7 February 2017 Orientation Day 3 (Arctic Ground Squirrels)

As part of the PolarTREC program, I am currently in Fairbanks, AK for orientation and training. I am in the third day (out of six) and today, we began the day learning more about our upcoming expeditions. Over the first few days of orientation, we have learned basics about the Arctic and Antarctic regions as well as the technology we will be using. It has been a lot of information, but has made me even more excited than before about my expedition to Greenland coming up in June!!

This shows the sun coming up over the city of Fairbanks. This is the room on the fifth floor of the International Arctic Research Center in Fairbanks, AK.

Arctic Ground Squirrel

In the afternoon, we went to Museum of the North located on the campus of the University of Alaska Fairbanks. We were introduced to the arctic ground squirrel. This relative of the prairie dog has adapted to live in the harsh climate found in the Arctic.

Museum of the North (Photo by Michael Wing (PolarTREC 2009), Courtesy of ARCUS) At the Museum of the North they have several hibernating arctic ground squirrels.