlemon, a member of course visited Medicine Bow due in New York this spring. These the Arts and Sciences Board of to its centrality to Owen Wister’s are wonderful experiences for Visitors and frequent benefactor The Virginian. On another recent our students and the Department to the University of Wyoming, field trip, biogeography students would like to expand its efforts traveled to Rocky Mountain to provide even greater support has generously donated $1,000 National Park, and we hope to in the future. Dr. Shlemon would to the Department’s general fund. have our fluvial geomorphology like this donation to be a challenge These dollars will be dedicated students travel to nearby sites to other potential donors among to support class field trips and to in the Snowy Range. The our alumni and friends. We supplement the financial needs Department is also pleased that would be honored to receive any of students presenting their we aided five students to present donations, no matter their size, research at professional meetings. research papers at the Association towards matching Dr. Shlemon’s Recently, for example, students of American Geographers meeting wonderful contribution. in Dr. Harty’s Images of the West

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Recent Faculty Publications

Bill Baker meandering, gravel-bed river,” Water Resources Research, 47(W04513): doi: Williams, M.A. and W.L. 10.1029/2009wr008926. Baker, 2011. “Testing the accuracy of new methods for reconstructing historical Legleiter, C.J., Kyriakidis, P.C., structure of forest landscapes using GLO McDonald, R.R., and Nelson, J.M., survey data,” Ecological Monographs, 2011. “Effects of uncertain topographic 81:63-88. input data on two-dimensional flow modeling in a gravel- bed river,” Water Banks, E.R. and W.L. Baker, Resources Research, 47(W03518): 2011. “Scale and pattern of cheatgrass doi:10.1029/2010WR009618. (Bromus tectorum) invasion in Rocky Mountain National Park,” Natural Areas Legleiter, C.J., Harrison, L.R., and Journal, 31:377-390. Dunne, T., 2011. “Effect of point bar Gribb, W. 2011, 3-D Land Use development on the local force balance Baker, W. L. 2011. “Pre-Euro-American Downtown Laramie, WY: Inventory and governing flow in a simple, meandering and recent fire in sagebrush ecosystems,” pp. 185- Sustainability 2009, Report to City of Laramie, gravel-bed river,” Journal of Geophysical 201 In: S.T. Knick and J.W. Connelly (editors). Final report, pp. 95. Research — Earth Surface, 116(F01005): Greater sage-grouse: ecology and conservation doi:10.1029/2010JF001838. of a landscape species and its habitats. Studies Gribb, W. 2011. 