I thought you might enjoy this amazing slide show of photos from 2010 which were taken by Todd Paris, the university photographer. I think the photos do well to capture life here on campus and in Alaska.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
UAF reindeer researcher takes his job home with him
http://www.uafnews.com/headlines/uaf-reindeer-researcher-takes-his-job-home-with-him
Nancy Tarnai
907-474-5042
12/20/2010
Thoughts of reindeer are not limited to the Christmas season for George Aguiar; in fact the creatures are pretty much a year-round, 24/7 obsession.
Reindeer are the focus of Aguiar’s job and his graduate work at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and when he gets home each night, he has his own reindeer to care for. A research coordinator for the Reindeer Research Program, he is working on a master’s degree in natural resources management and geography. His research focuses on how meat quality is affected by freezing and storage time.
But to call Aguiar, 32, single minded wouldn’t be right; he plays guitar, skijors, gardens, runs and rides snowmachines, motorcycles and mountain bikes.
Aguiar grew up in Turlock, Calif., on a large dairy farm where his father was the herdsman and Aguiar raised his own cows, goats, rabbits and a pig. His family arrived in California from the Azores Islands and Aguiar didn’t learn to speak English till he was 5. “Our family traditions had to do with providing food,” Aguiar said. “Once a year we would have a big feast and kill a pig and make sausage. There would be dances and wine.”
His childhood brought him to realize the importance of food production. “We have to get food to the table and it doesn’t come from a grocery store,” he said.
Aguiar decided at a young age that he wanted to incorporate his ethics and ideas into how animals should be treated. “You know the end result but still you have respect for the animal,” he said.
While Aguair was attending a community college in California he hauled cattle and worked in the veal industry. In 2002 he headed to Alaska to try something new, enrolling in the UAF School of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences and persistently applying to work for the Reindeer Research Program until he got hired.
Although Aguiar had never seen a reindeer (“except on TV”) he quickly learned they were very suitable livestock for Alaska. He credits RRP manager, Greg Finstad, his supervisor and advisor, with teaching him an enormous amount about reindeer.
The more Aguiar worked with the animals the more determined he became to raise his own. Due to the Reindeer Act of 1937, this was harder than it first appeared. Only Alaska Natives can own Alaska reindeer so Aguiar and a friend tackled it another way; they went to Canada. Aguiar’s buddy took care of the truck and trailer and Aguiar signed up for the paperwork. “The more I investigated the harder it seemed to be,” he said. He wrote, called and e-mailed the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. There were permits and health certificates and vaccines to take care of. After a nearly endless nightmare of bureaucratic entanglements, the time finally arrived in August 2009 when the two men drove to British Columbia to pick up 11 deer.
Things went smoothly until they got to the checkpoint to re-enter Alaska. After driving 20 hours the guys were anxious to get home and let the animals out of the trailer, but the border guard at Northway had other ideas.
“I was cool and confident,” Aguiar recalled. “I had done all the paperwork.”
Told they could not bring animals into the country without representation by a customs broker, the fledgling reindeer producers had to backtrack down the road a bit and spend all night faxing paperwork to a total stranger. Just when they were considering giving up and perhaps even slaughtering the animals to try to recoup some of their investment, the process finally clicked and they got home.
Aguiar had built an eight-foot enclosure for his six reindeer on his Goldstream Valley property but he was a nervous wreck that they might run off or stray dogs
would attack them so he spent the first few days nearly camped out in the pens.
As for the agonizing trip, Aguiar said he doesn’t think he could do it again but he’s glad he made the effort that one time. “I’ll work with what I have,” he said. Two calves were born this year and he is looking forward to more next spring. His one regret about the Canada trip was that he wishes he’d bought more animals while he was there.
Eventually Aguiar hopes to build up his ranchette of four acres to be able to sell breeding stock and “crank out meat animals.” He would also like to get a little piece of the agritourism business.
Aguiar enjoys reindeer meat, especially when it is thinly sliced and cooked in butter with salt and pepper. “It’s just simple,” he said. “Hot and fast is the way I like it.” He touts the research that reindeer meat is high in protein and low in fat, but cautions that chefs should not overcook it.
