Heidi Steltzer

In early 2020, Steltzer spoke on how climate change is having drastic impacts on the cryosphere before the US House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. She addressed the House as a witness for the official hearing which called for an update on the climate crisis. Steltzer was one of five experts called in to speak about this environmental issue. The other scientists called were Pamela McElwee, Richard Murray, Michael Shellenberger, and Taryn Fransen. Steltzer stressed the importance of untouched or unaltered land in the fight against climate change. She stressed also that funding is imperative for the fight to preserve and restore land.

Steltzer's research revolves mostly around alpine and arctic ecology, looking at snow and how the changing climate affects water availability. Steltzer began her research in Gothic, Colorado at the Rocky Mountain Biology Laboratory. Her research led to her be nominated as a writer for the 2019 IPCC report called “The Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate.” Steltzer lead-authored the chapter regarding alpine ecosystems. The IPCC, or Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, is an extension of the United Nations that works to understand how the earth and its inhabitants are affected by a changing climate. Steltzer's team looked specifically at how warming temperatures affect the supplies of earth's water, particularly recession of glacial ice, permafrost thaw, and changes in snow melt. Evidence was compiled from many peer-reviewed studies of various regions, showing consistency in the results. They found that snowfall was in fact decreasing and was resulting in a shorter seasons. The report then suggests action to be taken.

2019 – Steltzer was named the Stuart Allen “Stu” Roosa Honoree, awarded by the Powerhouse Science Center.

2013 – The American Geophysical Union, a group aimed at facilitating scientific exploration, honored Steltzer with Sulzman Award for Excellence in Education and Mentoring.

Steltzer is currently employed as a professor at Fort Lewis College where she has been teaching since 2009. She is currently a professor of biology, environment, and sustainability, and is coordinator for the program.