Pika blitz
As drought persists across Colorado, many residents are asking questions about climate change. Durangoans can help answer those questions by taking part in a statewide study, the Pika Blitz 2012.

“It’s a great opportunity for the public to engage in the scientific process,” Mountain Studies Institute Education and Outreach Coordinator Emily Olsen said. Mountain Studies is hosting training sessions for the study this weekend, Aug. 4-5, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the Discovery Museum.

The study looks to residents for help collecting data on the American pika, considered an indicator species of climate change. The American pika is typically found at10,000 feet or higher and prefers cooler temperatures. This limited habitat makes the pika particularly susceptible to warming temperatures.

A relative of the rabbit, this mountain inhabitant has short peppery gray-brown fur, small rounded ears and is between 6-8 inches long.
Participants will learn how to identify pika habitat, and collect data and enter it into the PikaNET database.

With limited funding, citizen science projects like PikaNET are key to understanding how changes in weather and temperature affect the ecosystem.
Training includes classroom work and hands-on data collection in the field. For information or to register, visit www.mountainstudies.org or call 382-6908.

Book club in a bag
Thinking of getting into book clubbing but unsure of where to start? Bayfield’s Lavenia McCoy Public Library is offering six “book club kits” for check out. Each kits comes with eight books, a discussion guide and a handy carrying tote.

“We know many of our patrons belong to their own book clubs but sometimes have a hard time finding enough copies of a title through our local libraries,” Program Coordinator Karen Lemke said.

The library is also offering some of the hottest new titles, so no rehashed Bridget Jones’ Diary or Da Vinci Code. Titles include :
- Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
- Ed King by David Guterson
- The Marriage Plot by Jeffery Eugenides
- Running the Rift by Naomi Benaron
- Kayak Morning by Roger Rosenblatt
- The Lost Goddess by Tom Knox

And best of all , since it’s a public library, the kits are free (assuming you’re a card member in good standing), leaving more money for discussion-facilitating libations. Even Oprah would approve. For more information, call 884-2222.