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Recently, CU Boulder vice chancellor for sustainability��Andrew Mayock joined INSTAAR faculty for an excursion to��, essential field sites for environmental research at CU.

Chancellor Justin Schwartz��appointed Mayock to his role earlier this year, citing his long track record implementing sustainable infrastructure and business practices. Mayock�� — just one of many senior positions he has held over the past three decades.

INSTAAR members pose with the vice chancellor. Left to right: Andrew Mayock, Nicole Lovenduski, Nancy Emery, Austin Willbern and Albert Kettner. Photo courtesy of Nicole Lovenduski.

Despite all of his experience, Mayock sees his role at CU as the chance to dive into something new. While his career has mostly focused on sustainability as an operational goal, he is new to supporting the scientific research that underpins these efforts. Fortunately, his visit to the Mountain Research Station provided an up-close look at some of the longest-running climate and ecological monitoring efforts in the country.

“Thank you all for an extraordinary day. It provided a real opportunity to appreciate the great work you do.” Mayock told INSTAAR leadership after his visit. “I look forward to supporting and amplifying your efforts, and all we can do together.”

After touring the station, Mayock and the rest of the group hopped into vehicles and drove up past the C1 climate station. Located at nearly 10,000 feet, the station has gathered climate data continuously since 1953. Its counterpart, dubbed D1, is located at more than 12,000 feet, making it the highest continuously operating weather station in North America.

At 10,500 feet above sea level, the group parked at the “cable gate” and continued on foot. The next stop was “T-van” , a climate station located just below the saddle of Niwot Ridge. Here,��Niwot Ridge field technician Austin Willbern helped Mayock take an air sample for later analysis. INSTAAR scientists in the stable isotope lab plan to present the vice chancellor with a readout of the sample’s contents the next time he comes to visit the institute.

Some clouds were starting to form, but the group decided to brave a jaunt up to the saddle anyways. After reaching the ridge,��Niwot Ridge program director and professor of ecology and evolutionary biology Nancy Emery talked about the diversity of research projects underway at the site this summer. Mayock was also curious about�� on Niwot Ridge, which has gone uninterrupted for more than 40 years.

As the clouds darkened, the group began to hike back toward the cars. They made it just in time — thunder boomed in the distance.

On their way back to the station, the group discussed further collaborative efforts between INSTAAR and the chancellor’s office.�� Both the vice chancellor and faculty were eager to explore ways that INSTAAR’s environmental research can complement campus efforts toward sustainability.

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