News
Next Webinar: December 14 at 1 PM MT
This webinar will detail the broader process of developing a menu of climate adaptation strategies and approaches for terrestrial wildlife management to help managers translate broad concepts into specific tactics that will respond to climate change risks and meet desired management goals.
NC CASC scientists visit Nebraska Sandhills Refuges
Kyra Clark-Wolf and Imtiaz Rangwala from NC CASC were accompanied by Orien Richmond to visit three refuges in the Nebraska Sandhills: Valentine, Lacreek, and Ft. Niobrara. The visit, between November 7-9, built upon ongoing conversations with refuge managers and biologists in the Sandhills.
NC CASC webinar recording available
The Colorado River Basin is in crisis. As a result of climate change induced long-term drought, the Basin faces chronic water shortages with significant impacts across economic sectors. The agricultural sector is the largest water user in the Basin, meaning that farmers and ranchers are central to both the impacts of and solutions to water shortages.
NC CASC contributes to the Fifth National Climate Assessment, available today
The Fifth National Climate Assessment (NCA5) is now available online! The NCAs bring together teams of professionals to synthesize knowledge about current and projected trends in global climate change, including information on both environmental and social trends. Several people at the NC CASC contributed to the NCA5.
North Central Mountain Climate Adaptation
The alpine ecosystem, and mountain ecosystems in general, contain unique and climate sensitive biodiversity, as well as provide recreation and water resources for many people. These ecosystems may play an outsized landscape-level role in shielding species from climate change by acting as refugia, or, “safe havens."
Dr. Imtiaz Rangwala participates in a climate adaptation workshop with resource managers working in pinyon and juniper ecosystems in the North Central region
Dr. Imtiaz Rangwala attended a climate adaptation workshop in mid-October to participate in a one-and-half day discussion on pinyon and juniper ecosystem management.
New RCAP 4-pager on the Prairie Pothole region
The Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) spans ~170 million acres in the northern Great Plains, characterized by mixed-grass and tallgrass prairies as well as composed of native cool- season (C3) and warm-season (C4) grasses, interspersed with abundant wetlands or “potholes.” To safeguard biodiversity and maintain wildlife habitat, grassland conservation is a management priority on the nearly 1 million acres of National Wildlife Refuge System lands in the region.
2024 - 2025 CAST Program
The application is now live for the 2024-2025 Climate Adaptation Scientists of Tomorrow (CAST) program! Applicants can be from anywhere in the US and the program covers travel, a living stipend, and provides housing for the 10-week experience for two summers. Share widely to any undergraduate that may be interested in this opportunity!
September/October 2023 Newsletter
The September/October 2023 NC CASC newsletter is out. Learn more about what we've been up to and catch up on any news that you may have missed!
Native American Heritage Month
This November, the NC CASC pays tribute to the rich ancestry and traditions of Native Americans during Native American Heritage month. We foster innovative and applied research in support of Tribal, federal, state and local natural resource management and decision-making. Partnerships with Tribal nations in the North Central region and beyond are unique in that Indigenous peoples have a depth of knowledge extending for millennia.
Next NC CASC webinar - November 9, 2023
The Colorado River Basin is in crisis. As a result of climate change induced long-term drought, the Basin faces chronic water shortages with significant impacts across economic sectors. The agricultural sector is the largest water user in the Basin, meaning that farmers and ranchers are central to both the impacts of and solutions to water shortages. Their involvement will be key to developing effective policy solutions to today’s water crisis.
NC CASC webinar recording available
Biogeography entwines the studies of demography, disturbances, dispersal, and in light of changing climate – disequilibrium dynamics. All of these ecological and evolutionary processes interact to shape the stability of species current and future distributions, and – as I will focus on in this talk – may be influenced by landscape heterogeneity.
New RCAP Product: Climate Adaptation in the North Central Mountains
The Alpine RCAP group has completed a 4-page summary document, titled "Climate Adaptation in the North Central Mountains: Alpine Tundra and Treeline."
Celebrating Indigenous Peoples' Day
The NC CASC recognizes the deep relationship that Indigenous peoples have as caretakers of the lands that comprise the United States of America and beyond. We honor their past, present and future stewardship of these lands, and recognize the importance and value of Indigenous Knowledges in addressing the environmental challenges we face today.
NC CASC’s Dr. Imtiaz Rangwala provides guidance on modeling habitat suitability under future climate for new publication on black-tailed prairie dog
NC CASC’s Dr. Imtiaz Rangwala provided guidance on the development and use of climate scenarios for modeling suitable black-tailed prairie dog habitat in the future.
Funding Opportunity: Applications Open to Host the Southwest and North Central Climate Adaptation Science Centers
Qualified organizations are invited to apply to host and, as applicable, serve as consortium partners for the North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center (NC CASC) and Southwest Climate Adaptation Science Center (SW CASC).
