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INSTAAR conducts interdisciplinary research and education on the past, present, and future of Earth systems in service of a just and thriving world.

With deep roots in polar regions, alpine environments, and Quaternary history, today we embrace a global perspective on bellwethers of environmental change.

Explore our research

Artwork for INSTAAR's 75th anniversary 1951-2026 showing the aurora over mountains with water in the foreground

75 years of discovery on top of the world

Join us in celebrating INSTAAR's 75 year history of groundbreaking research and education, plus all the amazing people who make it happen.

We also need your help to launch our next 75 years. Please consider donating, in any form or amount, to the people, equipment and resources behind our work.

INSTAAR's 75th anniversary (1951-2026)

Summer seminars at the MRS start in June

Mark your calendar! You are invited to attend summer seminars on Wednesday evenings at 7pm at our Mountain Research Station (June-August). All talks are free and open to the public, no reservations required.

See the seminar titles and dates

News

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Events

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Highlights

Spruce Gulch Wildlife and Research Reserve

A 476-acre foothills watershed near Boulder, gifted to CU by Linda Holubar Sanabria, is managed by INSTAAR as a living lab for research, education, and community groups.

The reserve The gift

Martha & John Andrews Grad Scholarship

A new scholarship supports the research of INSTAAR graduate students studying polar or alpine regions, such as their field or lab work, conferences, and publications.

Their scholarship