BY KAREN BOSSICK

Longtime hikers have undoubtedly seen pikas, which resemble tiny rabbits with rounded ears, darting in and out of nests in talus fields of mountains around Sun Valley.

But pika sightings have been getting more scarce with each passing year.

The Outsider Corps will examine this phenomenon on Wednesday, Jan. 10, with a free presentation, “In Search of Haypiles and Answers: Climate Change, Pikas and Politics.” The presentation will be held at 5:30 p.m. in Whiskey Jacques’ upstairs meeting room.

Presenters Bill Morris and Cathryn Wild will ask whether the American pika is headed towards extinction due to climate change.

Morris and Wild will share their experiences surveying for the American pika in the Pecos Wilderness of New Mexico. And they’ll offer insights on how gaps in understanding of pika ecology have contributed to conflicts over climate change impacts on the species.

They will also talk about volunteer opportunities related to the subject.

Outsider Corps is a new free monthly program hosted by Seventh Generation Institute that celebrates, journeys, adventure and nature, connecting them to conservation.