Jeni Blacklock RMBL Interview

 

Jeni Blacklock RMBL Interview – It was my pleasure recently to get a chance to have a chat with Jeni Blacklock – Executive Director, Rocky Mountain Biological Lab (RMBL).

“There is exciting research that’s happening at RMBL. Studying hydrology, atmospheric sciences, ecology, and really bringing that all together to understand Earth as a system
for better management of our resources.”

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The Rocky Mountain Biological Lab

Home to one of the largest annual migrations of field biologists, RMBL provides logistical support for scientists and students, including access to living quarters, research laboratories, and protected research sites. RMBL focuses on the importance of preserving and providing access to historical data about the local ecosystems. As scientists address ever more sophisticated questions about a dynamic world, RMBL is a vital resource for discovering nature’s fundamental ecological and evolutionary processes. In a rapidly changing world, RMBL sustains our quality of life by accelerating discoveries about the ecosystems that replenish the world’s air, water, and food supplies.

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Video: Jeni Blacklock RMBL Interview

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Transcript: Jeni Blacklock RMBL Interview

Chris Kopf:  Hey, it’s Chris Kopf and we’re in downtown Crested Butte.

I’m here with Jeni Blacklock, the new Executive director of Rocky Mountain Biological Lab. Jeni, tell us a little about yourself and Rocky Mountain Biological Lab.

Jeni Blacklock:  Thank you, Chris. Thanks for having me today. So Jeni Blacklock, new EE. Formerly I was the Dean of Engineering at the partnership program between CU Boulder and Western Colorado University, where we had engineering, mechanical engineering, and computer science, and they are now actually launching aerospace and biomedical engineering programs as well.

So why am I saying this? Because it’s all interlinked to RMBL. I actually got to know about RMBL through the collaboration that we were doing with engineering and also through my kids, which is another story I’ll tell as well. So, actually a group of scientists from RMBL which you can think is the world leader superstar of research in the North end of the Valley. And then the Engineering partnership program <with CU Boulder and Western Colorado University>, which is the superpower at the South end of the Valley, came together to talk about how we could work together to make difference, to make change, to support each other. Why have two different institutions that are siloed – when we can be making a difference together.

And so, through that collaboration, I got to learn about the exciting research that’s happening at RMBL. Studying hydrology, atmospheric sciences, ecology, and really bringing that all together to understand Earth as a system for better management of our resources. Now moving forward from that, I actually learned a bit more then about RMBL – Our kids ended up going to the RMBL Science Camp, which, when you’re in kindergarten, which our oldest was at the time, ended up going to spend a whole week at RMBL. He would come back every day and say, “oh, I learned about the birds and the bees”. And then he’d come back and the next day “I learned about the mammals and the marmots and the fox” and then would come back and say “I learned about the water and the fish”.

And then: “I learned about the atmosphere, and the clouds, and precipitation, and sublimation and what that means”. And it really registered at that time when working with the partnership program, the engineering partnership program in correlation with my kids telling me these stories of all the incredible research that was happening at RMBL. And so, you know, long story – short… Ian Billick, who was the Executive Director, had tenure there for 25 years. Right, yeah…. He ended up retiring. And I saw this as a tremendous opportunity to really come to this position and do some science that matters for our world.

Chris Kopf:  Awesome. Yeah. Well, tell us a little bit about some of the science that’s going on right now in Gothic at, at RMBL. Yeah.

Jeni Blacklock:  Just recently we finished up a SAIL Project. So as I stated before, RMBL looks at Earth as a system. And so “SAIL” stands for Surface Atmospheric Integrated Laboratory. And with this study – it was actually one of the first at RMBL where we started to put all the layers of the ecosystem together to understand, and to be able to make better predictive models when we talk about… Forest fires, or drought to make better informed decisions when we manage resources, and then also understand where our environment’s going and how it’s changing and what it looks like for the next, you know, 10, 50, a hundred plus years. So that was a really fascinating study. And then most recently we have a NASA grant that we’ll be launching this summer, where we’ll be taking overflight data to really add to that richness of data that we have at RMBL.

