Spring Science Fling 2025
Join us for another fun spring weekend of hands-on field science and ecology with renowned experts surrounded by the spectacular Mentasta and Wrangell mountains.
Dr. Carol McIntyre will be sharing insights from her work on one of the largest golden eagle migrations in the world, with the opportunity for you to sight them as they soar overhead.
Dr. Helena Buurman will also be back to lead some fascinating ice sampling sessions, which will be complemented with WISE’s macroinvertebrate exploration - find out what’s going on in AND under the ice of Twin Lakes for yourself!
Dr. Kyle Cutting will be covering Dall sheep, bald eagles, and more.
New for 2025: Field Sketching with renowned local artist Kristin Link, and the lively science of the Northern Lights after the sun goes down. Try your knowledge at a round of trivia.
SCHEDULE
Friday, March 28
7pm Casual Dinner with the scientists
Saturday, March 29
8:30am Breakfast
9:15am Introduction and Orientation
9:45 Head out to the lake (20 minute walk/snowshoe)
10:10-Noon Ice Sampling with Dr. Helena Buurman on Twin Lake
12-12:30 Field Lunch on the ice
12:30 pm Talk with Dr. Kyle Cutting, NPS on bald eagles, Dall sheep, and caribou in the area.
1-4pm Afternoon Session Rotation
· Raptor Migration with Dr. Carol McIntyre
· Macroinvertebrates under the ice with Robin Mayo, WISE
4:30 - 5:30 Field Sketching with Kristin Link (in lodge or outdoors)
6:30 pm Dinner, Dr. Helena Buurman Aurora Talk and Slideshow
7:30 Trivia & Prizes!
Sunday, March 30
8:30am Breakfast and Indigenous Perspectives with Calvin Justin
10am Official Closing
All Day- Explore on your own
Lodging Packages for Participants
Let us take care of your meals and lodging so all you need to worry about is enjoying your time here at a relaxed pace.
We’re offering a 20% lodging discount and the option for meal service for event participants wishing to stay over: Spend a night (or two) in a cozy wood-heated log cabin or well-outfitted yurt and get to know some incredible scientists while soaking in the magic of this special place. Plenty of x-c skiing and fat biking trails right out your door with eagles and the aurora overhead!
RSVP for meals/lodging by Saturday,
March 22, 2025, by calling 907-259-7326 or email info@avensalaska.com or click below
Let us take care of meals and lodging so all you need to worry about is enjoying yourself!
Spring Science at the Lodge: A Community Tradition Takes Root
The Rego family’s Spring science event in Nabesna began as a collaboration with Wrangell Institute for Science and Environment (WISE) and was inspired by renowned ornithologist Dr. Carol McIntyre. For nearly 40 years, Dr. McIntyre has studied golden eagles in Denali and Wrangell St. Elias national parks, and is now using the lodge as her field research base each March-April while studying one of the largest eagle migrations in the world.
Dr. Carol McIntyre has thousands of hours studying golden eagles (Photo courtesy Carol McIntyre)
As longtime WISE supporters, the Regos saw an opportunity to connect the community with incredible science in their own backyard, fostering a deeper appreciation for local ecology while raising support for WISE’s important outreach.
Photo courtesy Tenley Nelson, Copper River Record
The first event in 2023 included Dr. McIntyre’s raptor talk and field session, followed by a fundraiser lunch social at the lodge, drawing about 30 participants. The following year’s event grew, beginning with hands-on ice sampling at Twin Lake with geophysicist Dr. Helena Buurman, followed by another excellent interactive field session with Dr. McIntyre, an outdoor lunch, afternoon trails exploration and visiting, and an evening of dinner and fireside chats on regional wildlife and volcanoes with Drs. Kyle Cutting and Buurman. Sunday wrapped up with a breakfast visit by local elder Calvin Justin, who shared his experiences from years living and working in the country.
Elder Calvin Justin shares his perspectives from decades on the land here
With around 35 participants, the event not only provided a chance to witness numerous raptors overhead while experiencing the stunning Nabesna landscape but also reinforced the importance of understanding the unique ecology of the area. By blending science, community, and the outdoors, the Rego family and WISE have set a meaningful tradition that fosters awareness and stewardship of the region’s natural and cultural heritage.