Director’s Letter — August 2026
Inspiring Curiosity. Building Leaders. Transforming Lives.
Dear RMBL community,
Over the past few weeks, something remarkable happened.
A playful story about some delightfully round yellow-bellied marmots captured the attention of people around the world. What began as a fun social media moment quickly grew into national and international news, with stories appearing on the NBC’s TODAY, in The New York Times, on Rocky Mountain PBS, and across countless other media outlets.
What struck me most about the excitement wasn’t simply that millions of people were talking about marmots. It was that they were asking questions.
Why are the marmots gaining weight? Why are scientists studying them? What can we learn from these studies?
A lighthearted story became an invitation to discover the remarkable science happening at RMBL. And to me, that’s exactly what education is meant to do. It begins with curiosity.
The excitement surrounding the marmots reminded me of one of my favorite personal memories of RMBL.
My two boys attended their first RMBL summer education programs when they were 5 years old, long before I was the executive director. Every afternoon they would come home bursting with excitement, telling us they were “learning how to be discoverers.”
They weren’t just learning the names of birds, bees, wildflowers, or streams. They were learning to ask questions. They were learning to observe the world around them, understand how it works, and become curious about what they didn’t yet know.
Watching that transformation in my own children is when I first fell in love with RMBL.
As someone who has studied STEM education for over a decade, I know that these kinds of hands-on, experiential learning opportunities are transformational. Research consistently shows that when young people are encouraged to explore, question, and discover through real-world experiences, they develop confidence, resilience, creativity, and critical thinking skills. Those experiences don’t simply create future scientists — they create future physicians, engineers, entrepreneurs, educators, leaders, conservationists, and informed citizens.
Today, I believe something even bigger: education is transformational at every stage of life. Whether someone is 5 years old discovering alpine wildflowers for the first time, an undergraduate conducting research alongside world-renowned scientists, a volunteer collecting long-term ecological data, or a community member attending a public lecture, education has the power to change lives.
It Begins with Discovery
This summer, more than 600 K–12 students participated in RMBL’s hands-on education programs.
Students explored mountain meadows, searched for pollinators, examined streams, learned about watersheds, investigated ecosystems, and discovered how the natural world works through direct experience.
These programs are about much more than science. They encourage students to become curious, ask thoughtful questions, solve problems, and build confidence through discovery. Many of our former students have gone on to become leaders in their fields. While their careers have taken many different paths, they all began with curiosity — and someone who encouraged them to ask, “Why?”
Learning to Become a Scientist and a Leader
Curiosity doesn’t end in childhood. This summer, 42 undergraduate students from colleges and universities across the country are participating in RMBL’s Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program.
These students spend 10 weeks immersed in research alongside some of the world’s leading scientists. They are designing experiments, collecting long-term ecological data, analyzing results, and learning what it truly means to be a scientist.
Just as importantly, they are developing the confidence to ask difficult questions, collaborate across disciplines, and pursue careers dedicated to solving some of our world’s most pressing environmental challenges.
These students represent the future of science — and RMBL is helping launch their journeys.
Education Doesn’t End with Graduation
One of my favorite aspects of RMBL is its commitment to lifelong learning.
This summer, our Visitor Center is expected to welcome more than 28,000 visitors. Families, visitors, and community members join guided walks through Gothic, explore wildflower meadows, learn about local history, meet researchers, and gain a deeper understanding of the science taking place every day at RMBL.
Whether you’re visiting for an hour or spending the summer with us, there is always something new to discover.
Education belongs to everyone.
A Lifetime of Curiosity
One of the best examples of lifelong learning is Svata Louda, PhD, a RMBL alumna whose passion for science continues today. At 83, Svata still leads volunteers in collecting long-term ecological data, demonstrating that curiosity and discovery never retire. Through decades of research, mentorship, and community engagement, she reminds us that science is not simply a career — it is a lifelong pursuit.
Her story also reflects something deeply special about RMBL. When Svata first came to RMBL in the 1980s, she found a community where ideas mattered, curiosity was encouraged, and young scientists were given opportunities to succeed. That spirit continues today.
Education Is RMBL’s Heartbeat
Scientific discovery has always been at the center of RMBL, and education is how we share that discovery with the world. Every student we inspire, every volunteer we engage, every visitor we welcome, and every researcher we support helps strengthen the future of science. Along the way, they also deepen our collective understanding of — and appreciation for — the natural world.
Education is about more than sharing knowledge. It builds confidence, creates opportunity, inspires leadership, and transforms lives.
Help Inspire the Next Generation
Your generosity helps make these experiences possible. Examples of the impact your support can have include:
$150 — Provides a scholarship for one day of hands-on learning for a K–8 student.
$200 — Provides a scholarship for one day of hands-on learning for a high school student.
$500 — Provides one week of support for a graduate student researcher.
$1,000 — Supports undergraduate scholarships for student participation in RMBL educational programs.
$5,000 — Helps provide public tours and educational programming through the Visitor Center for half the summer.
$10,000 — Funds one full scholarship for the undergraduate Research Experience (REU) for a full 10-week summer program.
Join Us
Learning happens every day at RMBL. Whether you attend one of our community events, participate in the Explorer Program, visit RMBL 365, volunteer, or simply spend time exploring Gothic, we invite you to become part of our community of discovery. Together, we are inspiring curiosity, advancing science, strengthening communities, and helping educate the next generation of leaders. We hope you’ll join us.
Learn More About Educational Opportunities at RMBL
Thank you for believing in the power of education and for helping RMBL inspire discovery for generations to come.
With gratitude,
Jeni Blacklock, PhD
Executive Director
Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory
Top: Young attendees of RMBL Family Fest 2026. Photo by Andrew Kunze, Recipe for Adventure
Ian Billick | PhD
Executive Director, RMBL