Volunteer Weather Observers wanted in N.D.

A nationwide rain and snow reporting network is looking for volunteers in North Dakota to become part of the state’s climatological history, says Adnan Akyuz, state climatologist and professor of climatological practices at North Dakota State University.

These observers will measure rainfall, snowfall and snow depth as part of the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow (CoCoRaHS) Network. Some observers also measure the water equivalent of the snow after it melts.

North Dakota has been collecting precipitation (rainfall and snowfall) data since the early 1900s in most places. When farmers, engineers and weather and river forecasters ask for precipitation data for a given location, that information comes mostly from volunteer observers.

“Now is your chance to provide that data and be a part of the state’s climatological history,” Akyuz says. “It’s fun, easy and only takes five minutes a day.”

North Dakota has nearly 300 volunteer precipitation observers.

“However, it is not nearly enough,” Akyuz says. “We need as many volunteer observers as possible around the state to help forecast flood potential, as well as drought assessments. Don’t worry if you do not know how to do all that. We have a lot of training materials for you to become an observer. All you need is an interest in weather to participate in the program and a cylindrical rain gauge.”

In your neighborhood, volunteers of all ages and backgrounds already may be measuring precipitation in their own backyards as part of CoCoRaHS, which has grown to more than 15,000 volunteer observers covering every state.

Data from CoCoRaHS volunteers routinely are being viewed and used by many professions and organizations, including meteorologists, hydrologists, emergency managers, city utilities, insurance adjusters, agribusinesses, engineers, science teachers and the National Weather Service. Data are used for many applications, such as water resource planning, severe storm warnings, teaching earth science, predicting crop yields and assessing hail damage.

“Because rainfall varies greatly across very short distances, CoCoRaHS observers fill a crucial need for many of these agencies, and through analyzing past events, it has become clear that we can never have too many precipitation reports,” says Daryl Ritchison, North Dakota’s assistant state climatologist.

During March, the CoCoRaHS network is running its annual competition among states called “CoCoRaHS March Madness.” The idea is to see how many new observers it can recruit in each state. North Dakota was the winner in 2010 and 2012.

“We want to show the nation that weather is important in our state,” Akyuz says.

To volunteer for the CoCoRaHS network, go tohttp://www.cocorahs.org/application.aspx.

Hammer Named to National Equine Council

Carrie Hammer, the North Dakota State University Extension Service’s equine specialist, has been named to the Scientific Advisory Council for the Horses and Humans Research Foundation (HHRF).

The 26-member council is a group of leading researchers and experts from equine- assisted activities and related fields. The members respond and contribute to a variety of foundation research-related needs. That includes advising and assisting the staff and board in scientific strategy decision making,educational outreach, and grant applications and assessment.

Hammer also is an associate professor and director of the Equine Science program in NDSU’s Animal Sciences Department. She teaches several courses, including Equine Nutrition, Equine Industry and Production Management, and Large AnimalTechniques, and coordinates student internships.

Her research focuses on improving equine health. She recently expanded her research into equine-guided education. She is certified in the EAGALA (Equine

Assisted Growth and Learning Association) model as an equine specialist and isinvolved with an interdisciplinary group on campus to increase awareness of animal-assisted therapy.

Hammer also has authored or co-authored several articles for scientific journals and the news media, and is a reviewer for scientific journals.

“Dr. Hammer’s expertise will be a valuable addition to the advisory council,” says Greg Lardy, head of the NDSU Animal Sciences Department. “Her breadth of experience in the equine industry will make her a trusted adviser for the group.”

She earned bachelor of science and master’s degrees, a Ph.D. and doctor of veterinary medicine degree from Iowa State University.

“Having experienced the positive ways in which horses can interact with humans, I am excited to work with HHRF to support quality scientific research and increase the dissemination of information regarding the numerous benefits of EAA/T (equine-assisted activities/therapies),” she says.