Desert Research Institute
@driscience.bsky.social
Science that matters now. NSHE campuses in Reno and Las Vegas • Environmental science on all seven continents ✨🌍 #DiscoverDRI at www.dri.edu #ScienceThatMattersNow
NASA announced the expansion of a crucial #water tracking program with the use of #OpenET. DRI’s Charles Morton said, "Delivering wall-to-wall #evapotranspiration data across the contiguous US at the field scale is a major milestone for OpenET." bit.ly/openetexpand #NASA
NASA and Partners Expand Crucial Water Tracking Program
DRI's Charles Morton, Associate Research Scientist of Geography, who had a key role in the expansion of OpenET said, "Delivering wall-to-wall evapotranspiration data across the contiguous United States at the field scale is a major milestone for OpenET,...
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January 24, 2026 at 6:00 PM
NASA announced the expansion of a crucial #water tracking program with the use of #OpenET. DRI’s Charles Morton said, "Delivering wall-to-wall #evapotranspiration data across the contiguous US at the field scale is a major milestone for OpenET." bit.ly/openetexpand #NASA
DRI’s #IceCore Lab found that a #glacier in the #FrenchAlps dates back to the last #IceAge and is the oldest known glacier ice in the region. Glaciers hold layers of #history preserved in ice, offering unique insights into Earth’s past. bit.ly/drifrenchalps #DiscoverDRI #ScienceThatMattersNow
January 23, 2026 at 11:12 PM
DRI’s #IceCore Lab found that a #glacier in the #FrenchAlps dates back to the last #IceAge and is the oldest known glacier ice in the region. Glaciers hold layers of #history preserved in ice, offering unique insights into Earth’s past. bit.ly/drifrenchalps #DiscoverDRI #ScienceThatMattersNow
Ziming Ke, is an #atmospheric #scientist who joined DRI in March 2025. He has extensive expertise in earth system modeling and is producing groundbreaking research that integrates #wildfire science into global and regional models. bit.ly/meetziming #ScienceThatMattersNow
Meet Ziming Ke
Ziming Ke is an atmospheric scientist who joined DRI in March 2025. He has extensive expertise in earth system modeling and is producing groundbreaking research that integrates wildfire science into global and regional models, including a recent publica...
bit.ly
January 22, 2026 at 6:14 PM
Ziming Ke, is an #atmospheric #scientist who joined DRI in March 2025. He has extensive expertise in earth system modeling and is producing groundbreaking research that integrates #wildfire science into global and regional models. bit.ly/meetziming #ScienceThatMattersNow
💧 Curiosity Lab: The Weight of Water
Feb 18 | 6:30 p.m.
DRI Las Vegas Campus
Explore how water shapes cities, communities & personal stories—through science, reflection & lived experience.
🎟️ Tickets: bit.ly/clweightofwater
$15 General Admission
$10 Students & Educators
Feb 18 | 6:30 p.m.
DRI Las Vegas Campus
Explore how water shapes cities, communities & personal stories—through science, reflection & lived experience.
🎟️ Tickets: bit.ly/clweightofwater
$15 General Admission
$10 Students & Educators
January 21, 2026 at 10:23 PM
💧 Curiosity Lab: The Weight of Water
Feb 18 | 6:30 p.m.
DRI Las Vegas Campus
Explore how water shapes cities, communities & personal stories—through science, reflection & lived experience.
🎟️ Tickets: bit.ly/clweightofwater
$15 General Admission
$10 Students & Educators
Feb 18 | 6:30 p.m.
DRI Las Vegas Campus
Explore how water shapes cities, communities & personal stories—through science, reflection & lived experience.
🎟️ Tickets: bit.ly/clweightofwater
$15 General Admission
$10 Students & Educators
The DRI Virtual Outdoor Experience Team was recently in Lincoln County capturing new 360° imagery for upcoming VOEs. Explore current experiences and learn how to support this work: www.dri.edu/voe #VirtualOutdoorExperiences
January 20, 2026 at 6:12 PM
The DRI Virtual Outdoor Experience Team was recently in Lincoln County capturing new 360° imagery for upcoming VOEs. Explore current experiences and learn how to support this work: www.dri.edu/voe #VirtualOutdoorExperiences
DRI's Tiffany Pereira and her team monitored the Gemini Solar Project to study the impact of #solar panel installation on threecorner milkvetch, a rare #desert plant. The findings are promising for advancing renewable energy while balancing ecosystem preservation. bit.ly/solar_eco #RenewableEnergy
January 14, 2026 at 4:46 PM
DRI's Tiffany Pereira and her team monitored the Gemini Solar Project to study the impact of #solar panel installation on threecorner milkvetch, a rare #desert plant. The findings are promising for advancing renewable energy while balancing ecosystem preservation. bit.ly/solar_eco #RenewableEnergy
Join DRI's Archaeology Team for Archaeology Day at the Lost City Museum on January 31! This family-friendly event features opportunities to learn how archaeologists uncover and preserve Nevada’s past. Stop by our booth to meet the team and explore #ScienceThatMattersNow. www.lostcitymuseum.org
January 13, 2026 at 5:48 PM
Join DRI's Archaeology Team for Archaeology Day at the Lost City Museum on January 31! This family-friendly event features opportunities to learn how archaeologists uncover and preserve Nevada’s past. Stop by our booth to meet the team and explore #ScienceThatMattersNow. www.lostcitymuseum.org
The DRI Foundation is pleased to announce new members to its Board of Trustees who work to engage and build relationships with new and existing supporters to further DRI’s work across #Nevada and around the world.
