What do beavers, blackboard notes, and Pixar have in common?

While the world may feel full of heavy news, the Department of Geography, Environment & Society has a delightful reason to smile: Pixar has officially released the trailer for its upcoming film Hoppers, set to hit theaters on March 6, 2026 - and it includes a nod to our very own department.

The animated feature centers around beavers, making it fitting that GES Assistant Professor and ecohydrologist, Dr. Emily Fairfax, has spent the past four and a half years collaborating with Pixar’s creative team to support the production of the film. Her expertise played a role in shaping aspects of the film, which we get a taste of in the trailer at both the 3-second and 7-second marks where a classroom blackboard appears with notes that look strikingly similar to material from Fairfax's GEOG 3431: Plant and Animal Geography class. Viewers may even spot a familiar name on the board.

This subtle shout-out highlights the unexpected and exciting ways academic work can ripple into popular culture. For the GES community, it also adds an extra layer of pride and enjoyment as we look forward to the film’s release.

The Hoppers official trailer  is available now for viewing, offering the first glimpse into Pixar’s beaver-filled world and a special departmental cameo.