Last updated: April 22, 2024
Lesson Plan
Climate Change and Dog Sledding in Denali
- Grade Level:
- Middle School: Sixth Grade through Eighth Grade
- Subject:
- Science
- Lesson Duration:
- 60 Minutes
Essential Question
How might climate change impact the tradition of dog mushing in Denali?
Objective
To connect students with Denali’s mushing tradition and encourage them to think about how it might change based on long-term climate trends.
Background
Sled dogs have been important to people living in northern climates for thousands of years. This tradition of working with dogs to move people and freight across the land is called mushing. Mushing skills and experiences have been passed down through generations. Although many people living in the North use snowmobiles to get around, mushing remains an essential way of life in Denali National Park and other northern communities.
Park rangers in Denali have been working with sled dogs since 1922. Historically, the dogs helped rangers to patrol park boundaries and prevent poaching. Today, park rangers and scientists depend on Denali's sled dogs for moving supplies and scientific equipment deep into the park where motorized vehicles are not permitted. The dogs also help rangers monitor the condition of the park and create trails in the snow for other visitors to use. Using dogs and sleds helps to keep Denali’s history and traditions alive.
Snow is a key ingredient for mushing. Denali’s subarctic climate, where snow generally covers the ground for six months of the year, is perfect for mushing. However, climate change is impacting the timing of the snow season in the fall and spring and the condition of the snow in mid-winter.
Scientists are looking at weather and climate patterns to help understand these changes over time. Weather is what we experience on a day to day basis, while climate is the average of the weather conditions over time. Denali scientists can study the climate of Denali because of a long record of weather observations at Denali Park headquarters. For more than 70 years, park staff have recorded the air temperature, rainfall and snowfall amounts, and snow depth every single day! This valuable data, along with data from other climate stations around the park, provides the information needed to look at changes over time.
Since 1950, temperatures in Denali have warmed, summer rainfall has increased, and winter snowfall has decreased. The yearly temperatures at Denali Park have warmed by 3°F. That might not sound like a lot, but in northern climates, even small temperature changes can mean the difference between rain or snow. Warmer temperatures in the spring and fall can result in a late start or early end to the mushing season.
Extreme weather events associated with a warming climate also impact mushing. For example, if temperatures are above freezing in the winter, it may rain on top of the snow. This can form a hard crust and create difficult and dangerous travel conditions for the dogs and people.
The timing and amount of snow, combined with extreme weather events, are climate changes that can impact the mushing tradition in Denali. What do you think might happen to Denali’s snow if the climate continues to warm? How do you think this might impact the ability of park staff to practice mushing?
Preparation
- Have the Student Handout (below) available for each student
- Watch the optional video National Park Service Mushes for Wilderness Cleanup
Materials
Procedure
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(Optional) Watch the 7-minute video National Park Service Mushes for Wilderness Cleanup to introduce students to mushing in Alaska.
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Distribute the Student Handout (linked above).
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Read through the background information. It may be useful to read this together as a class.
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Allow 25–35 minutes for students to work through the data analysis and questions.
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(Optional) Allow 15 minutes for a discussion of their answers to the “next steps as a scientist" questions.
Additional Resources
Two Degrees Matters - Frontiers for Young Minds — Online article for students by National Park Service Physical Scientist, Pam Sousanes. Features information about climate change in Alaska’s National Parks.
Wilderness and Sled Dogs — National Park Service webpage with additional information about Denali rangers and mushing. Includes 7 minute National Park Service video “National Park Service Mushes for Wilderness Cleanup” showing Denali rangers and sled dogs working together.
Denali Sled Dog Kennels — National Park Service webpage with a 21-minute video about mushing in Denali and lots of other information about the Denali sled dogs.
Meet the Sled Dogs — National Park Service webpage with pictures of the current Denali sled dogs.