Read more: bit.ly/2026drifboard
#ScienceThatMattersNow #FoundationBoard #Nonprofit
Read more: bit.ly/2026drifboard
#ScienceThatMattersNow #FoundationBoard #Nonprofit
The DRI Foundation Welcomes New Chair and Trustees for 2026
The DRI Foundation, the non-profit arm of DRI, is pleased to announce new members to its Board of Trustees. The DRI Foundation Board of Trustees work in close collaboration with DRI President Kumud Acharya and the Office of Advancement to engage and bui...
bit.ly
January 9, 2026 at 9:13 PM
The DRI Foundation is pleased to announce new members to its Board of Trustees who work to engage and build relationships with new and existing supporters to further DRI’s work across #Nevada and around the world.
Read more: bit.ly/2026drifboard
#ScienceThatMattersNow #FoundationBoard #Nonprofit
Read more: bit.ly/2026drifboard
#ScienceThatMattersNow #FoundationBoard #Nonprofit
Get ready for our next season of Curiosity Lab by DRI for Reno and Las Vegas by getting your season tickets! Join us for a full year of events exploring memory, risk, creativity, resilience, and the unseen forces that shape our world.
Learn more and secure your spot ➡️ www.dri.edu/curiositylab
Learn more and secure your spot ➡️ www.dri.edu/curiositylab
January 9, 2026 at 4:56 PM
Get ready for our next season of Curiosity Lab by DRI for Reno and Las Vegas by getting your season tickets! Join us for a full year of events exploring memory, risk, creativity, resilience, and the unseen forces that shape our world.
Learn more and secure your spot ➡️ www.dri.edu/curiositylab
Learn more and secure your spot ➡️ www.dri.edu/curiositylab
DRI Ecohydrologist Christine Albano answers common questions about the relationship between a warming atmosphere and extreme weather, including wildfires, droughts, and flooding.
Read more and watch the third video in our new DRI FAQ series with research experts ➡️ bit.ly/albanofaq
Read more and watch the third video in our new DRI FAQ series with research experts ➡️ bit.ly/albanofaq
January 7, 2026 at 10:45 PM
DRI Ecohydrologist Christine Albano answers common questions about the relationship between a warming atmosphere and extreme weather, including wildfires, droughts, and flooding.
Read more and watch the third video in our new DRI FAQ series with research experts ➡️ bit.ly/albanofaq
Read more and watch the third video in our new DRI FAQ series with research experts ➡️ bit.ly/albanofaq
Get ready for our next season of #CuriosityLab by DRI for Reno and Las Vegas by getting your season tickets! Join us for a full year of events exploring memory, risk, creativity, resilience, and the unseen forces that shape our world.
Learn more and secure your spot ➡️ www.dri.edu/curiositylab
Learn more and secure your spot ➡️ www.dri.edu/curiositylab
January 7, 2026 at 4:51 PM
Get ready for our next season of #CuriosityLab by DRI for Reno and Las Vegas by getting your season tickets! Join us for a full year of events exploring memory, risk, creativity, resilience, and the unseen forces that shape our world.
Learn more and secure your spot ➡️ www.dri.edu/curiositylab
Learn more and secure your spot ➡️ www.dri.edu/curiositylab
DRI scientists Joe McConnell & Nathan Chellman led an expedition to Mont Blanc to collect the Alps' most valuable ice. They're in a race against time to collect an updated #icecore in the rapidly warming region.
Check out our latest #StoryMap to read the full story: bit.ly/alpinearchivedri
Check out our latest #StoryMap to read the full story: bit.ly/alpinearchivedri
January 5, 2026 at 9:12 PM
DRI scientists Joe McConnell & Nathan Chellman led an expedition to Mont Blanc to collect the Alps' most valuable ice. They're in a race against time to collect an updated #icecore in the rapidly warming region.
Check out our latest #StoryMap to read the full story: bit.ly/alpinearchivedri
Check out our latest #StoryMap to read the full story: bit.ly/alpinearchivedri
As we close out 2025, we’re reflecting on a year of impactful research & discovery—guided by our commitment to #ScienceThatMattersNow. We’re excited to take on new challenges in the year ahead to help build a more resilient future.
