JUNEAU ICEFIELD RESEARCH PROGRAM: SIXTY YEARS OF CLIMATE SCIENCE AND STUDENT FIELD RESEARCH TRAINING

In 1946 the first reconnaissance surveys of the Juneau Icefield were done, beginning sixty years of the Juneau Icefield Research Program (JIRP). From 1950-1958 the American Geographical Society of New York under contract with the U.S. Office of Naval Research launched a 10-year climate study focused on glacier hydrology and its relationship to ice terminus locations and climate trends. This research-based effort gathered university faculty and their graduate students aided by the U.S. Forest Service, local Juneau citizens, and U.S. military personnel who enabled the research by delivering supplies and camp materials from Kodiak Island, Anchorage, and Annette Island to the Taku Glacier. This effort encompassed the International Geophysical Year of 1958-1959. In 1955 the Foundation for Glacier and Environmental Research was formed as a nonprofit entity to support the program. By 1979, eight undergraduates were participating in the JIRP program. Between 1987-1995, the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Research for Undergraduate Program (REU) supported 98 undergraduates hailing from 74 different universities Throughout the years, more Graduate students, undergraduates, high school students supported through NSF’s Young Scholars Program (YSP), and grant-supported, in-service science teachers were added to this summer program. With permanent nunatak camps located throughout the 3,176 km2 glacierized border region of southeastern Alaska and northern British Columbia, the program evolved into a two-component, 8-week summer research experience coupling a science institute with a glacier surface expedition. Over the years JIRP students have studied all aspects of glaciology, ice geophysics, bedrock geology and structure, glacial geomorphology, glacier hydrology, geodynamics, and nunatak and firn pack ecology. The JIRP program has provided important early career training for many leading climate scientists in US and the world.