I participated in the ARETs program, during July 2025, at the LTER site Toolik Field Station. Toolik is situated on the north of the Brooks Range, above treeline, along the Dalton Highway. During my time at Toolik, with 24-hour sun and temperatures ranging from 90oF to 30oF and snow, I spent my days helping capture and tag arctic ground squirrels. Researcher, Cory Williams, has more than 20 years of data on ground squirrels. I worked directly with grad student Austin Allison on collecting sex, mass and location data for the squirrels as well as implanting pit tags and ear clips for each individual.
near Toolik Field Station. Photo by Rachel Rigenhagen.
This experience led to a Data Nugget collaboration with fellow ARET teacher, Claire Gunder. The story and research is captured in “Snow way! Does snowmelt wake up squirrels?”. Our time at Toolik enabled us to learn all about the lives of ground squirrels and their fascinating hibernation schedules. Not only were we able to help contribute to the data being collected but also bring that experience back to our students in Minnesota. The storyline is made even more interesting to students because their teacher has first hand experience with the tundra ecology and the life cycle of the ground squirrels. Students were more engaged with the material as their natural curiosity piqued when learning about these adorable little rodents.
Read more on Rachel’s experiences over two summers at the Arctic LTER and how it changed her teaching.
Rachel also developed a lesson plan on nutrient cycling in the Arctic:
