Bark on the trees in Brazil's Cerrado, or savanna, play a protective role for both the tree and the environment.

Trees reveal a climate surprise—their bark removes methane from the atmosphere

Hailey Lopez wearing traditional South Korean dress

Humans of NAU: Hailey Lopez

NAU grad-turned-employee Hailey Lopez doesn’t quite know what the future holds—perhaps a career in communications, foreign policy or education. But for now, she's headed to South Korea to teach English as part of the prestigious Fulbright English Teaching Assistant program.

Melinda Smith sitting at her computer.

Research & Academics

How one doctoral student is helping pave the way for Indigenous researchers

As a child, Melinda Smith saw the efforts her family and tribal members were making to ensure greater health equity among the tribe. Wanting to join those efforts, she is earning a Ph.D. in interdisciplinary health and studying the relationship between Type 2 diabetes and cancer.

Woman reading in a hammock on the NAU campus

Campus & Community

NAU's best hammock hangouts

There’s lots to love about NAU in the summertime, from blooming gardens and luscious green grass to countless youth camps and conferences. But in the midst of all these exciting events, don’t forget to experience one of the simplest, most joyful warm weather activities: Swinging in a hammock under the shade of the vanilla-scented ponderosa pines.

Research & Academics

Bark on the trees in Brazil's Cerrado, or savanna, play a protective role for both the tree and the environment.

Trees reveal a climate surprise—their bark removes methane from the atmosphere

We all know trees are an important part of every ecosystem, and healthy trees are important for combatting the effects of climate change. But you probably didn't know just how important. A groundbreaking new study found that microbes that live in tree bark are sucking greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, making trees an even more critical part of combating climate change than scientists previously thought. Forest scientist Alexander Shenkin is the only U.S. partner on the study, which offers some good news for global policymakers, provided they are willing to take the necessary steps to increase tree health and reduce deforestation.

Melinda Smith sitting at her computer.

How one doctoral student is helping pave the way for Indigenous researchers

As a child, Melinda Smith saw the efforts her family and tribal members were making to ensure greater health equity among the tribe. Wanting to join those efforts, she is earning a Ph.D. in interdisciplinary health and studying the relationship between Type 2 diabetes and cancer.

A forest of ponderosa pine trees at the base of Mount Trumbull.

Seeing the bigger picture: 5,200-acre ERI study explores long-term impacts of ponderosa pine restoration treatment

Members of NAU's Ecological Research Institute joined the Bureau of Land Management to complete a 21-year-long study analyzing the impacts of prescribed burns and mechanical tree thinning on dry ponderosa pine forests. After successfully decreasing tree density and wildfire vulnerability on their 5,224-acre research site, the ERI members published their findings in the academic journal Restoration Ecology.

Campus & Community

Woman reading in a hammock on the NAU campus

NAU's best hammock hangouts

There’s lots to love about NAU in the summertime, from blooming gardens and luscious green grass to countless youth camps and conferences. But in the midst of all these exciting events, don’t forget to experience one of the simplest, most joyful warm weather activities: Swinging in a hammock under the shade of the vanilla-scented ponderosa pines.

Voters lining up to vote at a polling location with a flag in the background.

Interested in being an election worker?

The Coconino County Elections Office is looking for workers for the Nov. 5 election. Jobs could be at polling locations at Flagstaff or throughout the county and include polling location inspector, ballot judge, marshal and more.

Donation box sits on table while person adds items

Declutter AND do good!

There is never a bad time of year to go through your closet, attic or pantry and whittle down your possessions. National Give Something Away Day on July 15 provides the perfect excuse to do some summer cleaning. And, when you’re not sure what to do with the pile of goods that needs a new home, consider donating to these on- and off-campus places to benefit students and the local community.

Lumberjack Features

close up of coffee milkshake in glass with metal straw

Did someone say coffee milkshake?!

Five ingredients. One blender. That’s all you need to make this delicious, no-sugar-added morning treat. For National Coffee Milkshake Day, check out this recipe that might quickly replace your boring cup of joe.

Hailey Lopez wearing traditional South Korean dress

Humans of NAU: Hailey Lopez

NAU grad-turned-employee Hailey Lopez doesn’t quite know what the future holds—perhaps a career in communications, foreign policy or education. But for now, she's headed to South Korea to teach English as part of the prestigious Fulbright English Teaching Assistant program.

Matthew Ford, his wife and two sons standing in a valley with a snow-covered mountain behind them.

Humans of NAU: Matthew Ford

The first time Matthew Ford went to physical therapy changed his life forever. Sure, he got better and went back to playing baseball, but that set him on a path to make a career out of PT. Now interim dean of the College of Health and Human Services, he talks about what to know about PT and an experience that confirmed the power of music in his practice.