Happy Nevada Day from DRI!
A brighter future is on the horizon
JOIN US IN MAKING IT A REALITY
Our work is global. Our home has always been Nevada.
DRI was founded right here in the Silver State in 1959. While our impact has reached nearly every corner of our planet since then – our home, our headquarters, and our hearts remain rooted in Nevada.
Science that meets the moment happens here
From helping local communities address air quality, water scarcity, and other environmental concerns to understanding Nevada’s changing climate, our scientists seek to unearth solutions that protect the environment and future of this great state we call home. Not all research locations are listed, and locations may be approximate.
Click on an icon on the map to learn more about the projects that benefit Nevada:
Air Quality & Human Health
Archaeology & Cultural Resource Management
Conservation Ecology
Drought & Water Resource Management
Education Outreach
Extreme Heat
Microplastics Research & Mitigation
Wildfire Risk, Research & Prevention
AWE+ is a DRI global initiative formed in 2024. Reflecting the four classical elements of nature – air, water, earth, and fire – AWE+ advances community resilience and adaptability in the face of increasing, inevitable catastrophes that affect human lives and environmental ecosystems. It addresses tough challenges by promoting actionable solutions through interdisciplinary collaboration.
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DRI hosted the AWE+2025 Collaborative on the Reno campus.
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DRI archaeologists have done research near Big Spring in the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge.
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DRI archaeologists have studied Nevada’s past near Owyhee, NV.
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DRI archaeologists collaborated with members of the DRI Ice Core Team to help identify the details of a historic cemetery in Midas, NV.
More information
DRI researchers have studied ancient lakes in the Lahontan Basin.
More information
DRI researchers manage the cultural resources of the Nevada National Security Site on behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy.
More Information
DRI archaeologists investigated the ancient lake in Coal Valley to understand how its presence and recession may have affected Nevada’s human history.
More information
DRI archaeologists examined how natural systems can affect cultural distributions in the Meadow Valley Wash to better interpret Nevada’s history.
More information
The DRI Conservation Ecology team collaborated with DRI hydrologists near Gerlach, NV.
More Information
The DRI Conservation Ecology has studied Nevada’s flora in the Pine Forest Range Wilderness.
More information
The DRI Conservation Ecology Lab conducts basic and applied ecological research informing conservation actions and natural resource management in the Southwest.
More information
The DRI Conservation Ecology Lab conducts basic and applied ecological research informing conservation actions and natural resource management in the Southwest.
More information
DRI’s Conservation Ecology team monitors threatened and endangered plant species at the Gemini Solar plant outside of Las Vegas.
More information
The DRI Conservation Ecology team studies the Las Vegas bear poppy in the Rainbow Gardens Area of Critical Environmental Concern.
More information
The Conservation Ecology team studies the Las Vegas bear poppy to help guide conservation efforts.
More information
In 2024, Reno/Sparks was selected to be part of the national Urban Heat Mapping Campaign. DRI researchers contributed to the NOAA mapping project.
More information
The Nevada Heat Lab collected data at cooling stations in Southern Nevada to better understand how to protect Nevadans from extreme heat.
More information
The Nevada Heat Lab collected data at cooling stations in Southern Nevada to better understand how to protect Nevadans from extreme heat.
More information
The Nevada Heat Lab collected data at cooling stations in Southern Nevada to better understand how to protect Nevadans from extreme heat.
More information
The Nevada Heat Lab collected data at cooling stations in Southern Nevada to better understand how to protect Nevadans from extreme heat.
More information
The Nevada Heat Lab collected data at cooling stations in Southern Nevada to better understand how to protect Nevadans from extreme heat.
More information
The DRI STEM Education Program hosts free Family Engagement events that showcase hands-on, play-based, STEAM literacy activities.
More information
The DRI STEM Education program holds free PreK-12 educator development trainings on a variety of STEM topics throughout Nevada.
More information
The DRI STEM Education Program hosts free Family Engagement events that showcase hands-on, play-based, STEAM literacy activities.
More information
The DRI STEM Education Program hosts free Family Engagement events that showcase hands-on, play-based, STEAM literacy activities.
More information
The DRI STEM Education Program hosts free Family Engagement events that showcase hands-on, play-based, STEAM literacy activities.