3rd Street Project Land in Avian Biology, University of California Press, Use, Transportation and Landscape Inventory Steve Prager Berkeley, CA. Laramie, Wyoming, Report to City of Laramie, Final Report, pp. 117. Prager, S.D., and Barber, J.J., 2011. Connelly, J.W., C.E. Braun. S.T. Knick, “Modeling unobserved true position using W.L. Baker, E.A. Beever, T.J. Christiansen, Gribb, W. and H. Harlow, 2011. multiple sources and information semantics,” K.E. Doherty, E.O. Garton, S.E. Hanser, D.H. Determination of Central Foraging Strategies International Journal of Geographical Johnson, M. Leu, R.F. Miller, D.E. Naugle, S.J. and Location of Beaver (Castor canadensis) Information Science, http://www.tandfonline. Oyler-McCance, D.A. Pyke, K.P. Reese, M.A. in National Park, Report to U.S. com/doi/abs/10.1080/13658816.2011.568485. Schroeder, S.J. Stiver, B.L. Walker, and M.J. National Park Service, Final Report, pp.7. Wisdom, 2011. “Conservation of Greater sage- Gasch, C., Enloe, S.F., Collier, T.R., and grouse: a synthesis of current trends and future Dangi, T. and W. Gribb, 2011. Prager, S.D., 2011. “A GIS-based method for the management,” pp. 549-563. In: S.T. Knick and Ecotourism and Sustainable Development: analysis of digital Rhizotron root images,” Plant J.W. Connelly (editors). Greater sage-grouse: Management Strategies of Rocky Mountain Root 5:69-78. ecology and conservation of a landscape species National Park, Report to Rocky Mountain and its habitats. Studies in Avian Biology, National Park, Final Report, pp. 87. Jerry Webster University of California Press, Berkeley, CA. Gribb, W. 2011. City of Laramie Trails, Brunn, S.D., Webster, G.R., Morrill, Bill Grib Parks and Recreation: Goals and Sustainability R.L., Shelley, F., Lavin, S. and Archer, J.C., Indicators Project Report, Report to City of Eds., 2011. Atlas of the 2008 Elections, Boulder: Gribb, W. 2011. “City and Regional Laramie, Draft Report, pp. 114. Rowman and Littlefield. Planning,” in 21st Century Geography: A Reference Handbook, pp. 325-336. Ed. J.P. Gribb, W. 2011. Laramie County Webster, Gerald R. 2011. “American Stoltman, Sage Publications. Project Report: Environmental Plan Goals and Nationalism and the Invasion of Iraq,” Sustainability Indicators, Report to Laramie Geographical Review, 101(1): 1-18. Gribb, W. 2011. “Using GIS to Evaluate County, WY Planning Commission, Draft Report, Community Sustainability Indices: The Case pp. 124. Webster, Gerald R. 2011. “‘Guard Your of Laramie, WY, USA., In: Proceedings of the Revolution’: Comments on the Arab Spring International Geographic Union, Electronic Carl Legleiter Essays,” Arab World Geographer, 14(2): 53-58. Version. Legleiter, C.J., Kinzel, P.J. and Quinton, Nicholas and Webster, Gerald Gribb, W. 2011. book review, Overstreet, B.T., 2011. “Evaluating the potential R. 2011. “Electoral Alignments and Place-Based McPherson, R.S., 2011, As if the Land Owned for remote bathymetric mapping of a turbid, sand- Cleavages in Statewide Referenda in Alabama,” Us: An Ethnohistory of the White Mesa Utes, bed river: 1. Field spectroscopy and radiative in Revitalizing Electoral Geography, Editors Salt Lake City: The University of Utah Press, transfer modeling,” Water Resources Research, Barney Warf and Jonathan Leib, pp. 195-218. electronic review, Choice Magazine. 47(W09531): doi:10.1029/2011WR010591. Aldershot, UK: Ashgate.

