OLLI Bonus: Community-Driven Resources for Real Air Quality Challenges (DRAKE HALL)

Northern Colorado faces three persistent air quality challenges—ozone, wildfire smoke, and air toxics. To tackle these issues, faculty, staff, and student researchers from CSU’s Department of Atmospheric Science and the Center for Environmental Justice, along with partners in the Environmental Services Departments at City of Fort Collins and Larimer County Department of Health and Environment, worked with community members most affected by environmental issues, to co-create practical, easy-to-use materials that support informed and protective decision-making. The most meaningful outcomes extend far beyond the tools themselves. True collaboration centers community voices, honors lived experience, and works alongside those impacted to create lasting, equitable solutions. Join this session to learn about air quality research that elevates community perspectives- and share your own feedback, ideas, and experiences to help shape future research outcomes and educational materials.  

*Emily Fischer, Ph.D., is a Monfort Professor in the Department of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University. She is also an affiliate faculty member of the CSU School of Global Environmental Sustainability. Dr. Fischer’s team works to better understand the composition of the troposphere, and her recent work has focused on the intersection of air quality with wildfires, oil and gas extraction, and industrial agriculture.  She is a fellow of the American Geophysical Union (AGU), has served as an AGU Distinguished Lecturer, has been named one of the 10 Scientists to Watch by Science News, and has been recognized for her efforts in mentoring, inclusive excellence, and science communication. Dr. Fischer earned her PhD from the University of Washington.   

*Milena Guajardo, MPH, is the Interdisciplinary Project and Outreach Coordinator at Colorado State University’s Department of Atmospheric Science. She combines her background in epidemiology with a passion for community collaboration to improve understanding of air quality and the impacts of wildfire smoke. Milena believes that authentic relationships are key to addressing public health issues in meaningful and lasting ways.

Notes

• A current OLLI membership is required to register for all courses and lectures.
• If you do not have a Spring 2026 membership, one will be added to your cart at checkout.
• OLLI membership fees and course tuition are critical to the Institute's sustainability and are non-refundable.