The Prairie Climate Companion: Invasive Species
In grassland ecosystems, herbaceous invasive species decrease native species diversity, reduce forage quality and quantity for animals, alter habitat structure, and affect nutrient cycling and availability. Check out the next issue of The Prairie Climate Companion to learn more.
New Publication on Scenario-Based Decisions
Congratulations to USGS research ecologist, Dr. Brian Miller, on a new publication titled, "Scenario-Based Decision Analysis: Integrated scenario planning and structured decision making for resource management." The publication includes members of the NC CASC: Dr. Imtiaz Rangwala, Dr. William Travis, as well as other partners.
USGS Announces New Leaders for Five Regional Climate Adaptation Science Centers
Yesterday, the US Geological Survey published a national news release announcing five new Regional Administrators (formerly known as “directors”) for the Climate Adaptation Science Centers (CASCs). The new Regional Administrators are: Olivia LeDee at the Midwest CASC, Molly Cross at the North Central CASC, Carrie Brown-Lima at the Northeast CASC, Suzanne Von Cooten at the South Central CASC, and Stephanie McAfee at the Southwest CASC.
Welcome, Dr. Molly Cross!
We are pleased to welcome Molly Cross as the new North Central CASC Regional Administrator (the position formerly known as “Center Director”)! Molly officially started in her new role yesterday, September 25th. Molly joins the CASC network from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), where she served as the Climate Adaptation and Resilience Lead for their Global Forests and Climate Change Program.
Next Webinar: October 12, 2023
Biogeography entwines the studies of demography, disturbances, dispersal, and in light of changing climate – disequilibrium dynamics. Hear more from NC CASC/USGS biologist, Dr. Meagan Oldfather, during her October 12 webinar titled, "Climate Responses and Adaptation in Heterogeneous Landscapes."
NC CASC Scientists Awarded NPS Grasslands Resilience Project
NC CASC scientists (Rangwala, Miller Hesed, and Clark-Wolf) have been awarded a project titled "Grassland Resilience in the Northern Great Plains under Climate Change" by the National Park Service to inform and improve adaptive management practices associated with conserving the prairie in the northern Great Plains region.
The Rapid Climate Assessment Program
In a world of rapid climate change, there’s a need for rapid assessment of these changes. The NC CASC’s Rapid Climate Assessment Program (RCAP) was started in the summer of 2023 to create a series of scientific syntheses referred to as Rapid Climate Assessments that can be used as a baseline for further research and a foundation for future stakeholder engagement, with possible longer-term or more in-depth projects.
James Rattling Leaf, Sr. guest edits for "Talking Climate"
NC CASC's James Rattling Leaf, Sr. guest edits for Dr. Katharine Hayhoe's "Talking Climate" series. Learn about the good/not-so-good news and what you can do.
Webinar Recording Now Available
Did you miss the NC CASC webinar? The recording is now available on our YouTube channel. Learn more about the Ogallala Aquifer (OA), which underlies about 111 million acres of Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico, including about 1.9 million acres of Tribal lands and 2.9 million acres of federal lands.
Stefan Tangen: New NC CASC USGS Research Coordinator
Congratulations to Stefan Tangen, the new NC CASC USGS Research Coordinator! Stefan previously worked with the CASC and USGS through his position with the Great Plains Tribal Water Alliance, where he was a BIA-funded Tribal Climate Resilience Liaison for the last five years.
NC CASC SciComm Training
Are you a scientist or science communicator looking for more effective ways to communicate your messages to broad audiences? If so, the North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center invites you to register for our SciComm Training.
CIRES names James Rattling Leaf, Sr. as inaugural Tribal advisor
James Rattling Leaf, Sr. joins CIRES this month as the institute’s first-ever Tribal advisor. This follows after six years of working as a tribal engagement specialist on various CIRES teams, including with the NC CASC.
NC CASC July/August Newsletter
Our July/August 2023 newsletter is now out! Find out what the NC CASC has been up to over the summer, from workshops to the Rapid Climate Assessment Program (RCAP).
Societal Impacts of Climate Adaptation Science
How can social scientists work with communities to co-produce open, accessible science, while also protecting personal information? The North Central and South Central CASCs developed a research project to assess the societal impacts of their science.
Upcoming NC CASC Webinar: September 14, 2023
Our first webinar for the fall will be on Thursday, September 14, at 11 AM MT. Join us to learn more about the Ogallala Aquifer by Dr. Caitlin Rottler (South Central Climate Adaptation Science Center).
