Science Learning Network Offers Behind-the-Scenes Glimpse at Park Science in Action

Date: June 21, 2011
Contact: Dr. Jerry Freilich, 360-565-3082
Contact: Dave Reynolds, 360-457-0715

The North Coast and Cascades Science Learning Network (SLN) recently released a series of nine “Science Minute Movies.” The series profiles staff in eight Pacific Northwest national parks, including Olympic National Park, and offers behind-the-scenes looks at science in action. Each movie is approximately five minutes long and the entire series may be viewed at www.nwparkscience.org/video.

Working Between The Tides, highlights scientific monitoring in the intertidal zones of Olympic National Park. Intertidal zones—those turbulent meeting places between land and sea—are places of extraordinary diversity and fierce competition. In order to work during the lowest summer tides, researchers often wake at 2 a.m. and hike through the dark to sites along Olympic National Park’s Pacific coastline.

National parks protect America's natural and cultural heritage for future generations and range from large tracts of living, breathing ecosystems to irreplaceable treasures of the country's history. Whether monitoring natural ecosystems or studying historic sites, national park scientists are integral members of the team of NPS stewards protecting national parks. Working unobtrusively and mostly out of visitors' view, park scientists do the rigorous work needed to preserve park ecological health and historical riches.

The SLN works to encourage park research and disseminates scientific findings. The Science Minute Movies were developed to inform the public about on-going studies and inspire an appreciation for the work involved in protecting parks for future generations. In the movies, park scientists describe the importance of their work and provide viewers with a glimpse of their daily fieldwork, taking the viewer to glaciers, intertidal zones, and wind-swept prairies.

All eight parks in the North Coast/Cascades SLN are represented in the series, which also features scientists engaged in glacier monitoring, archeology and prairie restoration. In addition to Olympic National Park, NPS sites in the network include Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve, Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park, Lewis and Clark National Historic Park, North Cascades National Park and San Juan Island National Historic Park. A new series of Science Minute Movies is already under development and is scheduled for release later this year.

For more information on the North Coast/Cascades Science Learning Network, please visit nwparkscience.org.