More information
The DRI STEM Education Program hosts free Family Engagement events that showcase hands-on, play-based, STEAM literacy activities.
More information
The DRI STEM Education Program hosts free Family Engagement events that showcase hands-on, play-based, STEAM literacy activities.
More information
The DRI STEM Education Program hosts free Family Engagement events that showcase hands-on, play-based, STEAM literacy activities.
More information
The DRI STEM Education Program hosts free Family Engagement events that showcase hands-on, play-based, STEAM literacy activities.
More information
The Nevada Robotics program hosts professional development trainings and community outreach events throughout Nevada, to help all young Nevadans access high quality computer science education.
More information
The Nevada Robotics program hosts professional development trainings and community outreach events throughout Nevada, to help all young Nevadans access high quality computer science education.
More information
The Nevada Robotics program hosts professional development trainings and community outreach events throughout Nevada, to help all young Nevadans access high quality computer science education.
More information
The Nevada Robotics program hosts professional development trainings and community outreach events throughout Nevada, to help all young Nevadans access high quality computer science education.
More information
The Nevada Robotics program hosts professional development trainings and community outreach events throughout Nevada, to help all young Nevadans access high quality computer science education.
More information
DRI scientists work with state and national agencies to improve weather and fire forecasting.
More information
DRI scientists work with state and national agencies to improve weather and fire forecasting.
More information
DRI scientists work with state and national agencies to improve weather and fire forecasting.
More information
DRI scientists work with state and national agencies to improve weather and fire forecasting.
More information
DRI scientists work with state and national agencies to improve weather and fire forecasting.
More information
DRI scientists work with state and national agencies to improve weather and fire forecasting.
More information
DRI scientists work with state and national agencies to improve weather and fire forecasting.
More information
DRI scientists work with state and national agencies to improve weather and fire forecasting.
More information
DRI scientists work with state and national agencies to improve weather and fire forecasting.
More information
The DRI microplastics team researches in the Las Vegas Wash.
More information
In partnership with the BLM, DRI’s microplastics researchers are studying microplastic and PFAS contamination in the thermal springs of the Black Rock Desert.
More information
The microplastics team is working with homeowners in Northern Nevada to identify and understand metal contamination in private wells.
More information
The microplastics team is working with homeowners in Northern Nevada to identify and understand metal contamination in private wells.
More information
DRI’s microplastics team has collected samples from the Truckee River to identify microplastics pollution in the watershed.
More information
The DRI microplastics is studying the area burned by the 2024 Davis Fire.
More information
Microplastics research in the areas between Carson and Minden.
More information
DRI’s microplastics researchers are conducting a watershed scale assessment of microplastic pollution in Lake Tahoe and the surrounding Sierra Nevada snow and water.
More information
DRI scientists are working with Nevada’s rural and frontier counties on water resource plans.
More information
DRI scientists are working with Nevada’s rural and frontier counties on water resource plans.
More information
DRI scientists are working with Nevada’s rural and frontier counties on water resource plans.
More information
DRI scientists are working with Nevada’s rural and frontier counties on water resource plans.
More information
DRI scientists are working with Nevada’s rural and frontier counties on water resource plans.
More information
DRI scientists are working with Nevada’s rural and frontier counties on water resource plans.
More information
DRI is a collaborative partner in the Nevada Water Initiative, which seeks to understand groundwater use, water budgets, and availability to ensure adequate water supplies in Nevada.
More information
DRI is a collaborative partner in the Nevada Water Initiative, which seeks to understand groundwater use, water budgets, and availability to ensure adequate water supplies in Nevada.
More information
DRI is a founding collaborator in the Nevada Climate-ecohydrological Assessment Network (NevCAN), which has several monitoring stations throughout the Snake Range to collect data for long-term assessment of climate variability and change and its impact on ecological and hydrological processes and function. Mount Washington is a NevCan monitoring site.
More information
DRI is a founding collaborator in the Nevada Climate-ecohydrological Assessment Network (NevCAN), which has several monitoring stations throughout the Snake Range to collect data for long-term assessment of climate variability and change and its impact on ecological and hydrological processes and function.
More information
DRI’s research helps inform water use management in the Las Vegas metropolitan area.