Join us in the journey! #DiscoverDRI at www.dri.edu. #HappyNewYear
Join us in the journey! #DiscoverDRI at www.dri.edu. #HappyNewYear
December 31, 2025 at 6:46 PM
As we close out 2025, we’re reflecting on a year of impactful research & discovery—guided by our commitment to #ScienceThatMattersNow. We’re excited to take on new challenges in the year ahead to help build a more resilient future.
Join us in the journey! #DiscoverDRI at www.dri.edu. #HappyNewYear
Join us in the journey! #DiscoverDRI at www.dri.edu. #HappyNewYear
🏆 #1 Top DRI Story of 2025:
Lead Pollution Likely Caused Widespread IQ Declines in Ancient Rome, New Study Finds
Read the full story ➡️ bit.ly/leadpollutionstudy
Lead Pollution Likely Caused Widespread IQ Declines in Ancient Rome, New Study Finds
Read the full story ➡️ bit.ly/leadpollutionstudy
December 31, 2025 at 4:54 PM
🏆 #1 Top DRI Story of 2025:
Lead Pollution Likely Caused Widespread IQ Declines in Ancient Rome, New Study Finds
Read the full story ➡️ bit.ly/leadpollutionstudy
Lead Pollution Likely Caused Widespread IQ Declines in Ancient Rome, New Study Finds
Read the full story ➡️ bit.ly/leadpollutionstudy
🏆 #2 Top DRI Story of 2025:
Desert Lichen Offers New Evidence for the Possibility of Life on Other Planets
Read the full story ➡️ bit.ly/desertlichen
Desert Lichen Offers New Evidence for the Possibility of Life on Other Planets
Read the full story ➡️ bit.ly/desertlichen
December 30, 2025 at 10:13 PM
🏆 #2 Top DRI Story of 2025:
Desert Lichen Offers New Evidence for the Possibility of Life on Other Planets
Read the full story ➡️ bit.ly/desertlichen
Desert Lichen Offers New Evidence for the Possibility of Life on Other Planets
Read the full story ➡️ bit.ly/desertlichen
🏆 #3 Top DRI Story of 2025:
New Research Solves 200 Year Volcanic Mystery
Read the full story ➡️ bit.ly/volcanicmystery
New Research Solves 200 Year Volcanic Mystery
Read the full story ➡️ bit.ly/volcanicmystery
December 30, 2025 at 8:07 PM
🏆 #3 Top DRI Story of 2025:
New Research Solves 200 Year Volcanic Mystery
Read the full story ➡️ bit.ly/volcanicmystery
New Research Solves 200 Year Volcanic Mystery
Read the full story ➡️ bit.ly/volcanicmystery
DRI's Nathan Chellman shares w/ @thenvindy.com how his team needed small rockets attached to the airplane to help it take off from the slush of the #Greenland ice sheet. If warming temperatures continue, Santa’s departure “from the North Pole with his sled could be hard,” bit.ly/SantaNV #DiscoverDRI
Pageantry, a ‘fun economy' and tons of elk -- why Santa should move to Nevada - The Nevada Independent
If Santa ever wanted to relocate, Nevada is a strong contender -- especially Las Vegas, dubbed by some as the epicenter of the “fun economy.” While we couldn't reach Santa to ask if he'd consider relocating to the Silver State, The Nevada Independent sp...
bit.ly
December 30, 2025 at 6:47 PM
DRI's Nathan Chellman shares w/ @thenvindy.com how his team needed small rockets attached to the airplane to help it take off from the slush of the #Greenland ice sheet. If warming temperatures continue, Santa’s departure “from the North Pole with his sled could be hard,” bit.ly/SantaNV #DiscoverDRI
🏆 #4 Top DRI Story of 2025:
Wet Soils Increase Flooding During Atmospheric River Storms
Read the full story ➡️ bit.ly/wetsoils
Wet Soils Increase Flooding During Atmospheric River Storms
Read the full story ➡️ bit.ly/wetsoils
December 30, 2025 at 5:12 PM
🏆 #4 Top DRI Story of 2025:
Wet Soils Increase Flooding During Atmospheric River Storms
Read the full story ➡️ bit.ly/wetsoils
Wet Soils Increase Flooding During Atmospheric River Storms
Read the full story ➡️ bit.ly/wetsoils
🏆 #5 Top DRI Story of 2025:
New Study Traces Indigenous Population Shifts in North America Before Europeans
Read the full story ➡️ bit.ly/dripopulationshifts
New Study Traces Indigenous Population Shifts in North America Before Europeans
Read the full story ➡️ bit.ly/dripopulationshifts
December 29, 2025 at 11:08 PM
🏆 #5 Top DRI Story of 2025:
New Study Traces Indigenous Population Shifts in North America Before Europeans
Read the full story ➡️ bit.ly/dripopulationshifts
New Study Traces Indigenous Population Shifts in North America Before Europeans
Read the full story ➡️ bit.ly/dripopulationshifts
There’s still time to make a difference before year’s end. Your gift to DRI equips our scientists to tackle today’s most pressing environmental challenges and help build a more sustainable, resilient future.