In addition to his reindeer herd, Aguiar raises rabbits, chickens and turkeys. “There’s something about raising animals and being connected to your food source,” Aguiar said. “There is something fulfilling in that.”
One of his greatest challenges is the high cost of animal feed. He purchases locally grown brome hay, a pelleted mixed ration feed, barley and oats. In the summer the reindeer diet is supplemented with fireweed and willow that Aguiar gathers from roadsides. The deer eat twice as much in the summer as they do in winter, a key factor in their near-perfect adaptation to Alaska’s harsh environment. “Traditional livestock generally eat more to cope with cold,” Aguiar said.
Someday Aguiar hopes more farmers will raise reindeer. “It’s no more different than caring for a cow or horse or pig,” he said. “You just feed and water them, vaccinate them and treat for parasites.” He finds his reindeer are mostly mild mannered and calm. “A lot of it has to do with how they are handled,” he said. “Minimize the stress and keep their basic needs met.”
In his job Aguiar worked for two years with 4-H students, teaching them to raise and care for reindeer. This project led to the first market reindeer shown at a fair in the country.
His advice for wannabes? “Don’t let anybody tell you you can’t do it if you really want to do it. You must have the proper infrastructure. Make sure you are educated in nutritional requirements and husbandry.
“And make sure you have enough money for feed.”
—————-
This column is provided as a service by the UAF School of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences and the Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station. Nancy Tarnai is the school and station’s public information officer. She can be reached at ntarnai@alaska.edu.
Nancy Tarnai
907-474-5042
12/20/2010
Thoughts of reindeer are not limited to the Christmas season for George Aguiar; in fact the creatures are pretty much a year-round, 24/7 obsession.
- Photo by Nancy Tarnai.
- George Aguiar cares for his reindeer in the Goldstream Valley.
But to call Aguiar, 32, single minded wouldn’t be right; he plays guitar, skijors, gardens, runs and rides snowmachines, motorcycles and mountain bikes.
Aguiar grew up in Turlock, Calif., on a large dairy farm where his father was the herdsman and Aguiar raised his own cows, goats, rabbits and a pig. His family arrived in California from the Azores Islands and Aguiar didn’t learn to speak English till he was 5. “Our family traditions had to do with providing food,” Aguiar said. “Once a year we would have a big feast and kill a pig and make sausage. There would be dances and wine.”
His childhood brought him to realize the importance of food production. “We have to get food to the table and it doesn’t come from a grocery store,” he said.
Aguiar decided at a young age that he wanted to incorporate his ethics and ideas into how animals should be treated. “You know the end result but still you have respect for the animal,” he said.
While Aguair was attending a community college in California he hauled cattle and worked in the veal industry. In 2002 he headed to Alaska to try something new, enrolling in the UAF School of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences and persistently applying to work for the Reindeer Research Program until he got hired.
Although Aguiar had never seen a reindeer (“except on TV”) he quickly learned they were very suitable livestock for Alaska. He credits RRP manager, Greg Finstad, his supervisor and advisor, with teaching him an enormous amount about reindeer.
The more Aguiar worked with the animals the more determined he became to raise his own. Due to the Reindeer Act of 1937, this was harder than it first appeared. Only Alaska Natives can own Alaska reindeer so Aguiar and a friend tackled it another way; they went to Canada. Aguiar’s buddy took care of the truck and trailer and Aguiar signed up for the paperwork. “The more I investigated the harder it seemed to be,” he said. He wrote, called and e-mailed the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. There were permits and health certificates and vaccines to take care of. After a nearly endless nightmare of bureaucratic entanglements, the time finally arrived in August 2009 when the two men drove to British Columbia to pick up 11 deer.
Things went smoothly until they got to the checkpoint to re-enter Alaska. After driving 20 hours the guys were anxious to get home and let the animals out of the trailer, but the border guard at Northway had other ideas.
“I was cool and confident,” Aguiar recalled. “I had done all the paperwork.”
Told they could not bring animals into the country without representation by a customs broker, the fledgling reindeer producers had to backtrack down the road a bit and spend all night faxing paperwork to a total stranger. Just when they were considering giving up and perhaps even slaughtering the animals to try to recoup some of their investment, the process finally clicked and they got home.