DRI scientists study evaporation on the Colorado River, a vital water source, to help inform water management in Southern Nevada and throughout the West.
More information
DRI researchers, in collaboration with UNLV, teamed up with a Las Vegas community concerned about a neighboring asphalt plant to measure their air quality.
More information
DRI researchers partnered with the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection to provide Nevada’s rural counties with 11 total air quality monitors and information to help county emergency managers make decisions.
More information
DRI researchers partnered with the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection to provide Nevada’s rural counties with 11 total air quality monitors and information to help county emergency managers make decisions.
More information
DRI researchers partnered with the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection to provide Nevada’s rural counties with 11 total air quality monitors and information to help county emergency managers make decisions.
More information
DRI researchers partnered with the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection to provide Nevada’s rural counties with 11 total air quality monitors and information to help county emergency managers make decisions.
More information
DRI researchers partnered with the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection to provide Nevada’s rural counties with 11 total air quality monitors and information to help county emergency managers make decisions.
More information
DRI researchers partnered with the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection to provide Nevada’s rural counties with 11 total air quality monitors and information to help county emergency managers make decisions.
More information
DRI researchers partnered with the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection to provide Nevada’s rural counties with 11 total air quality monitors and information to help county emergency managers make decisions.
More information
DRI researchers partnered with the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection to provide Nevada’s rural counties with 11 total air quality monitors and information to help county emergency managers make decisions.
More information
DRI researchers partnered with the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection to provide Nevada’s rural counties with 11 total air quality monitors and information to help county emergency managers make decisions.
More information
DRI researchers partnered with the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection to provide Nevada’s rural counties with 11 total air quality monitors and information to help county emergency managers make decisions.
More information
DRI researchers partnered with the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection to provide Nevada’s rural counties with 11 total air quality monitors and information to help county emergency managers make decisions.
More information
DRI atmospheric scientists studied air quality in Reno, NV during 106 wildfires to illuminate the atmospheric and public health impacts of smoke.
More information
DRI researchers investigate the links between air quality and human health to find solutions for a healthier future for Nevada and the world.
DRI researchers investigate the links between air quality and human health to find solutions for a healthier future for Nevada and the world.
DRI researchers investigate the links between air quality and human health to find solutions for a healthier future for Nevada and the world.
DRI researchers investigate the links between air quality and human health to find solutions for a healthier future for Nevada and the world.
DRI researchers investigate the links between air quality and human health to find solutions for a healthier future for Nevada and the world.
AWE+ is a DRI global initiative formed in 2024. Reflecting the four classical elements of nature – air, water, earth, and fire – AWE+ advances community resilience and adaptability in the face of increasing, inevitable catastrophes that affect human lives and environmental ecosystems. It addresses tough challenges by promoting actionable solutions through interdisciplinary collaboration.
More information
DRI hosted the AWE+2025 Collaborative on the Reno campus.
More information
DRI archaeologists have done research near Big Spring in the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge.
More information
DRI archaeologists have studied Nevada’s past near Owyhee, NV.
More information
DRI archaeologists collaborated with members of the DRI Ice Core Team to help identify the details of a historic cemetery in Midas, NV.
More information
DRI researchers have studied ancient lakes in the Lahontan Basin.
More information
DRI researchers manage the cultural resources of the Nevada National Security Site on behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy.
More Information
DRI archaeologists investigated the ancient lake in Coal Valley to understand how its presence and recession may have affected Nevada’s human history.
More information
DRI archaeologists examined how natural systems can affect cultural distributions in the Meadow Valley Wash to better interpret Nevada’s history.
More information
The DRI Conservation Ecology team collaborated with DRI hydrologists near Gerlach, NV.
More Information
The DRI Conservation Ecology has studied Nevada’s flora in the Pine Forest Range Wilderness.
More information
The DRI Conservation Ecology Lab conducts basic and applied ecological research informing conservation actions and natural resource management in the Southwest.
More information
The DRI Conservation Ecology Lab conducts basic and applied ecological research informing conservation actions and natural resource management in the Southwest.
More information
DRI’s Conservation Ecology team monitors threatened and endangered plant species at the Gemini Solar plant outside of Las Vegas.
More information
The DRI Conservation Ecology team studies the Las Vegas bear poppy in the Rainbow Gardens Area of Critical Environmental Concern.
