Confluence Volume 4, Fall 2025

Bison in a grassy field with the skyline of Denver in the distant background. Photo by Hans Wastson.

A Spatial Analysis of Rocky Mountain Arsenal Neighbors

Dec. 1, 2025

A Spatial Analysis of Rocky Mountain Arsenal Neighbors: A geographic analysis of health and demographics in the neighborhoods surrounding the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge. To view this story map, please visit https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/a7e6dae0ce4b474ab52104127fa9d42a . View the StoryMap Patrick Kaltenbacher is a recent graduate of the MA in Applied Geography...

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A wide marshland stretches into the distance under a blue sky with scattered clouds. Tall grasses surround a narrow, winding stream reflecting the sky. Trees line the horizon on the right side.

Issues Brief on Saltwater Intrusion in the Florida Everglades

Dec. 1, 2025

Sawgrass Prairie (Image credit: NPS / G. Gardner / Everglades National Park) Introduction The Florida Everglades, one of the world’s largest subtropical wetlands, are home to incredible biodiversity, including a large number of endemic species. The ecosystem services provided by the Everglades benefit millions of people, both locally and globally...

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A partially eaten round loaf of bread in a clear plastic bag lying on grass and scattered leaves outdoors. Photo by CandreK on Unsplash.

To Anyone Who’s Ever Thrown Out a Half-Eaten Sandwich,

Dec. 1, 2025

You’re not alone. We’ve all done it, tossed something we swore we’d finish, let leftovers sit too long, forgotten a bag of lettuce in the back of the fridge. It’s easy to think one sandwich, one apple, one takeout container won’t make a difference, but it does. Not just because...

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World map with red circles indicating COVID-19 outbreak locations, largest clusters in Europe, Asia, and North America. Photo by Martin Sanchez on Unsplash.

A Geographic Analysis of COVID-19 Mortality across the United States 

Dec. 1, 2025

Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound and enduring impact on the United States, starting with the first reported case in January 2020 and the first reported death in February 2020 (CDC). By March of that year, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. In response, a race...

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A restroom with mirrors and white ceramic sinks and faucets. Photo by Wilhelm Gunkel on Unsplash.

Public, Private, Permitted: Who Gets to Go? 

Dec. 1, 2025

The perfect space to relieve a bursting body Tears flow Urine trickles Excretions empty My whiteness gains me access in stores, coffee shops and restaurants Before purchase Without purchase With privilege My temporarily abled body moves easily between stalls Before aging Or accidents For now My cis-gendered appearance fits neatly...

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