Aerial image of the Baltazor hot springs.

New Study Reveals Alarming Groundwater Declines Threatening Nevada’s Ecosystems

By | Oct 6, 2025 | Research findings

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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Researcher taking a snow sample from a wall of snow.

Snow Droughts, Water Scarcity and Wildfire Risk : An Interview With Climatologist Dan McEvoy 

By | Sep 8, 2025 | Featured researchers

Dan McEvoy is a climatologist with the Western Regional Climate Center at DRI. In this interview, Dr. McEvoy answers frequently asked questions about how warmer temperatures are impacting water availability and wildfire risk in the West, and what he and other DRI scientists are doing to monitor these changes. This is the first in a new series of FAQ videos with DRI researchers.

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Wildfire in a forest of pine trees with billowing smoke rising into the sky.

What We Know About Wildfire Risk and Prevention 

By | Jan 30, 2025 | Featured projects

DRI scientists conduct a wide range of research on wildfire related topics to help policymakers, fire managers, and community members navigate challenges to public safety and health. In this Q&A, a selection of our scientists answer some of the most pressing questions about the environmental conditions that lead to the most devastating blazes and offer previews into some of their most relevant research.  

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Four winners of the 2024 Celebration of Science Awards standing in a line outside in front of pine trees.

Annual Awards Presented to DRI Faculty and Staff at 2024 Celebration of Science 

By | Oct 16, 2024 | Awards and Honors

DRI’s annual awards and recognition ceremonies were held at our Reno and Las Vegas campuses in early October to honor scientists and staff members for their achievements. Along with the below awardees, several faculty and staff were recognized for their long-term service to the institute. DRI prides itself on fostering a fulfilling workplace that builds internal community and inspires scientific discovery. 

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Firefighters

Climate change and “atmospheric thirst” to increase fire danger and drought in Nevada and California

By | Nov 19, 2020 | News releases, Research findings

Climate change and a “thirsty atmosphere” will bring more extreme wildfire danger and multi-year droughts to Nevada and California by the end of this century, according to new research from the Desert Research Institute (DRI), the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of Calfiornia, San Diego, and the University of California, Merced.

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