Aguiar had built an eight-foot enclosure for his six reindeer on his Goldstream Valley property but he was a nervous wreck that they might run off or stray dogs
- Photo by Nancy Tarnai.
- Three of George Aguiar’s reindeer convene at the feeding trough on a cold winter day. Reindeer are so well adapted to the harsh Alaska environment that they eat half the amount of food in the winter that they do in the summer, unlike traditional livestock who must increase their caloric intake to deal with the cold.
would attack them so he spent the first few days nearly camped out in the pens.
As for the agonizing trip, Aguiar said he doesn’t think he could do it again but he’s glad he made the effort that one time. “I’ll work with what I have,” he said. Two calves were born this year and he is looking forward to more next spring. His one regret about the Canada trip was that he wishes he’d bought more animals while he was there.
Eventually Aguiar hopes to build up his ranchette of four acres to be able to sell breeding stock and “crank out meat animals.” He would also like to get a little piece of the agritourism business.
Aguiar enjoys reindeer meat, especially when it is thinly sliced and cooked in butter with salt and pepper. “It’s just simple,” he said. “Hot and fast is the way I like it.” He touts the research that reindeer meat is high in protein and low in fat, but cautions that chefs should not overcook it.
In addition to his reindeer herd, Aguiar raises rabbits, chickens and turkeys. “There’s something about raising animals and being connected to your food source,” Aguiar said. “There is something fulfilling in that.”
One of his greatest challenges is the high cost of animal feed. He purchases locally grown brome hay, a pelleted mixed ration feed, barley and oats. In the summer the reindeer diet is supplemented with fireweed and willow that Aguiar gathers from roadsides. The deer eat twice as much in the summer as they do in winter, a key factor in their near-perfect adaptation to Alaska’s harsh environment. “Traditional livestock generally eat more to cope with cold,” Aguiar said.
Someday Aguiar hopes more farmers will raise reindeer. “It’s no more different than caring for a cow or horse or pig,” he said. “You just feed and water them, vaccinate them and treat for parasites.” He finds his reindeer are mostly mild mannered and calm. “A lot of it has to do with how they are handled,” he said. “Minimize the stress and keep their basic needs met.”
In his job Aguiar worked for two years with 4-H students, teaching them to raise and care for reindeer. This project led to the first market reindeer shown at a fair in the country.
His advice for wannabes? “Don’t let anybody tell you you can’t do it if you really want to do it. You must have the proper infrastructure. Make sure you are educated in nutritional requirements and husbandry.
“And make sure you have enough money for feed.”
—————-
This column is provided as a service by the UAF School of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences and the Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station. Nancy Tarnai is the school and station’s public information officer. She can be reached at ntarnai@alaska.edu.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Rats Off Highlights UAF
Rats Off, a blog that has been mentioned on both the Today Show and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, recently featured the photo Todd Paris took of a sundog from UAF's campus that we featured in an earlier post. Just another example of UAF making national headlines, this time for our stunning location.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Movie Magic
Every year my family and I make a holiday movie to send out to our friends and family. Because I consider you prospective Nanooks my friends, and because there is a lot of Fairbanks scenery, I thought I'd share. Keep your eye out for the shots of campus (including reindeer!) and if you can tell the difference between scenes shot at 11 degrees above zero and those shot at -20.
The Kreta's 2010 Holiday Movie from Mary Kreta on Vimeo.
If you have any questions about locations or some of my amazing dance moves, send me an email at mary.kreta@alaska.edu
I hope you all have a productive end of semester and safe winter break.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Sun Dogs!
Photo of yesterday's sun dog by Todd Paris, UAF Marketing and Communications
There are three things about a Fairbanks winter that make me all aflutter: 1) the Aurora Borealis, which I fawned over in a previous post; 2) the ice and snow that cover every twig on every branch on every tree, every day, all winter, which I am certain to wax poetic about sometime soon; and 3) the sun dogs, the topic of today's post.
