A forest in the San Juan range of the Rocky Mountains, with dead Engelmann spruce trees alongside live aspen trees.

Combined bark beetle outbreaks and wildfire spell uncertain future for forests

Feb. 9, 2021

Banner image: A forest in the San Juan range of the Rocky Mountains, with dead Engelmann spruce trees alongside live aspen trees. (Credit: Robert Andrus) Bark beetle outbreaks and wildfire alone are not a death sentence for Colorado’s beloved forests—but when combined, their toll may become more permanent, new CU...

A male elk stands in a forest clearing

Forests bouncing back from beetles, but elk and deer slowing recovery

Feb. 13, 2020

Trees killed by bark beetles remain standing in the southern Rocky Mountains. (Credit: Robert Andrus) Two words, and a tiny little creature, strike fear in the hearts of many Colorado outdoor enthusiasts: bark beetle. But new research from Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder reveals that even simultaneous bark beetle outbreaks are not a...

University of Wisconsin at Madison

Sarah Hart Accepts Tenure Track Position at UW

July 20, 2018

Sarah Hart (Ph.D., Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØGeography 2014) has accepted a new position as a tenure track assistant professor in the Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology at University of Wisconsin at Madison. University of Wisconsin at Madison While at Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder, Sarah's research interests were broadly based on the impacts of...

Study: Western forests decimated by pine beetles not more likely to burn

March 25, 2015

Western U.S. forests killed by the mountain pine beetle epidemic are no more at risk to burn than healthy Western forests, according to new findings by the Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØ that fly in the face of both public perception and policy. The CU-Boulder study authors looked at the three...

Massive spruce beetle outbreak in Colorado tied to drought, according to new Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØstudy

Oct. 11, 2013

A new Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØ study indicates drought high in the northern Colorado mountains is the primary trigger of a massive spruce beetle outbreak that is tied to long-term changes in sea-surface temperatures from the Northern Atlantic Ocean, a trend that is expected to continue for decades. The new...

Sarah Hart Receives National Geographic Young Explorers Grant

April 8, 2011

Sarah is the recipient of a National Geographic Young Explorers Grant. National Geographic provides these grants to help cover "field project costs for hard-working, passionate, creative individuals with great ideas".

Sarah Hart Receives John Marr Ecology Fund Award

April 4, 2011

Sarah received this award through the Graduate School's John Marr Ecology Fund. Its purpose is to provide grants of $300 to $1000 for Ph.D. candidates doing field research in plant ecology in the Rocky Mountains or the Arctic.