FT 1 - SOLD OUT - Field Trip to the Historic Wind River Experimental Forest with the National Ecological Observatory Network Team

Trip Overview
Come explore the National Ecological Observatory Network’s (NEON) aquatic and terrestrial sites at the Wind River Experimental Forest! Known for its spectacular old growth Douglas fir and western hemlock stands, the Wind River Experimental Forest has a long history of ecology and forestry studies. The area has been home to forest reach since 1909, with many decades-long projects continuing to this day. Now, NEON is contributing to that history through providing long-term ecological data from its aquatic and terrestrial sites housed within the experimental forest managed by the Pacific Northwest Research Station of the United States Forest Service. NEON is a continental-scale observation facility funded by the National Science Foundation that provides free and open ecological data to better understand how U.S. ecosystems are changing. NEON data cover a wide range of subject areas within ecology, including organismal observations, biogeochemistry, remote sensing, and micrometeorology. Some datasets already span several years of data collection. In this field trip, attendees will learn about the NEON program by touring NEON’s sites at the Wind River Experimental Forest, approximately 60 miles northwest of Portland. Participants will experience hands-on demonstrations of aquatic and terrestrial protocols and instrumentation collections. For example, participants will hike to NEON sensor installations and interact with equipment used for NEON observational data collection, including mosquito and small mammal traps. Additionally, NEON staff will be on-hand to discuss opportunities for participants to utilize NEON infrastructure and data for research, education, and outreach at NEON sites at the Wind River Experimental Forest and across the US. All ages are welcome to participate. Please be aware of the following conditions that could be encountered on the field trip: light hiking, and sun, rain, and wind exposure at times. For more information on the NEON program please visit https://www.neonscience.org/.

Equipment and Attire
Closed toed, sturdy hiking boots/shoes; rain jacket; sun hat; water bottle; sunscreen.

Field trip fee - $75