This year we moved the 3-day Jornada Basin Desert Ecology Short Course to the first week of August to provide more time for students and investigators to gather data during the early summer and report on it during our annual all-scientist gathering. This year we had excellent attendance during the short course, with upwards of 50 people at many events, including field trips, student presentations, and keynote addresses. A highlight of the short course, as always, was the BBQ under the trees at JER-HQ, where this year we were also celebrating the enormous contributions of our friend and colleague John Anderson who retired this September after more than 40 years with the JRN-LTER program. It was heart-warming to see the outpouring of affection and respect for John who has been so pivotal to the success and impact of the JRN-LTER. We will miss John but are also relieved that he plans to come back soon to help with the transition to our new site manager, Conrad Nelson!
Mark your calendars for next year’s Desert Ecology Short Course – and all-scientist meeting – which we’re planning for the first week of August 2026 (after ESA, which next year is July 26-31, 2026 in Salt Lake City).