Yesterday felt like the first day of real winter and the thermometer hung out around -20 degrees. I gave a campus tour and, as we walked around campus, the man I was with had ice on his eyelashes. Yesterday also gave us the first great sun dog of the season.
Ned Rozell, with the help of UAF's atmospheric scientist Ken Sassen, explain the sun dog phenomenon as, "plate-like ice crystals" that reflect "sunlight from their flat sides and create columns of light that extend from the sun to the ground." Sassen adds that "the two colored bands are there because light gets refracted." To read the entire article, which contains a more detailed explanation, click here.
I think I love sun dogs so much because they are so unique to the arctic and they can't see them anywhere else. It just goes to show, we really are defined by our location.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Earn 3 credits in 2 weeks!
January 3-14, 2011
WINTERmester is an excellent opportunity to take a three-credit course before Spring Semester 2011 begins.
WINTERmester credit courses are intensive, meeting five days a week, January 3-14. Many credit courses require reading to be completed prior to the start of class. Check for the course syllabi link on this page and get your textbooks at the campus bookstore before leaving for break.
Registration for WINTERmester is available at uaonline.alaska.edu or at the Summer Sessions and Lifelong Learning secure registration form or by using the In-Person Registration Form for students as follows:
- November 8 - Online registration available for continuing UAF students.
- November 10 - Registration open for all students.
Registering for a 100 or 200 level WINTERmester course requires a 2.5 gpa.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
What Exactly is Broomball?
Broomball is one of UAF's most popular - and fun - intramural sports, but many students arrive on campus with no idea what it is or how to play it. UAF's student newspaper, the Sun Star, came to the rescue when they recently ran this piece covering the Broomball basics.
Late Night Sweeping
By JR Ancheta
Sun Star Reporter
Looking for something to do at night? Broomball is a late night activity that is growing in popularity. Envisioning athletes running after a ball with a normal heavy-duty broom is a reasonable concept, but often is inaccurate. “It’s basically just like hockey,” said Matt Anderson, a junior. “Except there’s no puck, no hockey sticks, and [no] skates.” Broomball is played on the ice rink at the Patty Center in the evenings from 10:30-12:30.
Davida Isaacs from Southeast Alaska, Prince of Wales Island runs accross the ice Monday Nov-8. "I've never been on ice before and I like to run" Isaacs said. JR Ancheta / UAF Sun Star
Broomball is a mélange of different sports such as lacrosse and soccer, but hockey remains its most predominant influence. Each team has six players, which includes a goalie, on the ice at a time but has the option to rotate players any time. Helmets are the only mandatory gear, but shin and knee protection are encouraged. Unlike hockey, slipping and falling are very common.
“All you need is experience,” said Matt Nyholm, a junior. “The more you play the better you get.” He said that having some soccer experience is an advantage in passing the ball. “Dexterity, coordination, and especially balance sure helps,” Nyholm said.
Whether it is the opportunity to meet new people or to try something new, broomball lures many to create teams and compete. “I’ve never been on ice before and I like to run,” said David Isaacs, a freshman from a remote Prince of Wales Island in Southeast Alaska.
Tamara “T” Dale, an exchange student from England, said she took up the sport, “because I’m only here for a semester and I wanted to try everything that was unique to have fun.”
The UAF Intramural Broomball Rules state: “no sliding will be allowed during game play.” This rule was recently enforced and disappointed many broomball players. “[Sliding] made it fun because you could travel a lot faster…[and] had more control…so you could do some stunts that [are] pretty awesome,” Jonathan McMahon said. “Basically, they’ve taken most of the fun out of the game.”
Ruth Olsen, Director of Intramural Sports and the Student Recreation Center said that the “no sliding” rule came into effect numerous years ago due to injuries from the sport Olsen became aware that the rule was not being enforced during a recent captains meeting. It is now enforced for safety and liability issues. “You can go to your knees, they just can’t run five feet, slide in their knees and then hit [the ball] because they have no control,” Olsen said.
