New series by Idaho Public TV highlights research by Idaho scientists, includes research by Idaho State University faculty

The Portneuf River will be the subject of the first episode of Idaho Public Television’s new series Idaho Science Journal that features the work of the state’s most interesting researchers, including those at Idaho State University, at 7:50 p.m. Thursdays beginning April 23.

Every day, Idaho scientists conduct research to describe, define, investigate and understand the world in which we live and these 10-minute episodes will explore those efforts.

The first program features research by ISU scientists on the state of the 120-mile long Portneuf River. This river runs free for much of its journey, but it is shunted through a cement chute within Pocatello. ISU scientists are investigating how to restore this natural resource and still balance the needs of flood control and agricultural concerns. This segment was produced by reporter Kris Millgate.

Other episodes planned include:

• April 30 – How will growth impact water use in the Treasure Valley for the next 30 years? Reporter Joan Cartan-Hansen talks with a researcher at Boise State University who has developed computer models to allow policy makers and residents to understand how building roads, homes and businesses could impact water availability and quality for all the valley’s residents.

• May 7 – When scientists study water, sometimes they head uphill. Reporter Kris Millgate follows ISU researchers in the Gibson Jack watershed as they install testing equipment to trees to learn more about how these plants use water and how that might impact flow management plans for the West.

• May 14 – Off-highway vehicle activity has increased on Bureau of Land Management lands nationwide, and specifically in southwestern Idaho. That may be bad news for the golden eagles. Reporter Joan Cartan-Hansen goes along with scientists from BSU as they study how human disturbances are impacting these amazing birds and what can be done to find a balance between people’s desire to get into the backcountry and the needs of the birds.

• May 21 – A new smart phone app is helping citizen scientists leave their mark. ISU researchers have developed an app for community input on the Portneuf River. Reporter Kris Millgate follows one family as they use the app to help stakeholders discover the places people value along the river.

• May 28 – Policy makers are clashing over the future of nuclear storage at the Idaho National Laboratory. Reporter Aaron Kunz updates viewers on the status of activity at the INL and at clean-up operations.

• June 4 – Thousands of bats across the country are dying from the disease White Nose Syndrome. Reporter Joan Cartan-Hansen follows scientists as they test brown bats to see if the disease has spread to Idaho. This report originally aired on Idaho Public Television’s Science Trek program.

• June 11 – Salmon may have a faster way to make it around dams– use a cannon. Reporter Aaron Kunz shows how the Seattle-based Whooshh Innovations’ new salmon cannon can move these fish in three easy steps and move them more safely and less expensively than current technology.

• June 18 – Earthquakes aren’t the only things that shake the ground. Scientists can study the earth-moving power of BSU football fans. Reporter Joan Cartan-Hansen joins the BSU geosciences department at a scientific tailgating party as researchers show undergraduates how seismographs work. This report originally aired on Idaho Public Television’s Science Trek program.