More information
The Conservation Ecology team studies the Las Vegas bear poppy to help guide conservation efforts.
More information
In 2024, Reno/Sparks was selected to be part of the national Urban Heat Mapping Campaign. DRI researchers contributed to the NOAA mapping project.
More information
The Nevada Heat Lab collected data at cooling stations in Southern Nevada to better understand how to protect Nevadans from extreme heat.
More information
The Nevada Heat Lab collected data at cooling stations in Southern Nevada to better understand how to protect Nevadans from extreme heat.
More information
The Nevada Heat Lab collected data at cooling stations in Southern Nevada to better understand how to protect Nevadans from extreme heat.
More information
The Nevada Heat Lab collected data at cooling stations in Southern Nevada to better understand how to protect Nevadans from extreme heat.
More information
The Nevada Heat Lab collected data at cooling stations in Southern Nevada to better understand how to protect Nevadans from extreme heat.
More information
The DRI STEM Education Program hosts free Family Engagement events that showcase hands-on, play-based, STEAM literacy activities.
More information
The DRI STEM Education program holds free PreK-12 educator development trainings on a variety of STEM topics throughout Nevada.
More information
The DRI STEM Education Program hosts free Family Engagement events that showcase hands-on, play-based, STEAM literacy activities.
More information
The DRI STEM Education Program hosts free Family Engagement events that showcase hands-on, play-based, STEAM literacy activities.
More information
The DRI STEM Education Program hosts free Family Engagement events that showcase hands-on, play-based, STEAM literacy activities.
More information
The DRI STEM Education Program hosts free Family Engagement events that showcase hands-on, play-based, STEAM literacy activities.
More information
The DRI STEM Education Program hosts free Family Engagement events that showcase hands-on, play-based, STEAM literacy activities.
More information
The DRI STEM Education Program hosts free Family Engagement events that showcase hands-on, play-based, STEAM literacy activities.
More information
The DRI STEM Education Program hosts free Family Engagement events that showcase hands-on, play-based, STEAM literacy activities.
More information
The Nevada Robotics program hosts professional development trainings and community outreach events throughout Nevada, to help all young Nevadans access high quality computer science education.
More information
The Nevada Robotics program hosts professional development trainings and community outreach events throughout Nevada, to help all young Nevadans access high quality computer science education.
More information
The Nevada Robotics program hosts professional development trainings and community outreach events throughout Nevada, to help all young Nevadans access high quality computer science education.
More information
The Nevada Robotics program hosts professional development trainings and community outreach events throughout Nevada, to help all young Nevadans access high quality computer science education.
More information
The Nevada Robotics program hosts professional development trainings and community outreach events throughout Nevada, to help all young Nevadans access high quality computer science education.
More information
DRI scientists work with state and national agencies to improve weather and fire forecasting.
More information
DRI scientists work with state and national agencies to improve weather and fire forecasting.
More information
DRI scientists work with state and national agencies to improve weather and fire forecasting.
More information
DRI scientists work with state and national agencies to improve weather and fire forecasting.
More information
DRI scientists work with state and national agencies to improve weather and fire forecasting.
More information
DRI scientists work with state and national agencies to improve weather and fire forecasting.
More information
DRI scientists work with state and national agencies to improve weather and fire forecasting.
More information
DRI scientists work with state and national agencies to improve weather and fire forecasting.
More information
DRI scientists work with state and national agencies to improve weather and fire forecasting.
More information
The DRI microplastics team researches in the Las Vegas Wash.
More information
In partnership with the BLM, DRI’s microplastics researchers are studying microplastic and PFAS contamination in the thermal springs of the Black Rock Desert.
More information
The microplastics team is working with homeowners in Northern Nevada to identify and understand metal contamination in private wells.
More information
The microplastics team is working with homeowners in Northern Nevada to identify and understand metal contamination in private wells.
More information
DRI’s microplastics team has collected samples from the Truckee River to identify microplastics pollution in the watershed.
More information
The DRI microplastics is studying the area burned by the 2024 Davis Fire.
More information
Microplastics research in the areas between Carson and Minden.
More information
DRI’s microplastics researchers are conducting a watershed scale assessment of microplastic pollution in Lake Tahoe and the surrounding Sierra Nevada snow and water.