Approximately 180 participants in 21 teams are playing this season and Olsen predicts it will continue to be a popular intramural sport. Sliding or not, students continue to be attracted to the sport called broomball.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Last week a student from the Outside (which is what Alaskans call everywhere except Alaska) was sitting in my office and we were chatting about UAF, Fairbanks, and the adventure that awaits her up here. I mentioned the Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights, to which she responded with a blank stare. I pulled up micrometeorologist's youtube page because trying to explain the Aurora is futile. It is, quite simply, impossible to do them justice.
We both sat transfixed. I've seen the Northern Lights more often than I can count, but my stomach still flip-flops every time I look to find them dancing above me.
We both sat transfixed. I've seen the Northern Lights more often than I can count, but my stomach still flip-flops every time I look to find them dancing above me.
Micrometeorologist is really Taro Nakai, a postdoctoral fellow at UAF's International Arctic Research Center. In his spare time he creates phenomenal youtube videos that communicates the overwhelming beauty of the arctic.
This next one is my favorite. In fact, I've watched it a couple of times (okay, 4) while preparing this blog post to, you know, make sure it really was my favorite. It emphatically is.
This final one is another of my favorites because it communicates how vital and exhilarating the winter sun is.
Music student selected for exclusive conducting workshop
From: http://www.uafnews.com/tag/students
Music student selected for exclusive conducting workshop
Emerson Eads
11/18/10 University of Alaska Fairbanks music student Emerson Eads is one of 10 people nationwide selected to participate in the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra Conducting Workshop next month.
“This workshop is a terrific opportunity for me, not just because of the teacher, but because of the professional orchestra,” said Emerson, a senior in the music program. “The ability to have podium time with the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra is a terrific opportunity. Also, the players vote on who will be selected to return and conduct the orchestra in a performance during the first week of January, so that’s an exciting opportunity.”
He will conduct at a concert Sunday, Nov. 21 at 4 p.m. in the Davis Concert Hall at UAF. The concert will feature the world premiere of his composition, “The Red Balloon Suite,” and a performance of Mozart’s “Piano Concerto No. 9 ‘Jeunehomme.’” Donations for admission will be accepted at the door.
Son of pianist and composer Emerson Eads Sr., Emerson has been surrounded with music his whole life. He grew up in Delta Junction, where his high school music teacher introduced him to vocal studies, music theory, sight singing, conducting and orchestration. After high school, Emerson earned a bachelor’s degree in history education with a minor in music from Covenant Life College. He taught choir and band at Whitestone High School in Delta Junction for six years before coming to UAF in 2009. During his time in Delta Junction, Emerson also directed the Whitestone Community Choir and the Delta Community Choir.
In addition to his work conducting, Emerson is a vocalist and composer. His resume includes the composition of a seven-minute work, “Homeland,” celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Alaska’s Statehood, which was performed by Opera Fairbanks. He studies with music department faculty members Jaunelle Celaire and Eduard Zilberkant.
“Composition and conducting are both equal passions of mine,” he said. “I love singing and, as much as I’d love to do it all, there aren’t enough hours in the day to devote to it all. I am so grateful to the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Department of Music and the faculty members, who have gone out of their way to foster my musical upbringing in so many ways.”
The Baltimore Chamber Orchestra Conducting Workshop is an acclaimed and highly competitive workshop. Participants work under the supervision of Baltimore Chamber Orchestra music director Markand Thakar to conduct the orchestra in works by Elgar, Mozart, Schubert and Beethoven. Participants range from young professional to advanced pre-professional conductors. Thakar is the co-director of the graduate conducting program at the Peabody Conservatory of The Johns Hopkins University, where Emerson plans to get his master’s degree.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Life in Fairbanks, by Ben Abbott, Biology and Wildlife graduate student
What follows is a blog entry written by Ben Abbott, a current Biology and Wildlife graduate student which was posted at http://www.bw.uaf.edu/graduates/life-in-fairbanks.php. I think Ben really captures what life is like here in Fairbanks and while it's long, I think it's completely worth the read.
"Please turn off your electronic devices, we are approaching Seattle."
It was mid January and I was moving from Utah to Alaska. James, a guy from Seattle I'd been chatting with, leaned across the aisle. "Just remember to keep your face covered. I went through Fairbanks once in February. Snow was so dry it froze my eyes open."
