Friends of the National Center

06/15/2026

Outdoor learning sparks curiosity, builds connections to nature, and helps bring science to life!

This June, we're proud to support the NSF NCAR & UCAR Science Education (SciEd) through the Give Outdoor Learning Campaign. Through hands-on programs and educational resources, SciEd helps learners of all ages better understand Earth’s interconnected systems and the science that shapes our planet.

If you'd like to support outdoor learning and science education, please consider making a donation: https://www.coloradogives.org/story/UCARSciEd

Thank you for supporting the UCAR Center for Science Education!

06/10/2026

Love running, obstacle races, and supporting a great cause?

Take on a Spartan or Tough Mudder event while fundraising for the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research!

Friends of the National Center is offering 25 free race entries for participants who commit to peer-to-peer fundraising.

How to qualify:
1. Complete the online registration form
2. Raise at least $350 through your fundraising efforts
3. Receive a coupon code for a free race entry

Entries are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so be sure to sign up early!

Register here: https://lnkd.in/gu2s52uT

06/01/2026

This June, we're proud to support the UCAR Center for Science Education (SciEd) through the Give Outdoor Learning Campaign!

The Give Outdoor Learning Campaign celebrates organizations that help people connect with nature through meaningful outdoor learning experiences during National Get Outdoors Month.

UCAR SciEd brings science to life through hands-on programs, field experiences, teacher resources, and community engagement opportunities that inspire curiosity and deepen our understanding of the planet. By connecting learners of all ages with the natural world, these programs foster a lifelong appreciation for science and the environment.

If you believe in the value of outdoor learning and science education, please consider making a donation to UCAR SciEd this month.

Thank you for supporting the UCAR Center for Science Education!

05/26/2026

The new Friends newsletter has arrived!

Inside this issue:
✨ Updates on advocacy efforts supporting NSF NCAR and UCAR
🔬 Inspiring stories from early-career scientists
🎓 Highlights from the Kasahara Pathways in Science Fund
🏃 New opportunities to support the mission through fundraising and community events

There’s a lot happening across the Friends community, and we’re excited to share it with you!

Read the full newsletter here:

The first few months of 2026 have been a period of unprecedented activity for all of us at UCAR and NSF NCAR. While the environment around federal funding remains complex, I want to reassure you that our focus remains unwavering: preserving our foundational research capabilities and retaining the wo...

05/11/2026

Do you love to run? Join a Spartan or Tough Mudder race and support UCAR through peer-to-peer fundraising!

Friends of the National Center has 25 free race entries available for any Spartan or Tough Mudder event.

Here’s how it works:
- Commit to raising at least $350 through your fundraising efforts
- Complete our online registration form
- Receive a coupon code to register for your race for free

Free entries will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, so don’t wait!

Whether you're racing for fun, fitness, or the challenge, this is a great opportunity to support UCAR while taking on an unforgettable event.

Register here: https://forms.gle/6J9mjHFTn15RTBcG9

04/20/2026

We want to extend a big thank you to the volunteers and adaptive athletes who joined us this past Saturday for a beautiful hike behind the NSF NCAR & UCAR Mesa Lab! This event was held in collaboration with The Lockwood Foundation and the University of Colorado Boulder. We had a wonderful time connecting with the broader Boulder community and learning about accessibility in the outdoors. We look forward to doing it again next year!

04/14/2026

We’re excited to share that our Director, Sarah Swanson, will be speaking at the upcoming Responsive Action Panel Conversation in Denver!

This event brings together Denver area nonprofit leaders to explore how mission-driven organizations are responding to today’s challenges, and how we can reimagine our work for the future.

Come for the conversation, stay for connection, and leave inspired to take action. This event is open to the broader community—not just those in the nonprofit sector. We hope to see you there!

Details:
🗓 Thursday, April 23
🕠 5:30–7:30 PM
📍 1100 Fillmore St., Denver, CO
https://lnkd.in/g2RMEKb6

01/21/2026

We’re thrilled to announce the launch of The Air We Share, a new Friends of the National Center podcast spotlighting the stories of our retired colleagues from UCAR, NSF NCAR, and UCP; the people whose curiosity helped shape the science, culture, and legacy of our organization.

In Season 1, we explore the theme of curiosity through personal interviews. These conversations capture the spark that drew each guest to atmospheric science, the questions that fueled their careers, and the moments that still linger in memory.

Curious to learn more about microbursts, aircraft safety improvements, and asparagus foraging?

🎙️ Listen to Episode 1 with Wendy Abshire now! → https://theairweshare.buzzsprout.com/2566036/episodes/18364919-episode-1-wendy-abshire

This podcast is a celebration of the people who made this community what it is and an invitation to reflect on what drives discovery across generations.

Whether you’re a current staff member, a fellow retiree, or someone invested in the future of atmospheric research, we hope you’ll listen, share, and stay curious.

Curious to learn more about microbursts, aircraft safety improvements, and asparagus foraging? Listen in to hear from Wendy Abshire about her 35 year legacy with UCAR, NSF NCAR, and UCP. 

12/09/2025

MATCH ALERT! 🚨 It’s Colorado Gives Day: Invest in the Next Generation of Scientific Breakthroughs!

The nation’s security and economy are reliant on the innovative minds of tomorrow. Today, on , you have the power to fund the next cohort of experts who will deliver essential breakthroughs for decades to come.

Imagine:
--Young minds whose innovative forecasts will contribute billions to our agricultural economy.
--Graduate students working on the models that will help utility companies integrate renewable energy, making our power grid more reliable.
--Researchers whose space weather monitoring will safeguard our satellites and national communications.

This is why we focus on maintaining a continuous pipeline of talent through internships and education programs!

We are raising $20,000 to keep this pipeline strong, and your gift goes TWICE AS FAR right now!

✅ Every dollar you give today up to $5,000 is automatically matched by our Senior Leadership, doubling your investment in student fellowships and community outreach.

It's about empowering the leaders our world will need to tackle complex problems.

Click the link below to double your impact and secure the future of science!

➡️https://www.coloradogives.org/organization/Friendsofthenationalcenter

12/08/2025

Tomorrow: Double Your Impact for the Future of Science! 🔬
is tomorrow - your best opportunity to invest in the future of science right here in Colorado.

At Friends of the National Center, we believe investing in STEM education and early-career development is the single most powerful action we can take to ensure the pipeline of scientific talent remains strong and vibrant.

Tomorrow, on Colorado Gives Day, we need your support to reach our $20,000 goal!

✨ The Best Part? Thanks to our generous Senior Leadership, every dollar you donate tomorrow will be matched up to $5,000, doubling your impact instantly!

Don't wait! Schedule your gift now to ensure it counts and helps us secure the future of research and innovation.

https://www.coloradogives.org/organization/Friendsofthenationalcenter