Be A Citizen Scientist for a Day: Dendrochronology

Did you know some bristlecone pines are older than 2,500 years? Do you know how scientists figure out the age of trees? Do you know how to use an increment borer? Did you ever wish you were a scientist?

If you are curious about the science behind what is known as dendrochronology, Mountain Area Land Trust is offering an exclusive workshop just for inquisitive minds!

This one-day workshop, “Be A Citizen Scientist for A Day”, will be held on Thursday, Aug. 17 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. You will:

• Receive training from Regis University Professor John Sakulich, a biogeographer and forest ecologist
• Learn about the ecology of bristlecone pine and the basics of dendrochronology
• Discover how to collect tree cores from ancient bristlecone pines using increment borers
• Record data to support a research project to reconstruct long-term variability in snowpack
• Enjoy lunch on Pennsylvania Mountain and the beauty of the area

Lunch, training and tools included. Suggested donation is $100 per person and is limited to 15 registrants. This training will be held at Pennsylvania Mountain in Fairplay.

Please RSVP to Ryan@savetheland.org or (303) 679-0950.

About Dendrochronology

Trees are excellent archives of environmental information and faithfully record information about growing conditions by creating annual rings. The science of tree-ring analysis is called dendrochronology, and ancient Rocky Mountain bristlecone pines are especially valuable for dendrochronologists because bristlecones can live for nearly 2,500 years. This long record of tree growth enables the reconstruction of past temperatures, precipitation, streamflow, and snowpack. Long-term climate records provide understanding of variability in the climate system and allow water managers to plan for the future.