​Increasing citizen engagement in scientific research

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​Luminous ID (version 2) is a mobile application software that increases citizen engagement in science by allowing for a quick identification of alpine plants in the field. Observations uploaded by users provide long-term plant and geographical data useful to researchers at the Niwot Long-Term Ecological Research site studying the effects of climate change on species distributions and phenology (flowering events). 

• Chardon NI. (2018). Environmental Studies Graduate Theses & Dissertations. 75. Chapter 5. [PDF]
• Chardon et al. (2017). App freely and publicly available on                         Apple AppStore and Google PlayStore.
• Press release: Chardon NI & Smith JG. (2015). LTER Network News.

communicating science to the public

​It is the creativity from different genders, races, and ages that inspires innovation and ideas in scientific research, and not the suppression, in any form, of diversity. Only once pay equality is achieved across all disciplines and once the expertise of a woman is valued as much as that of a man, will the field of science fulfill its enormous potential. 

• ​Opinion article: Chardon NI. (2017). WSL intern, p. 15.

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​As climbers we are frequent visitors to many sensitive regions, such as alpine ecosystems, and thus we have the responsibility to understand the consequences of our actions. Human disturbance is a major factor along with climate change that contributes to global change, and we need to improve our understanding of how this affects vulnerable ecosystems. 

• Interview with American Alpine Club: Oulton J & Chardon NI. (2017). American Alpine Club. ​​

​With financial support from local organizations, my two-year field study in the Colorado Rocky Mountains examined the effects of anthropogenic disturbance on Colorado's iconic 14er peaks, so that we can better understand how these effects might interact with those of climate to determine the geographic distribution of alpine plants.   

• Informational flyer: Chardon NI. (2019). American Alpine Club Annual Benefit Dinner.
• Description of research: Chardon NI. (2016). American Alpine Club Researchers. ​
• Video summary from the field

I examined the impact of human disturbance and a changing climate on the geographic distribution of the alpine cushion plant moss campion in the Swiss Alps, while on a doctoral research fellowship at the Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research. 

• Local interview: Bezzola D & Chardon NI. (2016). Forschung in Graubünden 2016, p. 3. ​​

​Multiple flora and fauna were threatened in the ecological and cultural important Baker and Pascua rivers in Chilean Patagonia by a proposed and controversial hydroelectric megaproject, which was rejected by the Chilean government in 2014 due to international environmental activism. 

• Information disseminated to Chileans: Chardon NI. & Rodrigo P. (2009). Flora y fauna amenazada por el projecto Hidroaysén en los ríos Baker y Pascua. Chile Environmental Corporation.

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