UW Arboretum is going digital

The Arboretum is home to thousands of plant collections and species that since the 1950s have been managed and mapped using handwritten records on paper. But, that’s about to change as the UW Botanical Garden is in the process of creating a georeferenced database and digitized mapping system for the 238-acre park. Read more about this development at this KOMO News story. 

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Ocean acidification center another example of state leading the nation

Washington’s governor and state legislators in the last session created a hub at the University of Washington to coordinate research and monitoring of ocean acidification and its effects on local sea life such as oysters, clams and fish. Based on what’s learned, the center will marshal efforts to improve the ability to forecast when and where corrosive waters might occur and suggest adaptive strategies to mitigate the effects. 

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Summer storms bolster Arctic ice this year

When it comes to maintaining sea ice in the Arctic, it seems, there are good cyclones-which bring cooler air and snow-and there are bad ones-which break off giant chunks of ice. Learn about the differential effects of cyclones on Arctic ice in this Nature news article, which cites APL’s Axel Schweiger and others. 

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UW garners highest score possible, named again to Green Honor Roll

The University of Washington has again been named to the Princeton Review’s Green Honor Roll, receiving the highest score possible for the 2012-13 academic year. This marks the fifth year the UW has achieved this distinction. The Princeton Review – known for its education services helping students choose and get into colleges – annually measures the sustainability of higher education institutions. 

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