More information
DRI scientists are working with Nevada’s rural and frontier counties on water resource plans.
More information
DRI scientists are working with Nevada’s rural and frontier counties on water resource plans.
More information
DRI scientists are working with Nevada’s rural and frontier counties on water resource plans.
More information
DRI scientists are working with Nevada’s rural and frontier counties on water resource plans.
More information
DRI scientists are working with Nevada’s rural and frontier counties on water resource plans.
More information
DRI scientists are working with Nevada’s rural and frontier counties on water resource plans.
More information
DRI is a collaborative partner in the Nevada Water Initiative, which seeks to understand groundwater use, water budgets, and availability to ensure adequate water supplies in Nevada.
More information
DRI is a collaborative partner in the Nevada Water Initiative, which seeks to understand groundwater use, water budgets, and availability to ensure adequate water supplies in Nevada.
More information
DRI is a founding collaborator in the Nevada Climate-ecohydrological Assessment Network (NevCAN), which has several monitoring stations throughout the Snake Range to collect data for long-term assessment of climate variability and change and its impact on ecological and hydrological processes and function. Mount Washington is a NevCan monitoring site.
More information
DRI is a founding collaborator in the Nevada Climate-ecohydrological Assessment Network (NevCAN), which has several monitoring stations throughout the Snake Range to collect data for long-term assessment of climate variability and change and its impact on ecological and hydrological processes and function.
More information
DRI’s research helps inform water use management in the Las Vegas metropolitan area.
DRI scientists study evaporation on the Colorado River, a vital water source, to help inform water management in Southern Nevada and throughout the West.
More information
DRI researchers, in collaboration with UNLV, teamed up with a Las Vegas community concerned about a neighboring asphalt plant to measure their air quality.
More information
DRI researchers partnered with the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection to provide Nevada’s rural counties with 11 total air quality monitors and information to help county emergency managers make decisions.
More information
DRI researchers partnered with the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection to provide Nevada’s rural counties with 11 total air quality monitors and information to help county emergency managers make decisions.
More information
DRI researchers partnered with the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection to provide Nevada’s rural counties with 11 total air quality monitors and information to help county emergency managers make decisions.
More information
DRI researchers partnered with the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection to provide Nevada’s rural counties with 11 total air quality monitors and information to help county emergency managers make decisions.
More information
DRI researchers partnered with the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection to provide Nevada’s rural counties with 11 total air quality monitors and information to help county emergency managers make decisions.
More information
DRI researchers partnered with the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection to provide Nevada’s rural counties with 11 total air quality monitors and information to help county emergency managers make decisions.
More information
DRI researchers partnered with the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection to provide Nevada’s rural counties with 11 total air quality monitors and information to help county emergency managers make decisions.
More information
DRI researchers partnered with the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection to provide Nevada’s rural counties with 11 total air quality monitors and information to help county emergency managers make decisions.
More information
DRI researchers partnered with the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection to provide Nevada’s rural counties with 11 total air quality monitors and information to help county emergency managers make decisions.
More information
DRI researchers partnered with the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection to provide Nevada’s rural counties with 11 total air quality monitors and information to help county emergency managers make decisions.
More information
DRI researchers partnered with the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection to provide Nevada’s rural counties with 11 total air quality monitors and information to help county emergency managers make decisions.
More information
DRI atmospheric scientists studied air quality in Reno, NV during 106 wildfires to illuminate the atmospheric and public health impacts of smoke.
More information
DRI researchers investigate the links between air quality and human health to find solutions for a healthier future for Nevada and the world.
DRI researchers investigate the links between air quality and human health to find solutions for a healthier future for Nevada and the world.
DRI researchers investigate the links between air quality and human health to find solutions for a healthier future for Nevada and the world.
DRI researchers investigate the links between air quality and human health to find solutions for a healthier future for Nevada and the world.
DRI researchers investigate the links between air quality and human health to find solutions for a healthier future for Nevada and the world.
Help us celebrate Nevada Day with a gift to DRI.
Every donation, no matter the size, helps us gain a deeper understanding of our changing environment.
Together, we can secure a brighter and more sustainable future for the Silver State.