Give today ➡️ www.dri.edu/giving
#EndofYearGiving #DRIFoundation #ScienceThatMattersNow
Give today ➡️ www.dri.edu/giving
#EndofYearGiving #DRIFoundation #ScienceThatMattersNow
December 29, 2025 at 8:59 PM
There’s still time to make a difference before year’s end. Your gift to DRI equips our scientists to tackle today’s most pressing environmental challenges and help build a more sustainable, resilient future.
Give today ➡️ www.dri.edu/giving
#EndofYearGiving #DRIFoundation #ScienceThatMattersNow
Give today ➡️ www.dri.edu/giving
#EndofYearGiving #DRIFoundation #ScienceThatMattersNow
🏆 #6 Top DRI Story of 2025:
Reno-Sparks Heat Mapping Project Releases Detailed Urban Heat Data
Read the full story ➡️ bit.ly/urbanheatdata
Reno-Sparks Heat Mapping Project Releases Detailed Urban Heat Data
Read the full story ➡️ bit.ly/urbanheatdata
December 29, 2025 at 6:11 PM
🏆 #6 Top DRI Story of 2025:
Reno-Sparks Heat Mapping Project Releases Detailed Urban Heat Data
Read the full story ➡️ bit.ly/urbanheatdata
Reno-Sparks Heat Mapping Project Releases Detailed Urban Heat Data
Read the full story ➡️ bit.ly/urbanheatdata
🏆 #7 Top DRI Story of 2025:
New Study Finds Rocky Mountain Snow Contamination
Read the full story ➡️ bit.ly/drisnowcontamination
New Study Finds Rocky Mountain Snow Contamination
Read the full story ➡️ bit.ly/drisnowcontamination
December 28, 2025 at 6:08 PM
🏆 #7 Top DRI Story of 2025:
New Study Finds Rocky Mountain Snow Contamination
Read the full story ➡️ bit.ly/drisnowcontamination
New Study Finds Rocky Mountain Snow Contamination
Read the full story ➡️ bit.ly/drisnowcontamination
🏆 #8 Top DRI Story of 2025:
Scientists Successfully Recreate Wildfire-Induced Thunderstorms in Earth System Models for the First Time
Read the full story ➡️ https://bit.ly/firethunder
Scientists Successfully Recreate Wildfire-Induced Thunderstorms in Earth System Models for the First Time
Read the full story ➡️ https://bit.ly/firethunder
December 28, 2025 at 4:15 PM
🏆 #8 Top DRI Story of 2025:
Scientists Successfully Recreate Wildfire-Induced Thunderstorms in Earth System Models for the First Time
Read the full story ➡️ https://bit.ly/firethunder
Scientists Successfully Recreate Wildfire-Induced Thunderstorms in Earth System Models for the First Time
Read the full story ➡️ https://bit.ly/firethunder
🏆 #9 Top DRI Story of 2025:
Tiffany Pereira Blends Art and Science in New Mojave Seedling Guide
Read the full story ➡️ https://bit.ly/driseedlingguide
Tiffany Pereira Blends Art and Science in New Mojave Seedling Guide
Read the full story ➡️ https://bit.ly/driseedlingguide
December 27, 2025 at 6:06 PM
🏆 #9 Top DRI Story of 2025:
Tiffany Pereira Blends Art and Science in New Mojave Seedling Guide
Read the full story ➡️ https://bit.ly/driseedlingguide
Tiffany Pereira Blends Art and Science in New Mojave Seedling Guide
Read the full story ➡️ https://bit.ly/driseedlingguide
🏆 #10 Top DRI Story of 2025:
Hidden Life Beneath Antarctic Ice: Microbial Diversity and Survival Strategies Revealed in Mercer Subglacial Lake
Read the full story ➡️ bit.ly/drihiddenlife
Hidden Life Beneath Antarctic Ice: Microbial Diversity and Survival Strategies Revealed in Mercer Subglacial Lake
Read the full story ➡️ bit.ly/drihiddenlife
December 27, 2025 at 4:00 PM
🏆 #10 Top DRI Story of 2025:
Hidden Life Beneath Antarctic Ice: Microbial Diversity and Survival Strategies Revealed in Mercer Subglacial Lake
Read the full story ➡️ bit.ly/drihiddenlife
Hidden Life Beneath Antarctic Ice: Microbial Diversity and Survival Strategies Revealed in Mercer Subglacial Lake
Read the full story ➡️ bit.ly/drihiddenlife