Gribb, W. 2011. book review, Woods, Legleiter, C.J., Kinzel, P.J. and Webster, Gerald R. and Leib, Jonathan M., Rural, London: Routledge, electronic review, Overstreet, B.T., 2011. “Evaluating the potential for I., 2011. “Living on the Grid: The U.S. Choice Magazine. remote bathymetric mapping of a turbid, sand-bed Rectangular Public Land Survey System and the river: 2. Application to hyperspectral image data Engineering of the American Landscape,” in S.D. Gribb, W. and G. Hassler, 2011. Outer from the Platte River,” Water Resources Research, Brunn, Editor, Earth Engineering, pp. 2123-2138. Limits and Beyond: The Impacts of Metro- 47(W09532): doi:10.1029/2011WR010592. Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer. Seattle’s UGB on Rural Communities-AAG Field Trip Guide, Report to Association of American Harrison, L.R., Legleiter, C.J., Brunn, Stanley D., Webster, Gerald Geographers, Final Report, pp. 37. Wydzga, A., and Dunne, T., 2011. “Channel R. and Archer, J. Clark. 2011. “The Bible Belt: dynamics and habitat development in a Shrinking, Relocating and Multiple Buckles,” Southeastern Geographer, 51(4): 513-549.

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Faculty Highlight: Dr. Carl Legleiter

Following a record snowpack in the winter measurements and to continue a long-term on the river below the new dam. of 2010-2011, third-year assistant professor tracer study that involves relocating tagged Dr. Carl J. Legleiter was concerned about sediment particles to determine how far After that, the two researchers drove down to his prospects for field work due to the high they move during each spring’s snowmelt. Colorado for a couple of days of surveying, streamflows he was sure would velocity measurement, and optical result from the prolonged runoff. data collection at the confluence Fortunately, Legleiter was granted of the Blue and Colorado Rivers, a research semester for Fall 2011 again with an eye toward mapping and was able to extend his field channel attributes from remotely season into October after the rivers sensed data. From there, Legleiter had receded to safer levels. and Overstreet flew to Minnesota to conduct experiments at a unique Working closely with graduate “Outdoor Stream Lab” facility. students Brandon Overstreet Data collection for this study and Chip Rawlins, Legleiter focused on documenting the effects first traveled to the Snake River of water surface roughness and in Grand Teton National Park in suspended sediment concentration late August and early September. on the reflectance characteristics The research involved making field of a small meandering channel. measurements of water depth, flow velocity, and optical characteristics These projects were supported by to support the analysis of satellite grants from the Office of Naval images that were acquired at the Research, the Wyoming Water same time. Legleiter is now using Dr. Carl Legleiter (left) and graduate student Brandon Overstreet (right) conduct research Development Commission, and the these images to produce continuous on the Snake River in Grand Teton National Park Visitor Program at the St. Anthony maps of water depth that highlight Photo provided by Carl Legleiter Falls Laboratory. Legleiter and changes in channel morphology that occurred Legleiter’s father Floyd also helped out Overstreet are pleased to have collected such during the spring of 2011. during this stage of the field season. After a a massive amount of data in such a short quick stop at home, Legleiter and Overstreet amount of time last fall, and the analysis He and Overstreet next moved on to completed some topographic surveys along is now underway - stay tuned for more Yellowstone National Park’s Soda Butte Savery Creek, where they are studying the results from this dynamic research duo! Creek, the site of Legleiter’s dissertation effects of a reservoir completed in 2005 research, to make a similar set of Faculty Highlight: Dr. Jacqueline J. Shinker

Having lived in many corners of the U.S. resources (especially in the West), necessary and several graduate and undergraduate from Southern California to the East Coast, for agriculture, energy production, recreation, students in the Climate Lab. We use a variety from the South to the Southwest and from as well as personal and natural consumptive of data sources including climate station the Pacific Northwest to the Midwest, I can use. Wyoming is a great place to study and gridded model data to identify dry years honestly say, I really love the Intermountain climate variations and trends that impact in the past. By mapping a suite of climate West the best! The , huge horizon water resources. variables associated with dry conditions, lines, big clear skies, and yes, even the we can identify the spatial controls in the wind and snow all make for a great place The mountains in Wyoming area are a great climate system that lead to those conditions. to live and work (as a climatologist I really laboratory for my climate research, because like the weather here)! the snow that falls in the mountains acts This approach contributes to collaborative as natural reservoirs for the headwaters to work with UW Geologists interested in My research in the Geography Department the Green-Colorado, Snake-Columbia and understanding the climate mechanisms focuses on understanding how atmospheric Platte-Missouri river basins in the U.S. that lead to low lake levels and with UW and surface conditions lead to drought. Understanding how that precipitation in the Botanists interested in the climatic controls Since climate variability impacts snowfall, mountains varies over time and what are of vegetation change. Additionally, I am precipitation, temperature, and in turn some of the causes of changes in precipitation building research connections with UW streamflow and water availability, and and subsequent water resources is a major researchers in Agriculture Economics who with water being one of our most valuable component of ongoing research by myself are interested in understanding the role of

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...Continued from last page

changing temperatures on water resources identifying the role of changing temperatures with a National Geographic Internship). to incorporate into water consumption on early stream flow runoff in the North Next time you look towards the mountains and farm adaptation strategies. Current Platte by McNair Scholar Josh Heyer; in Wyoming, think about the role that ongoing work in the Climate Lab includes and the impact that El Nino and La Nina climate plays in snowfall, precipitation understanding climatic controls of low-flow events have on the position of the jet stream and water resources and ask yourself a years in the headwaters of the Colorado (that delivers winter storms to our region) simple question…. Got Water? River by Geography-Water Resources by undergraduate Pam Bolan (who is graduate student, Josh Fredrickson; currently on leave in Washington, D.C.