Until I moved to Fairbanks, I never imagined what life would be like just two degrees shy of the Arctic Circle. Fairbanks sits in the heart of Alaska's interior, combining the comforts of civilization with more than a taste of legitimate frontier living for those who seek it. Though my eyes haven't been flash frozen open by the cold, there's been so much going on that I have hardly closed them since getting here.
Blueberries are plentiful throughout Denali National Park. Photo credit: Todd Paris
What is Fairbanks like?
Search "Fairbanks Alaska" on YouTube and you'll find clips of the northern lights, the midnight sun, "moose walking in back yard" and the obligatory "coffee freezing in MID AIR" trick. A few novelties and eccentricities aside, day to day life isn't as different as you might expect from many other college towns in the U.S.
Fairbanks is the second largest city in Alaska, and the largest city in the interior of Alaska. There are 100,000 people in the metropolitan area (which includes Fairbanks, the city of North Pole, Fox, Ester and the surrounding areas). Downtown Fairbanks boasts a variety of small shops, cafes and restaurants. Ubiquitous store chains like WalMart, Barnes and Noble, Safeway, and Home Depot round out the commercial scene. Though you don't have the same variety you would in a larger city, you can basically find anything you need right here in town.
The Alaska Range makes up the southern view from Fairbanks. Denali (the highest peak in North America) is visible on a clear day from campus. A series of prominent hills (called domes by the locals) surround Fairbanks to the north, east and west. The Tanana River flows along the south side of town, and the Chena River meanders right through the city. Farther to the north the Brooks Range separates the interior from the North Slope and Arctic Ocean. Fairbanks is only at 440 feet above sea level.
Recreation
Fairbanks is hard to beat as far as outdoor recreation is concerned. In the summertime many residents go berry picking, mountain biking, canoeing, kayaking, rock climbing, road biking, four wheeling, and trail running. All of these activities are accessible right in town or nearby-no driving required. Basically anything you can do outside anywhere you can do here. The only difference is, with constant light, you can do it 24 hours a day.
Spring and fall bring bird migrations. Creamer's Field, the site of a historic dairy between the university and downtown, is the stopping point for thousands of Sandhill Cranes, Canada Geese and other migrating birds.
In the winter you can go cross country skiing, snow shoeing, dog sledding, skijoring, ice climbing, snow machining, snow biking, swimming (indoors or at Chena Hot Springs), running or check out the ice sculptures around town.
If you're looking to get out of town, Denali National Park, Gates of the Arctic National Park, and many state parks are within driving distance from Fairbanks. For both summer and winter activities there are quite a few community organizations planning expeditions, events, and adventures. The Outdoor Adventures program located in the Wood Center at UAF organizes trips and activities throughout the year.
Cultural scene
Living in Fairbanks, you have access to some of the most breathtaking and pristine wilderness in the world. That said, Fairbanks is more than just a base camp for expedition; it's also a nice place to live.
It was mid January and I was moving from Utah to Alaska. James, a guy from Seattle I'd been chatting with, leaned across the aisle. "Just remember to keep your face covered. I went through Fairbanks once in February. Snow was so dry it froze my eyes open."
Until I moved to Fairbanks, I never imagined what life would be like just two degrees shy of the Arctic Circle. Fairbanks sits in the heart of Alaska's interior, combining the comforts of civilization with more than a taste of legitimate frontier living for those who seek it. Though my eyes haven't been flash frozen open by the cold, there's been so much going on that I have hardly closed them since getting here.
What is Fairbanks like?
Search "Fairbanks Alaska" on YouTube and you'll find clips of the northern lights, the midnight sun, "moose walking in back yard" and the obligatory "coffee freezing in MID AIR" trick. A few novelties and eccentricities aside, day to day life isn't as different as you might expect from many other college towns in the U.S.
Fairbanks is the second largest city in Alaska, and the largest city in the interior of Alaska. There are 100,000 people in the metropolitan area (which includes Fairbanks, the city of North Pole, Fox, Ester and the surrounding areas). Downtown Fairbanks boasts a variety of small shops, cafes and restaurants. Ubiquitous store chains like WalMart, Barnes and Noble, Safeway, and Home Depot round out the commercial scene. Though you don't have the same variety you would in a larger city, you can basically find anything you need right here in town.
