Photo of the Day, September 7

Photo of the Day, September 7, a photo by Semester in the West on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Westies Collin Smith, Oliver Wood, and Claire Meints enjoy a hike in Western Colorado.
Photo by Allison Bolgiano

Wolves in Idaho

This gallery contains 3 photos.

Here are two photos of wolves taken by the same type of camera that Westies helped set up in Idaho’s Wood Rivery Valley, and one of wolf tracks found along a nearby road. Data from motion-sensing cameras helps biologists learn more about the wolves’ movements and behaviors. Photos provided by Patrick Graham, Defenders of Wildlife.

Neal Wight

Neal Wight, a photo by Semester in the West on Flickr.

Neal Wight
Biological Technician, High Lonesome Ranch
Snowmass Falls Ranch, CO
September 6

Soon after arriving at the picturesque Snowmass Falls Ranch, we were visited by Neal Wight – a surprise guest who was wrangled into joining us by Randy Udall. Randy ran in to Neal at a nearby trailhead where Neal had just come down from bow-hunting elk. He is currently working as a biological technician on a mountain lion research project near Grand Junction, Colorado. Over lunch, he explained the excitement and challenges of chasing oversized cats through the rugged terrain of Western Colorado. After collaring 13 cats, Neal’s research group has been tracking their behavior and travel patterns through GPS monitoring and venturing out to inspect elk, porcupine, and coyote kills. Neal left us with an impressive demonstration of his bow skills, nailing a target from 30 yards.

By Grayson Carlile

Auden Schendler

Auden Schendler, a photo by Semester in the West on Flickr.

Auden Schendler
Executive Director of Sustainability, Aspen Skiing Company
Carbondale, CO
September 6

Despite his senior position at the “center of ridiculous consumption in the face of the world,” Auden Schendler makes a convincing argument for power as a necessary resource to solve climate change. Speaking to our group of burgeoning environmentalists and humanitarians, he offered up serious food for thought when he labeled the choice to move to Bangladesh and install solar panels as “selfish”. Auden believes that in order to combat global warming, each person must use the biggest leverage they have. And for Mr. Schendler, that leverage is Aspen Skiing Company. As a globally visible and influential corporation, Aspen Skiing Company has the power to steer both the companies who require their patronage and public policy towards renewable energy and neutral carbon footprints on a large scale. His challenge to Whitman students and to the wider world is to see climate change, not as an environmental issue, but as the umbrella issue that encompasses all other concerns. To be a responsible citizen, for Auden, is to make the biggest impact possible and to struggle every day to ensure that your overall impact is positive and carbon neutral.

By Katie Hardy