The Barracks of Heart Mountain, Wyoming: Vanishing Structures of a Contested Landscape Story By Mac Blewer

During WW II, the U.S. Government of views regarding the site, the buildings’ imprisoned 110,000 Japanese Americans presence has helped focus attention on a in ten camps across the U.S., including common living structure, an enduring Wyoming’s Heart Mountain, as part of an reminder of the area’s history. States Dr. ill-thought out policy to bolster domestic Eric Sandeen, “Undoubtedly, the presence security. After 1945, the Camp’s barracks of these structures has been essential in were sold and used by homesteaders, mostly helping the community embrace its past veterans, as residences and ranch structures, while forging ahead with the creation of some left intact, and others sectioned into a new identity. Additionally, the barracks fragments. Until recently, the fate of the can teach future generations about the barracks was a mystery except to some hardships experienced by the prisoners locals. and the homesteaders.” Barrack being moved from Heart Mountain Camp to a Homesteading Family’s Property - Photo courtesy of the Shoshone Irrigation District Over the last year, as part of a collaborative These populations came from different project between the Geography Department, that are nearly impossible to identify due states but the challenges that they faced the American Studies Program and the Heart to the alterations’ scope. were similar to the harsh weather and Mountain Wyoming Foundation research was sparse living conditions. Therefore these conducted in the communities around Heart These structures are some of the only structures can be viewed as symbols of Mountain. Barracks were photographed, vestiges of the original camp. Although endurance and perseverance. mapped via GPS and current occupants Heart Mountain is still a “contested were interviewed. landscape,” with locals holding a myriad The barracks can also be viewed as structures of pride. Many of the prisoners The camp originally contained over 400 constructed gardens and other barracks barracks. To date, approximately sixty “beautification” projects. And for the barracks and barrack fragments have homesteaders who built homes from been located. Although many have been them they represent a time of ingenuity. considerably altered, tell-tale signs can be States Arley George, “each homestead used in their identification: 1) the presence of has its unique history.… I’m really external features such as original nine-pane proud of my parents for what they’ve windows, 2) their structural dimensions done. For what they’ve built here and and 3) internal woodwork. the fact that they’ve stayed with it and didn’t give up.” The barracks can be classified into three categories: 1)Classic Barracks – structures that have With many of these structures falling into retained their original characteristics; 2) disrepair or being destroyed, decisive Altered Barracks – structures that were built action needs to be taken to further record View of Heart Mountain with Internment Camp Memorials to out of barracks’ parts or structurally altered, Prisoners in Foreground and preserve this vanishing part of a and 3) “Mystery Barracks” – structures Photo by Mac Blewer valuable cultural landscape. Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Laramie, Wyoming 82071 Department of Geography Permit #75 Dept. 3371 1000 E. University Avenue Laramie Wyoming 82071

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What in the World is a publication of the University of Wyoming Department of Geography. The Spring 2012 edition was compiled by Mr. Kyle Graves and Dr. Bobbi Webster with contributions from faculty, staff, students and alumni. For further information or to submit news items for publication, please contact Barbara Powell at [email protected].

University of Wyoming Department of Geography Dept. 3371 1000 E. University Avenue A&S Building Room 207 Laramie Wyoming 82071 307 766-3311

Looking Up Towards Medicine Bow Peak During U.W. Geography Club Hike John “Mac” Blewer Photo