Partnerships, Not Parachutes
“As Indigenous people we don’t say we don’t like science; we do use it [too], but we also understand that we also bring our knowledge too,” Rattling Leaf says. Check out this new article about the importance of Indigenous knowledge and citizen science for enhancing climate knowledge.
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RCAP Summer Presentations
The NC CASC Rapid Climate Assessment Program (RCAP) aims to create a series of Rapid Climate Assessments (RCAs) which are a synthesis of science information that can be used as a baseline for further research and a foundation for future stakeholder engagement.
Ecological Scenarios Working Group convenes for NC CASC Workshop
On July 18-19, 2023, a group of multidisciplinary scientists from Utah, Montana, Hawaii, Colorado, and Alaska joined the NC CASC in Boulder, Colorado for the Ecological Scenarios Workshop, co-led by NC CASC’s Kyra Clark-Wolf, Imtiaz Rangwala, Wynne Moss, and Brian Miller.
New Publication is a Collaborative Effort
A new publication in the open-access journal, Conservation Science and Practice, is a collaborative effort by authors spanning the university (NC CASC), consortium partner (Wildlife Conservation Society), and federal (USGS) sectors, as well as other partners recruited to serve on the Grasslands Synthesis Project Management Priorities Working Group.
Indigenous Communities in the United States: Leaders in Climate Adaptation
On August 31, 2023 at 6 PM PDT, come hear about Indigenous Communities in the US as leaders in climate adaptation. The speakers include: Aparna Bamzai-Dodson, USGS North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center Nicole Herman-Mercer, USGS Southwest Climate Adaptation Science Center Sheree Watson, USGS Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center and USGS WY-MT Water Science Center
The August 2023 Tribal Climate Newsletter
The August 2023 Tribal Climate Resilience Newsletter is now out. Learn about the Native Lands mapping tool, upcoming events, and resources available for use on the changing grasslands in the North Central region of the US.
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Climate Adaptation Scientists of Tomorrow
Last week, the three students in the NC CASC's Climate Adaptation Scientists of Tomorrow (CAST) program gave their final presentations. Eleven students from across the 4 CAST programs gave 3-minute thesis style presentations. They were judged by a panel of 4 judges on how clearly they communicated both their topic and the larger impact of their research, the quality of their single slide, and their presentation style. Steele Stevens (who worked with Tyler McIntosh in Earth Lab) won 2nd place and Kandice Agudo (who worked for part of the summer on a state vulnerability study with Heather) won 3rd. Congratulations to our students!
Prairie Climate Companion: Woody Encroachment
The next installment of the Prairie Climate Companion is now out! Learn more about woody encroachment in this issue.
Indigenous Knowledge in Tribal wildlife management
NC CASC/USGS climate adaptation scientist, Anthony Ciocco, and NC CASC Tribal resilience liaison, Stefan Tangen, are co-authors on a new publication in the Wildlife Society Bulletin that explores the basic preconditions for actualizing Indigenous Knowledge (IK) in Tribal wildlife management.
The July 2023 Tribal Climate Resilience Newsletter
The next Tribal Climate Resilience newsletter is now out! Read more about resources, internships, and upcoming workshops.
May/June 2023 newsletter available online
The NC CASC May/June 2023 newsletter is out! Learn more about what our scientists and partners have been up to in the realm of research and outreach.
Prairie Climate Companion: Native Plant Composition & Diversity
The next 2-pager is out for the Grasslands Synthesis Project. Learn more about how climate change will have different impacts on different species and groups of species of plants. Individual plant species have traits that make them more or less sensitive to shifts in temperature, precipitation and carbon dioxide.
New Publication on Nature Futures
NC CASC/USGS research ecologist, Dr. Brian Miller, is co-author on a new publication, out now! "Towards a better future for biodiversity and people: Modeling Nature Futures."
The Prairie Pothole Region
During the month of May, Dr. Imtiaz Rangwala, climate science lead at the NC CASC, visited US Fish and Wildlife partners at refuges in the Prairie Pothole region of the US, participated in a four-square-mile pond survey, and facilitated a workshop on climate scenario planning.
NC CASC and Earth Lab release Drought Index Portal
NC CASC and Earth Lab have recently released the Drought Index Portal (DrIP) through the University of Colorado, Boulder. DrIP is a web analytic resource to display, compare, and extract time series for various indicators of drought in the contiguous United States.
The Tribal Climate Leaders Program
William Crawford is a recent University of Colorado Boulder graduate and fellow of the Tribal Climate Leaders Program (TCLP), run through the North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center. His research targeted a significant plant to the Dakota, which once grew in abundance in the Northern Plains.
RSS Supplemental Guidance: Integration of Climate Change Scenario Planning into the RSS Process
The NC CASC's Brian Miller and the National Park Service team are excited to announce the publishing of the Resource Stewardship Strategy (RSS) Supplemental Guidance.
