FIRST STEP ...

Bravo(!) 043 begins another year of research in Antarctica. We may have a different "look" this season (three new team members) but our goal remains the same: to better understand the role of unicellular organisms in the ice-cold waters of McMurdo Sound, with a commitment to minimizing our impact on the Antarctic environment.

All living creatures leave their mark on this earth. It is, perhaps, one definition of life itself. As scientists, we study those "marks" in the fossil record, and uncover the steps of carbon flow in modern habitats. Knowing where we are and where we've been is our best hope of moving forward with care and confidence.

It seems fitting that this year's voyage begins in the garden ...