Research Insights in
Semiarid Ecosystems
RISE

Recent research at the USDA-ARS Walnut Gulch Experimental Watershed (WGEW) and the University of Arizona Santa Rita Experimental Range (SRER)

Register here

University of Arizona, Tucson, Integrated Learning Center room 150 

[MAP]

Saturday, November 1 2025

8:30AM to 3:30PM

Objectives

  • Share recent results of research at the USDA-ARS Walnut Gulch Experimental Watershed (WGEW) and the University of Arizona Santa Rita Experimental Range (SRER)
  • Encourage future research activities at the WGEW and the SRER
  • Promote the WGEW and the SRER as outdoor scientific laboratories

21st Annual Symposium

Program

The Symposium will feature invited speakers presenting recent or on-going research on the WGEW, the SRER or other outdoor laboratories in the region. There will be time for questions from the audience, which will consist of federal agency, NGOs (non-governmental organizations) stakeholders from southern Arizona and university faculty, staff and students.

Registration

Registration is required to attend. 



If Your Plans Change

PLEASE Cancel your registration if your plans change, so that we can accommodate as many attendees as possible. To cancel, please use the link in the registration email confirmation to add the text "CANCEL" in the Comments section.

DEADLINES: 

The deadline for registration (as a courtesy for catering plans) is 17 October 2025. Walk-up registration may be available the day of the Symposium if there have been sufficient cancellations.

The deadline for Poster Abstract Submission is 11 October 2025. Note: Space is limited to 20 posters. Posters will be accepted based on the order of registration. Early registration is encouraged to secure your poster space!  

Donations to Support the RISE Symposium Program and Student Awards

Please consider donating any amount to support the Symposium Program and Student Poster contest awards (currently $1100 in awards, but award amounts will increase if donations are sufficient). You can donate at this url https://give.uafoundation.org/SantaRita-RISE and this QR code.


POSTER SESSION

A single award will be granted in each of the following categories:

  • Best Graduate Student Poster ($500)
  • Honorable Mention Graduate Student Poster ($200)
  • Best Undergraduate Student Poster ($300)
  • Honorable Mention Undergraduate Student Poster ($100)

To qualify for a poster award, the work presented on the poster must have been conducted on or have used data from the WGEW, the SRER, or both. Entry to the contest is made via the symposium registration link above.

Contestant’s posters will be judged and awards presented at the close of the Symposium. A poster should stand on its own merit, but poster judges will also be visiting with each student at their posters to evaluate enthusiasm and competence in the subject area. Note: Students in the competition will be asked to identify at least a 30-minute window in which they will be at their poster during the poster session.

APPEARANCE:

  1. Neat and visually appealing,
  2. Well organized and easy to follow; it has a logical and clear progression of problem statement, methods, and results, and
  3. Words are readable from an appropriate distance
CONTENT:
  1. Purpose of study is stated clearly,
  2. Conclusions are stated clearly and supported by results,
  3. Scientific method was utilized, and
  4. Topic relevant to semiarid ecosystems.

SCIENTIFIC ORIGINALITY: Creative approach.

GRAPHICS: Graphics are effective and enhance the results.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS/REFERENCES: Proper acknowledgements are given for support of the study, and literature cited.

INTERACTION WITH STUDENT PRESENTER:
  1. Presenter made appropriate reference to material in the poster and
  2. Presenter spoke clearly and effectively.

Posters should not exceed 36 inches tall by 60 inches wide. 

(applies to all posters, including student contestants and others)

Research Insights in Semiarid Ecosystems
RISE Organizing Committee:

Brett Blum, Phil Heilman, Mitch McClaran, Heather Throop (alphabetical)

bcb@arizona.edu
phil.heilman@usda.gov
mcclaran@u.arizona.edu
heather.throop@asu.edu 

Acronyms:
  • AES: Arizona Experiment Station
    AIR: Arizona Institute for Resilience
  • ARS: Agricultural Research Service
  • NEON: National Ecological Observatory Network
  • SAES: Southern Arizona Experiment Station
  • SNRE: School of Natural Resources and the Environment
    SRER: Santa Rita Experimental Range
  • SWRC: Southwest Watershed Research Center
  • UA: University of Arizona
    UO BIO: Univ Oklahoma School Biological Sciences
  • USDA: United States Department of Agriculture
    USGS: United States Geological Survey