Nels Bjarke is a hydrologist with the Western Water Assessment whose work is focused on supporting communities, municipalities, and resource managers to build resilience to natural hazards in the Intermountain West. He loves that his job allows him “to work with and get to know so many thoughtful and passionate individuals who are really making a difference in their communities.” Bjarke enjoys film photography and experimenting with vintage cameras — and he co-hosts a Water and Climate Happy Hour in Boulder, Colorado, at the end of each month.

Interested in attending the Water and Climate Happy Hour? Email Nels Bjarke!

What do you work on at CIRES?

I conduct research and provide science support for communities, municipalities, and resource managers across the Intermountain West to build resilience to natural hazards including drought, wildfire, flooding, and extreme heat. Much of my time is spent working with these partner organizations to determine how the best available weather and hydroclimate data can support their near- and long-term planning.

What are you most passionate about professionally?

My greatest passion in my work is finding ways to connect scientific research and data to planning and action. I really enjoy the process of building connections with researchers, planners, engineers, and community members who are collectively building systems that make our society more resilient to the ever-worsening natural hazards we face. I love that my job in CIRES and the Western Water Assessment allows me to work with and get to know so many thoughtful and passionate individuals who are really making a difference in their communities.

Tell us about a hobby of yours.

I'm an avid film photographer and get so much joy out of experimenting with vintage cameras. Film for me has been a way to capture the memories of all the beautiful natural spaces that I have the privilege of visiting, and it forces me to be much more intentional about every picture I take. This year I started shooting medium format film on a Mamiya 645 Super and have been having a blast with it!

Favorite vacation you’ve ever taken?

A couple years ago my dad, uncle, aunt, and I backpacked the Wonderland Trail around Mt. Rainier as an homage to my late grandparents who first met working in the National Park. There is nothing like the misty, mossy evergreen forests of the Pacific Northwest. It was so special to be out in the wilderness, connecting with nature and people I love.

How do you connect with folks interested in water and climate research?

A few colleagues and I host a Water and Climate Happy Hour the last Wednesday of every month in the Boulder area. If hanging out with water and climate researchers and practitioners over snacks and beverages sounds fun to you, reach out, and I'll add you to the mailing list! We are a fun and welcoming community (with the added bonus of being a little bit nerdy too).