In Context: 5 Web Perspectives On A Story In The News

Mountain Studies in universities and abroad

(The Gateway)

A new mountain studies program at the University of Alberta that has been in the works for a couple of years now was launched in December. The Mountain Studies Initiative is an interdisciplinary program created by English professor Stephen Slemon and phys-ed professor Zac Robinson. The program includes 25 scholars from different faculties and will take students into the mountains to study one of Canada’s “greatest natural resources.” 

1.

Canada’s first Mountain Studies initiative

Canadian Mountain Studies Initiative

The University of Alberta has been involved in mountain study since 1933 starting with work on glacier biochemistry. The goal of the new initiative is to advance the university’s existing initiatives to a “world class level.” This website outlines the importance of studying mountains and the goals the University of Alberta hopes to achieve with this new initiative. Studying the mountains is vital in making decisions about Canada’s natural resources and learning more about global warming. 

2.

A minor in Mountain Studies

The University of Montana

Like the Canadian Mountain Studies Initiative University of Montana’s minor in the study of mountains is interdisciplinary and faculty members are experts in a variety of different subjects such as alpine ecology, wilderness politics and glacial processes. The courses required to obtain the degree include geography, geosciences, biology, forestry and recreational management. Students will also take field trips to the Rocky Mountains in Montana and Alberta.

3.

The Centre for Mountain Studies (CMS) in Scotland

University of the Highlands and Islands – Perth College, Scotland

The CMS released a report in 2010 celebrating its tenth anniversary that summarized the centre’s activities. Over its first ten years the CMS developed two “state-of-knowledge” reports in 2004 and 2010. These reports demonstrated the importance of Europe’s mountain ecosystems as they cover 36 per cent of the continent and house 17 per cent of its population. The centre was created in August of 2000 and focuses on mountain environments and its dependents around the world. The centre’s goals include developing first-rate research, influencing environmental policy and helping to develop more academic courses like at the University of Alberta. 

4.

The Mountain Research Station (MRS)

The University of Colorado at Boulder

Although most research is done by outside researchers, the Mountain Research Station set up the Climate Program in 1952. The program uses data collected from four meteorological stations to assist government agencies, such as the FAA, with data collection and field assistance. The MRS has set up undergraduate field courses for students at the university and takes part in educational experiences offered to the general public. These experiences are aimed at providing important information to the public and federal agencies to make informed decisions regarding the preservation of mountain ecosystems. The MRS is an interdisciplinary facility located 9500 feet above sea level in the Front Range of the Colorado Rockies. It’s part of the University of Colorado’s Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research. 

5.

The Mountain Studies Institute (MSI)

San Juan Mountains, Colorado

The Mountain Studies Institute is focused on preserving mountain ecosystems, which occupy one fifth of the earth’s land surface, and to provide information and research to help better understand the importance of the mountains and their environments.  Currently the institute is in the process of establishing a field station, which will focus all of its research and data to one central location. The MSI uses its resources to help fight the environmental problems facing the San Juan Mountains and mountains ranges around the world. The MSI is a not-for-profit organization, founded in 2002, focused on mountain research and education.