CEMML cultural resources team wins 2025 Secretary of the Army environmental award
CEMML professionals and U.S. Army staffers have worked together for several years to preserve archaeological and historical sites on bases located on the islands of Hawaiʻi and Oʻahu. Recently, their joint efforts earned them the Environmental Award for Cultural Resources Management, one of the Army’s highest honors for outstanding environmental stewardship and leadership.
October 27, 2025
From “shovel bum” to experienced archaeologist: A CEMML intern’s journey
For Michael D’Ottavio, the CEMML Early-Career Development Program gave him the perfect opportunity to deepen his interest in American military history. Through his job as a cultural resources technician on an Air Force base, he gained useful skills and hands-on experience. Now, he’s excited to continue his storytelling journey in archaeology.
September 24, 2025
From Myanmar to Florida: A global journey to a natural resources career
Originally from Myanmar, Soe Min Thu has long had an interest in the preservation of natural spaces. His pursuit of a career in natural resources management led him to CEMML’s Early-career Development Program and an internship as a vegetation technician at Florida’s Avon Park Air Force Range. That experience evolved into a permanent position with CEMML as part of Avon Park’s botany team.
August 6, 2025
Unearthing potential: Starting a career in archaeology with CEMML
For recent college graduate Harrison Wehmann, the detailed detective work of archaeology is exactly what he wants to be doing. After earning his bachelor’s degree with a double major in archaeology and history, and a master’s in underwater archaeology, he’s found the perfect opportunity through CEMML’s Early-career Development Program. Now, he’s building a career chasing history at Joint Base Langley-Eustis—and helping a military installation preserve its past.
July 6, 2025
CEMML Early-Career Program supports creek revitalization at McConnell Air Force Base
In June, CEMML Early-Career Development Program participant, Melina Takvorian supported a stream bank revetment project at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas. The work involved repurposing invasive red cedar trees to stabilize the McConnell Creek in an effort to reduce erosion, improve water quality, and protect critical infrastructure.
June 27, 2025
History in her hands: CEMML intern’s interests piqued at Avon Park Air Force Range
As a CEMML intern, Ellie Azulay focuses on documenting historic turpentine industry sites from the early 20th century on what’s now Avon Park Air Force Range. A recent graduate from Pennsylvania’s Bryn Mawr College with a degree in political science, Ellie’s getting hands-on experience in public history, while learning from experts in her field.
June 16, 2025
Nothing but flowers: On an Air Force base, CEMML helps create pollinator habitat
As a participant in CEMML’s Early-Career Development Program, Rebecca Morse is supporting pollinators and the military mission at Little Rock Air Force Base in Arkansas. Morse and her counterparts at the installation planted native wildflowers and grasses in a new pollinator garden they created on land once occupied by military housing and a golf course. Work on the garden has also involved local families as well as airmen from the installation.
May 6, 2025
CEMML staff present as part of Natural Areas Association webinar
CEMML Assistant Director, Mindy Clarke, and Principal Investigators Jennie Anderson and Dave Jones recently presented as part of a webinar hosted by the Natural Areas Association. Clarke began the presentations by providing an overview of CEMML and our work on military lands. Jones then presented on the ‘Importance of DoD Lands to Biodiversity Conservation,’ and Anderson wrapped things up with her insights on ‘Natural Resources Management Planning & Partnerships.’
April 1, 2025
CEMML supports prescribed burn season at Fort McCoy
The 2025 prescribed burn season has been under way in early to mid-March 2025 at Fort McCoy in Wisconsin. The prescribed burn team includes personnel from CEMML in partnership with several other entities at the installation. The prescribed burn season continues into the spring with the aim of improving wildlife habitat, controlling invasive plant species, maintaining native plant communities, and reducing wildfire potential.
March 26, 2025
Colorado State University and University of Guam sign MOU
Alonso A. Aguirre, Dean of the Warner College of Natural Resources, and the leadership team from the Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands recently traveled to Guam to sign a MOU between the University of Guam and Colorado State University. The MOU aims to provide opportunities for future collaboration and cooperation including internship placement of University of Guam students into natural and cultural resource management opportunities with Warner College/CEMML.
February 27, 2025
CEMML archaeologists unearth Wisconsin dairy history from early 1900s
A glass bottle fragment recovered from Fort McCoy, Wisconsin was found to originate from the Beaver Creek Dairy company in Sparta, WI. The company, established in the early 1910s, remained in operation through the early 1970s. It is unclear if the bottle glass fragment recovered by the CEMML archaeologists was originally delivered to a homestead or soldiers training at Fort McCoy.
February 6, 2025
CEMML executive director named as key personnel in CSU $326M award
The Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency have awarded $326 million to three Colorado State University research projects that aim to improve U.S. oil and gas operations and reduce methane emissions nationwide. The executive director of the Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands, Barker Fariss, has been named as key personnel on one of the three projects. That $300 million grant focuses on reducing methane emissions from low-producing and conventional wells.
January 18, 2025