At the conclusion of a long and arduous academic year, many students look forward to the rest and relaxation that comes with summertime. But while many are enjoying the glorious downtime of a few months without classes, others — faculty, undergrads, graduate students and postdocs — are in the field and in labs pushing their research forward. The summer of 2016 was no different.

Here are 10 stories about work coming out of the College of the Environment that you may have missed while you were poolside this summer:

  1. Interactive map shows where animals will move under climate change

    The data shows mountains as refuges and cities as wildlife voids.
    Featuring the School of Environmental and Forest Sciences’ Josh Lawler and the School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences’ Julian Olden

  2. A High-hat fish is placed in a plastic bag for half an hour during fieldwork in The Bahamas. Scientists measured the nutrient content in the water before and after to determine the fish’s nutrient output.
    Jacob Allgeier/University of Washington
    A High-hat fish is placed in a plastic bag for half an hour during fieldwork in The Bahamas as part of Jacob Allgeier’s research on fish urine and its impacts on coral reef ecosystems. Scientists measured the nutrient content in the water before and after to determine the fish’s nutrient output.

    Big fish — and their pee — are key parts of a coral reef ecosystem

    Trout tinkle sounds funny, but it’s serious science!
    Featuring the School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences’ Jacob Allgeier

  3. UW professor is digitizing every fish species in the world

    Scanning and digitizing 25,000 species of fish = dedication.
    Featuring Adam Summers from the School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, Department of Biology and Friday Harbor Laboratories

  4. Cougars could save lives by lowering vehicle collisions with deer

    Deer are more dangerous to humans than cougars. Who would’ve thought?
    Featuring the School of Environmental and Forest Sciences’ Laura Prugh

  5. Adam Summers advises Pixar on fish movements in new ‘Finding Dory’ film

    If you’re looking for a fish expert, we know where to find one.
    Featuring Adam Summers from the School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, Department of Biology and Friday Harbor Laboratories

  6. ‘Bright spots’ shine light on the future of coral reefs

    Against all odds, 15 coral reefs are doing better than they should be given the pressures they face.
    Featuring the School of Marine and Environmental Affairs’ Edward Allison

  7. See, hear and study the deep sea: Ocean Observatories Initiative data now live

    Coming to you live from the ocean’s deepest reaches!
    Featuring the School of Oceanography’s Deborah Kelley

  8. Journal pages list all the species of plants the UW Environmental Studies class has seen by the penultimate day of their backpacking trip in the Olympic National Park backcountry. Here, the group takes a break at Grand Pass.
    Steve Ringman/The Seattle Times
    Journal pages list all the species of plants the UW Environmental Studies class has seen by the penultimate day of their backpacking trip in the Olympic National Park backcountry. Here, the group takes a break at Grand Pass.

    What it’s like to spend 9 days in the PNW backcountry: ‘A reset for the human spirit’

    An exploration of wilderness in one of the lower forty-eight’s most untamed landscapes.
    Featuring the Program on the Environment’s Tim Billo and students

  9. Arc volcano releases mix of material from Earth’s mantle and crust

    Where exactly does volcanic lava come from? UW scientists investigate.
    Featuring the Department of Earth and Space Sciences’ Fang-Zhen Teng

  10. Long-term Pacific climate cycle linked to expansion of Antarctic sea ice

    Antarctic sea ice expanding despite climate-related global warming. Here’s why.
    Featuring the Department of Atmospheric Sciences’ Cecilia Bitz