The Alaska Range makes up the southern view from Fairbanks. Denali (the highest peak in North America) is visible on a clear day from campus. A series of prominent hills (called domes by the locals) surround Fairbanks to the north, east and west. The Tanana River flows along the south side of town, and the Chena River meanders right through the city. Farther to the north the Brooks Range separates the interior from the North Slope and Arctic Ocean. Fairbanks is only at 440 feet above sea level.
Recreation
Fairbanks is hard to beat as far as outdoor recreation is concerned. In the summertime many residents go berry picking, mountain biking, canoeing, kayaking, rock climbing, road biking, four wheeling, and trail running. All of these activities are accessible right in town or nearby-no driving required. Basically anything you can do outside anywhere you can do here. The only difference is, with constant light, you can do it 24 hours a day.
Spring and fall bring bird migrations. Creamer's Field, the site of a historic dairy between the university and downtown, is the stopping point for thousands of Sandhill Cranes, Canada Geese and other migrating birds.
In the winter you can go cross country skiing, snow shoeing, dog sledding, skijoring, ice climbing, snow machining, snow biking, swimming (indoors or at Chena Hot Springs), running or check out the ice sculptures around town.
If you're looking to get out of town, Denali National Park, Gates of the Arctic National Park, and many state parks are within driving distance from Fairbanks. For both summer and winter activities there are quite a few community organizations planning expeditions, events, and adventures. The Outdoor Adventures program located in the Wood Center at UAF organizes trips and activities throughout the year.
Cultural scene
Living in Fairbanks, you have access to some of the most breathtaking and pristine wilderness in the world. That said, Fairbanks is more than just a base camp for expedition; it's also a nice place to live.
For a town this size, Fairbanks boasts an impressive portfolio of restaurants, cafés and dining establishments. Plenty of American, Mexican, Italian, Korean, Japanese and Chinese diners along with a whopping seven Thai restaurants populate the Fairbanks culinary scene. It's also worth visiting the "northernmost" Denny's, Pizza Hut, McDonalds etc.
Perhaps partially due to the long winters and frenetic summers, the Fairbanks community is very active, with frequent festivals, parties, lectures, races and other events. Every Wednesday and Saturday through the summer the Tanana Valley Farmer's Market brings together local artisans, craftspeople, growers and performers. Fairbanks has an active music and theater scene, which includes the Fairbanks Concert Association, Opera Fairbanks, several dance companies, the world's "northernmost" Shakespearian company and an excellent symphony orchestra. Part of Fairbank's charm is the mix of tuxedos, dresses, and Carhartts you'll see at any of these events. If there is a dress code in town it appears to be overalls, down jackets, and Xtratuffs.
Besides providing a stage for homegrown talent, local venues, including the Blue Loon and Pioneer Park attract a wide range of national and international artists. In the last few years alone Fairbanks has seen Elton John, Snoop Dogg, Cake, and the Wailin Jennys to name a few.
Weather
The first thing I thought of when thinking about moving to Alaska was the climate. Never having experienced anything colder that a few degrees below zero, -30°F sounded menacing and -50°F sounded impossible. Now that I've been through a few winters I can say, yes it does get cold and dark here, and yes life does go on in the winter.
While things do get cold in Fairbanks (it usually hits -50°F at least once each winter), the town's low elevation and far inland location make for calm and dry conditions. The snow comes gradually. There are usually only a few storms a year that drop more than a couple inches of snow. Fairbanks is a land of extreme temperatures but surprisingly mild weather. Staying active through the winter is key to staying happy and healthy.
By May things have usually thawed out. Summer brings long days, warm temperatures, and an incredible burst of activity and growth. For most of the summer (June-August) the sun is only below the horizon for a few hours and even then things never get completely dark. Summer temperatures are typically in the 50-80°F range and commonly sustain around 70°F for weeks on end.
The Alaska Range looms over Fairbanks on a frigid January afternoon. Photo credit: Todd Paris
Lodging
Due largely to high shipping costs and a long heating season, the cost of living in Fairbanks is 16.5% above the U.S. average . For a place with running water, you can expect to pay $800-1,200 a month. Campus housing is convenient and competitively priced, with utilities and internet-access included. There are single and family housing options available.
