October 2025 Newsletter
the power of PLACE
Director's Letter
Dear RMBL Community,
As the seasons change and we look ahead to RMBL’s future, I am reminded of the importance of building a strong foundation that allows science, education, and community to thrive in every season. I am thrilled to share exciting progress on the RMBL 365 Hostel acquisition. This initiative is central to our vision of supporting science, education, programming, and community engagement year-round by providing a space for students, scientists, and community members...
Ian Billick | PhD
Executive Director, RMBL
sciencestories
Community of Science
Dr. Paul CaraDonna first arrived at RMBL on snowshoes at the end of the deep winter of 2011. Approaching Gothic Mountain for the first time proved personally and professionally transformative. “Amy [Dr. Amy Iler of RMBL’s plant phenology project], now my wife, met me on my way in…”
Education Stories – October 2025
Learning from CHESS
Two students from Western Colorado University helped scientists collect data for the Colorado Headwaters Ecological Spectroscopy Study (CHESS) this summer. Conducted at RMBL in 2018 and 2025, it is designed to see how plants and ecosystems in the Upper Colorado River system are faring…
Voices of RMBL – October 2025
RMBL Friends and Alumni: Honoring Our Past, Inspiring Our Future
As RMBL’s Centennial in 2028 approaches, we are proud to share a grassroots effort—RMBL Friends and Alumni—created to strengthen connections across generations of scientists, caretakers, students, staff, and community members who have shaped RMBL…
RMBL Impact – October 2025
Community Impact of RMBL
At RMBL, our work is rooted not only in science but also in community. For nearly a century, RMBL has been a place where research, education, and collaboration come together to create knowledge that extends far beyond the Gunnison Valley. Today, as we look toward our second century…