27 March 2018 Welcome To Oz...

Or in Oklahoma, for that matter. I grew up in western Oklahoma and lived my whole life within a 75 mile radius of my birthplace. Let me paint the picture. There are trees, but few a far between. The sunrises and sunsets are stunning. We have cool, dry winters and hot, humid summers. And it's flat. Really, really flat. This is home.

So now I'm in Alaska thinking about and experiencing all things Arctic. While in Fairbanks, everything around me seems to be the very opposite of what my frame of reference can process. So many trees. So much snow. So very cold. So many mountains. Many, many mountains.

There's No Place Like Home

What is "The Arctic"? According to Webster's dictionary arctic means "of, relating to, or suitable for use at the north pole or the region near it." But I'm not talking about the adjective, I mean the noun. The place. Arctic with a capital "A".

To be honest, the heading is a rhetorical question. I don't really know. I thought I had a pretty good idea until I arrived at orientation Sunday. In the last 48 hours, my eyes have been opened to how incredibly complex and vital this region is to all life on Earth. I'm reminded how sea ice drives global weather patterns, I'm learning how vegetation actively contributes and effects both biotic and abiotic factors in an ecosystem, and I'm beginning to piece just how connected I've always been to this region. The Arctic is not some exotic, far away Land of Oz, despite it's emerald night skies. It's a part of my home in Oklahoma, and my home is a part of the Arctic. What is the Arctic? I hope you will muddle through with me as I try to figure out the answer for myself.