If you choose to live off campus, this is one of the few places where, along with "How much is rent?", you should ask, "Does it have water?" Dry cabins (small units without running water) are a common option for UAF students and can typically be found in the $500-800 a month price range. Housesitting notices are frequently advertised through the Biology and Wildlife list serve and can be a great way to save money and get a place near campus.
Transportation
Fairbanks, like much of Alaska, is truck-country. Cars and trucks are the most common form of transportation. There is also a well-developed bus and shuttle system, particularly around campus and downtown and you definitely can manage without a car. One thing you'll notice around Fairbanks is the number of bicycles. Cycling is a popular transportation alternative and there is a large cycling community. While the Fairbank's cycling infrastructure isn't perfect, it is growing. Campus and community clubs and organizations give workshops on bike maintenance, winter riding, and other subjects. With a pair of studded tires, year-round cycling is totally manageable and many students (including yours truly) use biking as their primary form of transportation.
Perhaps partially due to the long winters and frenetic summers, the Fairbanks community is very active, with frequent festivals, parties, lectures, races and other events. Every Wednesday and Saturday through the summer the Tanana Valley Farmer's Market brings together local artisans, craftspeople, growers and performers. Fairbanks has an active music and theater scene, which includes the Fairbanks Concert Association, Opera Fairbanks, several dance companies, the world's "northernmost" Shakespearian company and an excellent symphony orchestra. Part of Fairbank's charm is the mix of tuxedos, dresses, and Carhartts you'll see at any of these events. If there is a dress code in town it appears to be overalls, down jackets, and Xtratuffs.
Besides providing a stage for homegrown talent, local venues, including the Blue Loon and Pioneer Park attract a wide range of national and international artists. In the last few years alone Fairbanks has seen Elton John, Snoop Dogg, Cake, and the Wailin Jennys to name a few.
Weather
The first thing I thought of when thinking about moving to Alaska was the climate. Never having experienced anything colder that a few degrees below zero, -30°F sounded menacing and -50°F sounded impossible. Now that I've been through a few winters I can say, yes it does get cold and dark here, and yes life does go on in the winter.
While things do get cold in Fairbanks (it usually hits -50°F at least once each winter), the town's low elevation and far inland location make for calm and dry conditions. The snow comes gradually. There are usually only a few storms a year that drop more than a couple inches of snow. Fairbanks is a land of extreme temperatures but surprisingly mild weather. Staying active through the winter is key to staying happy and healthy.
By May things have usually thawed out. Summer brings long days, warm temperatures, and an incredible burst of activity and growth. For most of the summer (June-August) the sun is only below the horizon for a few hours and even then things never get completely dark. Summer temperatures are typically in the 50-80°F range and commonly sustain around 70°F for weeks on end.
Lodging
Due largely to high shipping costs and a long heating season, the cost of living in Fairbanks is 16.5% above the U.S. average . For a place with running water, you can expect to pay $800-1,200 a month. Campus housing is convenient and competitively priced, with utilities and internet-access included. There are single and family housing options available.
If you choose to live off campus, this is one of the few places where, along with "How much is rent?", you should ask, "Does it have water?" Dry cabins (small units without running water) are a common option for UAF students and can typically be found in the $500-800 a month price range. Housesitting notices are frequently advertised through the Biology and Wildlife list serve and can be a great way to save money and get a place near campus.
Transportation
Fairbanks, like much of Alaska, is truck-country. Cars and trucks are the most common form of transportation. There is also a well-developed bus and shuttle system, particularly around campus and downtown and you definitely can manage without a car. One thing you'll notice around Fairbanks is the number of bicycles. Cycling is a popular transportation alternative and there is a large cycling community. While the Fairbank's cycling infrastructure isn't perfect, it is growing. Campus and community clubs and organizations give workshops on bike maintenance, winter riding, and other subjects. With a pair of studded tires, year-round cycling is totally manageable and many students (including yours truly) use biking as their primary form of transportation.
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