After spending time in Utqiagvik, I had the opportunity to travel south to Toolik Field Station. The National Science Foundation funds Toolik Field Station and the facilities are operated by the Institute of Arctic Biology at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF). While at Toolik, my goal is to learn and assist in gathering data in the various research projects that my team is participating in this arctic season.

    PolarTREC Fellow, Monica Nuñez, at Toolik Field Station. Photograph by: Steven Unger

    During my travel time to Toolik I had many new experiences, the first being to fly on a C208B Caravan by Ravn Air Alaska. After leaving Utqiagvik, my flight took me to Nuiqsut. To my surprise, I was the only passenger to continue on to Deadhorse on the small plane. Officially becoming the smallest commercial flight I have ever been on; one person.

    PolarTREC Fellow, Monica Nuñez, on a small commercial flight to Deadhorse, Alaska.

    After arriving at Deadhorse I was greeted by Scott Filippone, who is the EMT at Toolik. We then proceeded to take the 3-hour drive down south on the James W. Dalton highway. This picturesque drive is truly one of Alaska’s treasures. During my time at Toolik Field Station I will be immersed in research work that involves gathering data with drones and LIDAR systems.

    Postdoctoral fellow, Sergio Vargas, prepares a research drone for flight near Toolik Field Station.

    Después de pasar un tiempo en Utqiagvik, tuve la oportunidad de viajar al sur a la estación de campo de Toolik. La Fundación Nacional de Ciencia proporciona fondos a la Estación de Campo Toolik y las instalaciones son operadas por el Instituto de Biología del Ártico en la Universidad de Alaska Fairbanks (UAF). Mientras estoy en Toolik, mi objetivo es aprender y ayudar a recopilar datos en los diversos proyectos de investigación en los que mi equipo participa en esta temporada ártica.

    PolarTREC Fellow, Monica Nuñez, at Toolik Field Station. Photograph by: Steven Unger

    Durante mi viaje a Toolik tuve muchas experiencias nuevas, la primera de las cuales fue volar en una caravana C208B de Ravn Air Alaska. Después de dejar Utqiagvik, mi vuelo me llevó a Nuiqsut. Para mi sorpresa, fui la única pasajera en continuar hasta Deadhorse en el avión pequeño. Convirtiéndose oficialmente en el vuelo comercial más pequeño en el que he estado; una persona.

    PolarTREC Fellow, Monica Nuñez, on a small commercial flight to Deadhorse, Alaska.

    Después de llegar a Deadhorse, fui recibida por Scott Filippone, quien es el EMT en Toolik. Luego procedimos a tomar el viaje de 3 horas hacia el sur por la autopista James W. Dalton. Este paseo pintoresco es verdaderamente uno de los tesoros de Alaska. Durante mi estancia en la estación de campo de Toolik, estaré inmersa en trabajos de investigación que involucran la recopilación de datos con drones y sistemas LIDAR.

    Postdoctoral fellow, Sergio Vargas, prepares a research drone for flight near Toolik Field Station.

    Comments

    Janet Warburton

    Monica,

    I'm loving your journals! I'm glad you got to Toolik -- it's such a great place. Kate should be there tonight! I hope you both see each other and send me a photo.
    Keep up the great work and tell Craig hello.
    Janet

    Kaylin D

    Last Year in Ms. Stacy Seberts class, we had the Palmer station Talk and she showed us this website and encouraged us to ask questions. My question is, How old do you have to be to join or volunteer at The Institute of Arctic Biology at the University of Alaska Fairbanks?