DRI Communications, Author at DRI

Sue Wagner wearing glasses and smiling at something just off camera against a black background.

Remembering the Legacy of Sue Wagner, Long-Time DRI Supporter and Pioneering Woman in Nevada Politics

By DRI Communications | Mar 18, 2026 | Announcements, Donor Stories, DRI Communications

Sue Wagner built the foundation for state support for DRI. She joined the staff of DRI in 1981 and served as Special Assistant for Government and Legislative Affairs for nine years, and ending when she was elected Lieutenant Governor. One of her major achievements at DRI was shepherding of special legislation through the U.S. Congress to establish the DRI Dandini Research Park. Sue remained active in local and state politics and continued to play a role in supporting promising scientists from DRI and beyond.

Family silhouette in front of house and clouds.

Take Charge of Your Estate: DRI Foundation Partners with Community Foundation for 7-Week Series

By DRI Communications | Mar 11, 2026 | Donor Stories, DRI Communications

Interested in learning more about estate planning and want to take charge of your estate matters? Sign up for the Family Estate Planning Series, presented by the Community Foundation of Northern Nevada and PBS Reno! The free, in-person 7-week Spring Family Estate Planning Series will take place on Wednesdays, March 18 – April 29, 2026. Each week will feature subject-matter experts as guest speakers and cover the fundamentals of estate planning.

Southwest Stormwater Center to Provide Regional Best-Practices Solutions for Stormwater Management, Financing

By DRI Communications | Jan 27, 2026 | Announcements, DRI Communications

Stormwater management professionals and stakeholders across the U.S. Southwest region will be able to learn about the latest, best-practices solutions for stormwater management and financing through the newly established Southwest Stormwater Center (SWSC), a regional knowledge center for new and emerging stormwater control technologies.

Educators are working at a table with laptops and various STEM tools during a training session in the STEM Co-Lab.

DRI Awarded Grant to Advance AI and Computer Science Education for K-12 Preservice and Inservice Educators

By DRI Communications | Jan 27, 2026 | Announcements, DRI Communications

The $2.7 million Department of Education award is a Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education grant. The four-year project will address the need to advance artificial intelligence (AI) and computer science classroom education in grades K-12. To accomplish this, training and resources will be provided to undergraduate preservice educators and those already in the classroom, with a focus on Nevada’s rural communities.

An aerial view of a green valley with mountains in the distance.

New Tool Will Help Manage One of Nevada’s Most Critical Freshwater Sources

By DRI Communications | Jan 26, 2026 | Announcements, DRI Communications

The Nature Conservancy in Nevada (TNC in Nevada), DRI, and the University of Wisconsin – Madison (UW-Madison) have developed the Nevada GDE Water Needs Explorer Tool. This new online resource helps land and water managers understand how groundwater supports groundwater-dependent ecosystems (GDEs) and how changes in water levels can affect them.

NASA and Partners Expand Crucial Water Tracking Program

By DRI Communications | Jan 21, 2026 | Announcements, DRI Communications

DRI’s Charles Morton, Associate Research Scientist of Geography, who had a key role in the expansion of OpenET said, "Delivering wall-to-wall evapotranspiration data across the contiguous United States at the field scale is a major milestone for OpenET, and it’s exciting for us to imagine the future research and practical applications this expanded coverage will unlock."

Desert shrubs and wildflowers are visible on the side of a mountain on a cloudy day.

Five Simple Ways to Support DRI This Giving Season

By DRI Communications | Dec 4, 2025 | Donor Stories, DRI Communications

A year-end donation, no matter the amount, provides immediate support for our scientists’ work and DRI’s strategic priorities. Here are five simple ways that you can help support DRI this giving season: Donate to mission support, gift curiosity lab season tickets to a loved one (or yourself!), donate appreciated stocks, make a qualified charitable distribution, and leave your legacy through a planned gift. Your support makes our important work possible. Thank you!

Sunset over the mountains with a yucca plant in the foreground.

Support Science That Matters Now

By DRI Communications | Nov 13, 2025 | Donor Stories, DRI Communications

Recently, in celebration of Nevada Day, DRI highlighted the work that our scientists do across this great state. And while our home has been in Nevada since our founding in 1959, our work has grown to touch nearly every corner of the globe. Whether it’s analyzing ice cores in the Alps, working with local communities to ensure access to clean water in Ghana, or supporting K-12 educators as they bring high-quality, hands-on STEM education to Nevada's classrooms, the projects our scientists undertake are tied together by a common goal – to help create a more sustainable and resilient environment for all people to live, grow, and prosper.

An attendee looking at the items they 3D printed with a pen on an activities table.

New Robert Z. Hawkins Foundation STEM Co-Lab Opens in Northern Nevada

By DRI Communications | Oct 13, 2025 | Donor Stories, DRI Communications

Earlier this fall, the new Robert Z. Hawkins Foundation STEM Co-Lab officially opened at the DRI Northern Nevada Science Center. The Robert Z. Hawkins Foundation generously provided funding to support the purchase of the necessary materials and equipment for the STEM Co-Lab. This space will serve educators and students, host professional development workshops, and education events for the community.

Aerial image of the Baltazor hot springs.

New Study Reveals Alarming Groundwater Declines Threatening Nevada’s Ecosystems

By DRI Communications | Oct 6, 2025 | Research findings, DRI Communications

DRI’s Dan McEvoy is a researcher with the Western Regional Climate Center, and he recently co-authored a new study showing the declining groundwater levels in Nevada. He worked with scientist Laurel Saito with The Nature Conservancy to address risks and solutions to this groundwater problem.
The aim for the study, published in Hydrological Processes, was to determine risk factors leading to the declining groundwater levels, and propose science-based solutions for groundwater dependent ecosystems (GDEs).

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