Soldiers2Scientists

10/10/2026

S2S recently applied for a trail camera grid at Tilly Foster Forest through the program. We received a trail camera loan and just installed our camera 📸

It was an easy process from sign-up to setup, and we’re excited to add new inputs to our biodiversity inventory!

If you live in NY, we encourage you to check out the Snapshot program and get started!

🔎 Learn more and sign up through the NYSDEC website.

10/04/2026

Some notables from the first half of this with the JFK Wildlife Sanctuary Bird Banding Crew.

10/03/2026

Thank you to WALL Radio for having us on the radio! Shout out to Soldiers2Scientists, PBF Polish Brazilian Fusion, Rino’s Eatery and Dawn J Benko.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cffxGqeS4b9qrl6jGB0BpLel5dzlUEev/view?usp=drive_link

09/28/2026

Last weekend, Soldiers2Scientists partnered with veterans and the Arlington Regional Virginia Master Naturalists to host students and families from Metropolitan Washington MENSA for an Introduction to Citizen Science Bioblitz and Nature Journaling Workshop at Buddy Ford Nature Center and Dora Kelley Nature Park in Alexandria, Virginia.

Buddy Ford holds a special place in the S2S story. Nearly 15 years ago, it was here that we first connected with the Virginia Master Naturalists—a relationship that has continued to grow through countless field science projects, partnerships, and shared adventures in the years since.

It was wonderful to return, explore the incredible specimens and live animals cared for by the Nature Center, and share our passion for field science, observation, and nature journaling with such an exceptional group of students and families.

From careful observation and sketching to documenting species in the field, the day was a great reminder that science can begin with something as simple as slowing down, looking closely, and asking questions about the natural world around us.

We’re grateful to everyone who joined us and helped make the day possible—and especially to our veteran and Master Naturalist partners who continue to help us create opportunities for the next generation of Park Spies 🕵🏻‍♂️
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09/24/2026

S2S came together with veterans, soil and plant experts, and students from Juniata College and Base forestry managers, biologists, and ecologists to conduct a site assessment at Aires Run Stream on Fort Indiantown Gap.

The base is an active National Guard training center in central Pennsylvania and part of several military installations that comprise Kittatinny Ridge Sentinel Landscape.

This extraordinary multidisciplinary team documented our first official soil samples, flagged locations for nestboxes and coverboards, began initial water table measurements, and set up several trail cams as we start our baseline analyses, project development and restoration work here.

This work is part of a multi-year, multi-phase effort to rehabilitate managed lands on these bases, to rejuvenate the environmental conditions for wildlife, and provide ongoing monitoring and community science opportunities to active-duty service members, veterans, and students in the region.

09/15/2026

It is our third consecutive year helping the fisheries program at Great Basin National Park monitor the health of the aquatic ecosystems. Part of the 26-year Bonneville Cutthroat Trout Restoration Program is the ongoing 18-year effort to survey macroinvertebrate populations as key indicators of creek health. This project continues to build a robust baseline at checkpoints across the creek systems in the park.

Additionally, veterans and volunteers from and S2S conducted analyses, water quality assessments, and recorded important creek dynamics.

This work provides a clearer picture of overall creek health and helps identify changes that may influence the long-term success of trout restoration.

09/13/2026

09/10/2026

Monitoring the Reforestation progress at Tilly Foster Farm in Brewster NY with

Veterans, volunteers, and local Master Gardeners learned the grid protocol, identified the plants in each quadrant, and measured seedlings.

This is the first survey of many to come, as we kickoff a 15-year restoration project with the 🌱

&R

09/06/2026

The working the Ward Fire just south of Ely, Nevada 🪣 💦 🔥 (August 5, 2026)

After a grueling 26-day full-suppression campaign, the incident is now fully contained. S2S crew visiting Ely had the chance to witness their incredible work in action.

09/03/2026

A mating ball 🐝