RMBL being the field station where scientists come from around the world to conduct research. From Stanford, Princeton… we have just a tremendous group that comes here every summer and those scientists are continuing to bring these extraordinary projects to RMBL. And now the partnership program and having engineering and computer science, and aerospace, it’s all just coming together to really create this, unique opportunity. And one that, you know, a lot of communities don’t have, especially a community as small as ours. Sometimes I can’t believe how much we can do here in this small town of Crested Butte. Well,

Chris Kopf:  It’s exciting because we are in a very pristine environment, and that’s one of the benefits of the science that you get to do in this area. Right. And we’re at the top… Science at the top that matters. This is really a special place. Not only are you able to do research, but you do a lot of programs, especially in the summer for adults and for youth. Tell us about some of those programs we can expect to see this summer.

Jeni Blacklock:  Well, as stated, you know, I learned a lot about RMBL through my kids, and so we do have this K through 12 programming experience that’s a tremendous opportunity for the K through 12 community, starting with the understanding of nature going into science, and then more advanced science topics all the way through high school. We also have one of the most diverse, both with regards to subject matter, but also student demographic as well – undergraduate research programs in the country. So we just had about 280 applicants for 40 seats,

Chris Kopf:  Wow! And those are all the students we see doing the 4th of July parade also. Right?

Jeni Blacklock:  <laugh> Oh my gosh. Yes! They’re all here! That’s Awesome. The “RMBLers” are all around <laugh>. Yeah. But it’s a tremendous opportunity for science and for really some of the top scientists in our world to come here, whether it’s undergrad, PhD program or top scientists in their field. But from the educational standpoint and programmatic standpoint, really the K through 12, and undergrad is where we shine.

Chris Kopf:  You have a lot going on out there in Gothic and, and all the programs… Tell us what we can do to help with RMBL. A lot of people get the opportunity to volunteer to be involved in RMBL to donate money… , Especially with federal grants getting cut, there’s going to be a bigger reliance… A lot of second homeowners here are so generous. And what do we need to know about that?

Jeni Blacklock:  Well, great question. Thank you for asking. You know, first off, check out the website (RMBL.org) Get onto our e-newsletter because that will be monthly updates. From there, come visit us – right… Right. So in the winter you can ski out. In the summer, drive up, check out some of your favorite trails, whatever it might be. We have an amazing Welcome Center (The Weldon and Rosalie Weekley Visitor Center), if you’re looking to volunteer, we have a docents program. The docents learn themselves about the science, which is incredible. And actually we have some docents this year who are actually volunteering and doing some work with the scientists as well. With regards to just coming out there, you know, it’s, it’s a great opportunity to visit. When you visit, meet at the Welcome Center, but then tell them how you want to get involved. Okay…

From there – you know, the federal landscape is uncertain we’ll say. Yeah. And so as we are navigating that, you know, some of our programs that we just need to continue our K through 12 programming, and then also our undergraduate research programming that was funded mostly through NSF. And so, you know, we’re always looking for donations.

We’re always looking, to bring new people up to speed. And then also, there’s membership programs as well. And so that’s another way to get involved, more from the science side, but, you know, going to events, “Sips and Sciences”, speaker series that we have as well. We have events all year round and so, you know.. There’s donations, there’s volunteer work, there’s memberships. And then of course, visit our website (RMBL.org).

I will say for a website we are getting an update or a facelift we should say. Okay. So, you know, just beware. But there’s still, information there for you to at least sign up for a newsletter and start getting more involved.

Chris Kopf:  Awesome! Well, thank you so much for all that you do and thanks for all the scientists and all the research, because it does filter down and, and really impactful things are happening because of the research. So thanks for all that you do.

Jeni Blacklock:  Yeah, thanks for having me, Chris. I appreciate it.

Chris Kopf:  You Bet. So next time you’re in Crested Butte, don’t forget to go out to Gothic and visit RMBL, Rocky Mountain Biological Lab. Have an awesome day!

Jeni Blacklock:  Thank You.

 

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RMBL: To Get Involved, Volunteer, Donate, Get Info… 

– Rocky Mountain Biological Lab – The RMBL Website

 

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