Wright-Ingraham Institute

Have you ever had an ‘aha’ moment, when an exciting new idea emerged from a set of complex problems? The Wright-Ingraham Institute is developing unique ways of sparking more of those moments—critical for navigating the pressing environmental, social, and technological issues of our time. Bringing together varied perspectives, we uncover valuable insights that help communities adapt and thrive in a complex, interconnected world. This work builds on the important legacy of our founder, Elizabeth Wright Ingraham, who understood the value of thoughtful, interdisciplinary approaches long before they became mainstream. Today, we continue this mission with initiatives like our 2024 Field Station program, Nexus of Land and Water in Southern Colorado, and our Drought Interfaces online tool—a cutting-edge resource helping communities navigate the impacts of drought in the American Southwest. Your support advances efforts like these, and furthers the Institute’s work to create new and much-needed opportunities for leaders in interdisciplinary research. In the words of a recent collaborator: “Field Stations was a life-changing experience for me—one which will inform my professional and personal trajectory for years to come. I am so thankful for the lessons I learned!” This transformational impact on future leaders is only possible because of donors like you. Our aim is to raise $30,000 by the end of the year. As we approach the year’s end, we invite you to make a gift that ensures WII can continue to lead and inspire in 2024 and beyond. Your support helps the Institute continue its work to address complex ecological challenges, and sustains our legacy of innovation and impact. Support our work by making a one-time or recurring donation through the link below. Image: Our San Luis Valley team prepares their presentation for the Nexus of Land and Water Symposium this October in Cortez, Colorado at the Center for Earth Theology. From left: Angie Mestas, Patrick O’Neill, Madeline Wilson, Seth Denizen. (Credit: Heidi Steltzer) #givingtuesday https://lnkd.in/ep-SAZsv

Thanks Shannon Mullane for this wonderful write up of our recent Dust-on-Snow conference in Colorado. We'll be sharing video and transcripts and a full report in the coming weeks, but Shannon hits many of the key takeaways here! https://lnkd.in/eHgndyT3

Join us for a one-day symposium on the critical dust-on-snow issue in the San Juan Mountains. This event is free and hosted by the Wright-Ingraham Institute in partnership with the Mountain Studies Institute. Nexus of Land and Water takes place in Southern Colorado and highlights the findings of an interdisciplinary team of researchers focused on addressing land health and water resource challenges in the Southwest. Experts from diverse fields will present innovative strategies to tackle these pressing concerns. Tickets are free and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Register via link. This project of the Wright-Ingraham Institute is funded by the Southwestern Water Conservation District, Colorado Water Conservation Board, the Gale Family Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts. We extend our gratitude to our collaborators at the Mountain Studies Institute, Center for Snow and Avalanche Studies, New Mexico State University, USDA Soil Health Services, and the Center for Earth Theology.

We’re excited to share an update on Nexus of Land and Water: Southwest Initiative on Land Health and Water Resources. This interdisciplinary research project, running from June to November 2024, brings together 21 researchers, artists, professionals, and community leaders – split into three research teams – to address the pressing issue of dust-on-snow in the San Juan Mountains. As dust accelerates snowmelt, it can create serious challenges for water availability, agriculture, and community health. WII’s integrated research methods create spaces where innovative solutions can emerge and new partnerships can thrive to address these kinds of complex concerns. We are now reaching the midpoint of the project, and our research teams are refining their ideas and preparing for the upcoming symposium in Cortez, Colorado, on October 30. Once there, they’ll present their work, discuss key findings, and set the stage for pilot projects. We are thrilled about the progress and the potential impact of this initiative, and we can’t wait to see what they do. We want to thank our partners at the Mountain Studies Institute, Center for Snow and Avalanche Studies, New Mexico State University, the United States Department of Agriculture, Soil Health Services, and the Center for Earth Theology. We are also grateful to our funders at the National Endowment for the Arts, Colorado Water Conservation Board, and the Southwestern Water Conservation District – we couldn’t be doing this work without you! WII Images: 1/ Problem solvers working in the field, Madeline Wilson A key component of the San Luis Valley focus group’s strategy is developing a comprehensive “revegetation playbook,” which includes visual guides and resources for producers. 2/ Dust source, Nicholas Webb 2/ Areal photo: Earth Observatory NASA Regional group looking at dust trends in the Four Corners Region.

Hi friends and followers! We invite you to read about the ongoing work at the intersection of ecology, culture, complex systems, and conservation from Wright-Ingraham Institute's 2023/24 grants program recipients –?Drylands Agroecology Research, Grand Staircase Escalante Partners, Wisdom Carriers Documentary, Practice Foundation, Leros Humanism Seminars at Columbia University, and Kindness Farm. All great orgs making significant contributions to making the world a better place. We're proud to support them!

We are pleased to introduce the interdisciplinary group of problem solvers participating in this year’s Field Stations research program. These professionals will contribute insights from environmental science, ecology, agriculture, conservation, engineering, policy, education, community engagement, design, and other fields to envision new solutions for a complex ecological concern.? ? Over the next few months these problem solvers will develop applied research projects that address dust mobilization and align with the needs and values of the affected communities. We will share highlights from the progress here and the full proposals and findings will be presented at a symposium in Colorado in the fall. ? ? Read more about the group of problem solvers and our core team, below! ? #dustonsnow #fieldstations #colorado #snow #climatechange #research #environmentalscience #conservation #education #wrightingraham #mountainstudiesinstitute? ? https://lnkd.in/eyF2j47U

The Wright-Ingraham Institute (WII) is delighted to announce the appointment of Tal Beery as Executive Director. Tal brings over fifteen years of experience in the environmental, arts, and educational sectors, and a distinguished career in nonprofit leadership, development, and strategic planning. Tal will be instrumental in implementing WII’s strategic plan and raising funds to fulfill the Institute’s mission, which fosters integrated studies and multifaceted research to bear on our understanding of complex environmental, ecological, and cultural systems. ? ? Tal is joining a talented staff that includes Dylan Gauthier and Frida Foberg. Having served as Managing Director over the past year, Dylan will move into a new role as Director of Research, supporting the Institute’s research wing, StudyTank, by guiding research priorities and goals. He will also continue to advise the Institute’s grantmaking initiatives. Frida will continue in her role as Program Manager of Field Studies, facilitating the Institute’s groundbreaking field study initiatives, including the 2024 program “Nexus of Land and Water: Southwest Initiative on Land Health and Water Resources.”? ?“Tal’s extensive experience in fundraising, nonprofit operations, and his passion for interdisciplinary education make him the perfect leader for the WII in our next phase of growth,” said Catherine Ingraham, President of the Board of Directors. “I am confident that under his leadership and with the continued dedication of Dylan, Frida, and our Board, the Institute will make significant strides in expanding our impact and ensuring our longevity.”? ? Read more about our staff on our website: https://lnkd.in/eZF7Uvng