Drylands are often misunderstood as barren wastelands, but in reality, they are vital ecosystems that influence global climate and biogeochemical cycles. With rapid urbanization in dryland cities like Phoenix and Las Vegas, the need to rethink how we view and protect these landscapes has never been more urgent. To ensure the sustainability of these crucial environments, we must shift public perception and better communicate their significance.

 

Heidi Hogden, in collaboration with ASU professors Throop and Li, is facilitating an innovative program to help students improve their visual communication skills related to dryland ecology. Students from art, ecology and remote sensing classes will join a two-week module in the Sonoran Desert. There, they'll learn how to combine scientific concepts with art, exploring dryland ecosystems, multispectral imagery, and scientific illustration. This program will equip students with valuable skills in both science and visual communication, helping them better share their findings with the public.