Celebrating a Record Breaking Winter! Mountain weather is famously unpredictable, with storms rolling in at a moment’s notice and one part of a mountain experiencing sleet while others nearby get rain or snow. Even small changes in elevation can impact the type of precipitation received from the same storm. Scientists are learning more about how winter storms change across time and space thanks to Mountain Rain or Snow, a NASA-funded partnership between DRI, UNR, Lynker, and thousands of community members across the country. Read the full story about how getting involved has shaped the future of storm forecasting - link in bio #CitizenScience #NASA #UNR #Lynker #MountainRainorSnow
What are the dangers, truths, and meanings that often remain just out of sight? Join us for #CuriosityLab What Lies Beneath: Stories of Obscured Truths and Quiet Dangers where we invite you to explore the hidden risks, overlooked details, and subtle forces that shape how we move through the world.
📅 May 20 | 6:30 p.m.
📍 DRI Reno Campus
🎟️ bit.ly/clwhatliesbeneath #LinkinBio
Featuring insights from DRI’s Justin Toller, anthropologist Dr. Kendra Isable, and musician Ryland Gower, come discover how looking closer—and looking differently—can transform what we think we know about the world and our place within it.
Refreshments & cocktails from @10torr.reno will be provided.
Presented in partnership with @Nevada_Humanities & 10 Torr Distillery and Brewery
We had a great time at the Mother’s Day Farmer’s Market last weekend! We provided hands on energy and aviation activities for families to explore! 💐💡✈️
In April, lawmakers in Maine passed a bill that would have created the first statewide moratorium on data centers. While Governor Janet Mills later vetoed the measure, the proposal highlights a growing national debate over how and where these facilities should be built.
In Northern Nevada, that conversation is already playing out. As more projects are proposed across the region, attention has shifted to regulation and long-term impacts. Others argue the risks may be exaggerated.
Erik Hentzel and Sean McKenna with the Desert Research Institute have been tracking the rapid growth of data centers in Nevada. Their research shows that newer cooling systems can reduce direct water use. They point to the scale of energy demand that could strain the state’s power grid.
As other states explore restrictions or pauses, Nevada is still balancing economic benefits with long-term impacts on its grid, water and communities.
Hear more at KUNR.org or click the link in our bio. #datacenter #northernnevada @driscience
🎙️Reporting by KUNR intern, James Perez
📷 Kaleb Roedel / Mountain West News Bureau
DRI Climatologist Dan McEvoy shared his perspective on challenges and opportunities for communicating water information on a panel for the Western States Water Council 2026 Washington DC Roundtable. The meeting provided a space for meaningful exchanges with the federal agency Water Policy Committee, Congressional staff from key authorizing committees and federal science and data leadership. #ScienceThatMattersNow
“Have you ever wondered what it would be like to raise a family where the threat of landmines is constant?”
Meet DRI's Justin Toller, featured storyteller at #CuriosityLab: What Lies Beneath. As a geophysicist, Justin works to detect hidden dangers beneath the surface—applying science to real-world challenges where unseen risks can have life-altering consequences.
👉 Don’t miss this powerful perspective—secure your spot and experience the stories that can transform what we think we know about the world and our place within it.
📅 May 20 | 6:30 p.m.
📍 DRI Reno Campus
🎟️ Get tickets: bit.ly/clwhatliesbeneath #LinkinBio
Refreshments & cocktails from @10torr.reno will be provided.
Presented in partnership with @Nevada_Humanities & 10 Torr Distillery and Brewery
Ongoing research in collaboration with the Desert Research Institute (DRI) and the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) might reveal how much microplastics are polluting the once pristine lake.
Monica Arienzo, an associate research professor in the division of hydrologic sciences at the Desert Research Institute, said microplastics originate from various sources that are difficult to identify. However, he said that the plastic pollution issue has one major solution.
“I believe that the best thing we can do to reduce plastic pollution and microplastics in our waterways, in our environment, is to eliminate the use of plastics,” Arienzo said.
The City of South Lake Tahoe banned single-use water bottles for commercial vendors in April 2024. Laura Patten, the natural resource director at Keep Tahoe Blue (KTB), said installing water refill stations around South Lake Tahoe and educating nearby businesses about the policy are part of the effort.
Click the link in our bio or visit KUNR.org to hear more. @driscience@keeptahoeblue #laketahoe #keeptahoeblue #microplastics
🎙️Reporting by KUNR intern, Malory Shaw @malorynshaw
📷 Kat Fulwider / KUNR
Science in action at Wasatch Academy! 🌎📈
We recently welcomed Desert Research Institute (DRI) representative Dale Anderson to campus for the installation of an earthquake detection device on campus. Wasatch Academy is among the first schools selected in what is planned to be a state-wide network of devices to monitor the movements of the earth along the Wasatch fault.
With help from our IT team, the device was quickly up and running — already generating real-time seismic data. Our STEM faculty are excited to use the data in classes ranging from geology and statistics to coding.
Curious to explore the data yourself? Visit the Raspberry Shake “Shakenet” website and search for our station ID: RFADE. 🌐
#WasatchAcademy #WATigers #GoTigers #boardingschool #boardingschoollife
A great day sharing water science with the community at #SmartAboutWaterDay with @TruckeeMeadowsWaterAuthority !
The DRI Cloud Seeding Program joined regional water professionals, scientists, and community partners at Idlewild Park to talk with attendees about cloud seeding research and the future of water resources in the West.
We also appreciated the visit from John Zimmerman, General Manager of Truckee Meadows Water Authority and #DRIFoundation trustee, during #TMWA’s 25th anniversary celebration.
#ScienceThatMattersNow #DiscoverDRI
The DRI Archaeology Team had a great time at the Junior Ranger Day at @tulespringsnm sharing hands-on activities with attendees exploring Munsell Color Charts and crafting prehistoric-inspired split-twig figurines. They even got some pictures with Mojave Max! Thanks to everyone who came out to celebrate science and discovery with us! #DiscoverDRI
Interested in deepening your knowledge of the plant life at #TuleSprings? We’re partnering with @tulespringsnm and @protectorsoftulesprings to bring you Botany Volunteer Training that will cover:
🌱Identification of rare and native plant species found at the monument
🌱How to accurately collect and submit field data using Survey123
🌱Best practices for conducting surveys in the field
We only have a few slots left so follow the link in our bio to register ASAP!
#DiscoverDRI #DRIecolab #TUSK #TuleSpringFossilBeds
What are the dangers, truths, and meanings that often remain just out of sight? Join us for #CuriosityLab What Lies Beneath: Stories of Obscured Truths and Quiet Dangers where we invite you to explore the hidden risks, overlooked details, and subtle forces that shape how we move through the world.
📅 May 20 | 6:30 p.m.
📍 DRI Reno Campus
🎟️ bit.ly/clwhatliesbeneath #LinkinBio
Featuring insights from DRI’s Justin Toller, anthropologist Dr. Kendra Isable, and musician Ryland Gower, come discover how looking closer—and looking differently—can transform what we think we know about the world and our place within it.
Refreshments & cocktails from @10torr.reno will be provided.
Presented in partnership with @Nevada_Humanities & 10 Torr Distillery and Brewery
