Tracking the Restorative Effects of Good Fire

Tracking the Restorative Effects of Good Fire

A few miles south of Yosemite’s famed Glacier Point, ringed by striking granite domes, lies the Illilouette Basin. This small stretch of the Sierra Nevada Mountains has become a sort of fire laboratory, a place where natural wildfires have been allowed to burn since 1972. In contrast with the long-supported program of fire suppression that has dominated American forests since the late 19th century, resulting in dense and unhealthy forests, the Illilouette Basin’s story is about the benefits that natural fire can bring to the landscape.

Reno-Sparks Heat Mapping Project seeking volunteers for August 10

Reno-Sparks Heat Mapping Project seeking volunteers for August 10

In an effort to better understand urban heat islands and their impacts on our region, a group of organizations, led by the Nevada State Climate Office, is seeking volunteers to track heat on August 10 for the Reno-Sparks Heat Mapping Project. Volunteers will set out in pairs to drive or navigate a predetermined route, equipped with a GPS-equipped temperature and humidity sensor that can be affixed to a volunteer’s car. The original project date was postponed due to unusually cool weather.

Featured Story

AWE+ A DRI Global Initiative: Adaptable World Environment

Register by August 14th for the AWE+ Wildfire Summit

The AWE+ initiative will promote an Adaptable World Environment of strong, resilient communities in a climate shifting world. AWE+ 2024 – Wildfire Recovery and Resilience: Working Across Silos to Drive Solutions – is a global call-to-action for communities to implement measures that support resilience and human adaptability to devastating wildfire events. The event will be held at Encore Las Vegas from August 21-22, 2024.

AWE+ 2024

August 21-22, 2024

Wildfire Recovery and Resilience:
Working Across Silos to Drive Solutions

AWE+ A DRI Global Initiative: Adaptable World Environment

Upcoming Events

World Environment Day | DRI 2024

Support Science that Matters Now

Your support enables DRI scientists to dream bigger and grow their ideas into impactful solutions that benefit us all.

More than 60 years of scientific discovery and innovation, in Nevada and around the world

Since 1959, the faculty, students, and staff at the Desert Research Institute (DRI) have advanced scientific knowledge to help solve pressing environmental challenges and improve human health.

With more than 600 employees, over 300 projects on all seven continents, and two world-class research campuses in Reno and Las Vegas, DRI serves as one of the eight institutions in the Nevada System of Higher Education.

scientists launching drone into wildfire

Atmospheric Sciences

Research and services related to air quality and associated health risks, climate, cloud and aerosol physics, renewable energy, fire science, and atmospheric dynamics.

Dr. Kumud Acharya sifting through water

Hydrologic Sciences

Research, development, and education services contributing to society’s fundamental understanding of hydrologic systems and advancing the sustainability of water resources.

scientist pointing at hieroglyphics

Earth & Ecosystem Sciences 

Research in the life & earth sciences, particularly those dealing with the complex interactions of geological processes, organisms, biological communities, and human societies.

teachers listening to a presentation

Education & Workforce Development

Training Nevada's K-12 teachers and providing professional development opportunities and training for education-based activities.

Illustrated graphic of glass beakers for a lab.

Environmental Research Areas

DRI faculty and staff work in over 40 scientific fields on all seven continents.

illustrated graphic of globe

40 Laboratories and Facilities

DRI has more than 40 specialized labs and facilities on research campuses in Reno and Las Vegas.

illustrated icon of book, ruler, pencil, glasses

60 Years of Scientific Excellence

Since 1959, DRI has contributed to solving our toughest environmental challenges.

As a non-profit, we rely on your support.

By making a gift to DRI, you’re providing the resources our scientists need to better understand and address the challenges posed by our changing planet.