The June 2023 Tribal Climate Resilience Newsletter
The June 2023 edition of the Tribal Climate Resilience Newsletter is out! Learn about new funding opportunities, resources and upcoming events.
Welcome Megan Moore!
Megan Moore is an ORISE stakeholder engagement fellow with the North Central and Northwest Climate Adaptation Centers. She is a social scientist with a research background in rural community transitions, climate adaptation strategies, and community resilience across the U.S. West.
New International Working Group
On May 15 - 17, NC CASC climate science lead, Dr. Imtiaz Rangwala, participated in a new multi-disciplinary and international working group effort related to conservation of grassland birds (from Mexico to Canada) in Santa Barbara, CA.
Ethical Space: Indigenous Engagement for Environmental Science Professionals
Indigenous Peoples are key partners for achieving natural resource management and conservation goals. But first, western science professionals need to understand how to collaborate with Indigenous partners in a spirit of respect and reciprocity.
The Prairie Climate Companion: Wild & Prescribed Fire
The Grasslands Synthesis Project focuses on understanding how climate change and variability impacts grassland ecosystems and their management in the 21st century. We invite you to check out the next edition of "The Praire Climate Companion", which focuses on wild and prescribed fire.
Welcome to Nadine Golden!
Nadine Golden is joining us on a 120-day detail as the Assistant Regional Administrator (formerly titled Deputy Director) for the North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center.
CIRES Rendezvous 2023
Members of the NC CASC presented posters during the annual CIRES Rendezvous on the University of Colorado Boulder main campus. Dr.
The Prairie Climate Companion: Water Availability
The Grasslands Synthesis Project focuses on understanding how climate change and variability impacts grassland ecosystems and their management in the 21st century. We invite you to check out the next edition of "The Prairie Climate Companion", which focuses on water availability.
NC CASC webinar available online
This webinar discusses findings from the Grasslands Synthesis Project, recently published as USGS Open File-Report 2023-1037 and USGS Open File-Report 2023-1036. Grasslands in the Great Plains are of ecological, economic, and cultural importance in the United States, and understanding how climate change and variability will impact these ecosystems is crucial for successful grassland management in the 21st century.
The Grasslands Synthesis Project
The Grasslands Synthesis Project focuses on understanding how climate change and variability impacts grassland ecosystems and their management in the 21st century. We invite you to check out the new page: nccasc.colorado.edu/grasslands
Climate Champion: Dr. Aparna Bamzai-Dodson
Dr. Aparna Bamzai-Dodson with the USGS North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center uses social science to tease apart how people make decisions when planning for and adapting to climate change.
May 2023 Tribal Climate Newsletter
Learn more about the Rosebud Sioux Tribe's Climate Adaptation Plan and the Biden-Harris Administration's Inflation Reduction Act Guidebook for Tribal Nations.
March/April 2023 newsletter available online
The NC CASC March/April 2023 newsletter is out! Learn more about what our scientists and partners have been up to in the realm of research and outreach.
CASC Tribal Liaison Handout
Tribal Nations and Alaska Native communities face significant challenges in responding and strengthening resiliency to the extreme weather events and environmental hazards resulting from climate change. The Bureau of Indian Affairs’ Branch of Tribal Climate Resilience (TCR), the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) Climate Adaptation Science Centers (CASCs), and several Tribal Nations/Organizations are collaborating to support a nationwide network of Liaisons. Each Liaison works directly with a regional CASC connecting resources to federally-recognized Tribes in climate adaptation efforts.
Climate Champion, Dr. Brian Miller
USGS and NC CASC Research Ecologist, Dr. Brian Miller, uses scenario planning to help managers think about different possible climate conditions, allowing them to be ready for anything the future may bring.
Dr. Imtiaz Rangwala presents Climate Change and Water webinar for University of Wyoming’s 2023 CPNR Water Symposium
NC CASC’s Dr. Imtiaz Rangwala presented a pre-symposium webinar on April 14, titled Climate Change and Water in the West, for the University of Wyoming’s 2023 CPNR Water Symposium. Dr.
The Grasslands Synthesis Project
Understanding how climate change and variability will impact grassland ecosystems is crucial for successful grasslands management in the future. Towards that goal, the NC CASC began the "Grasslands Synthesis Project" in 2020 to compile baseline information on broadly shared grassland management goals and challenges in the North Central region.
April 2023 Tribal Climate Newsletter
"Tired Of Being Told To ‘Adapt,’ An Indigenous Community Wrote Its Own Climate Action Plan."
NC CASC at the Fifth National Climate Assessment All Authors Meeting
Last week, contributors and authors convened in Washington, D.C. to work on the Fifth National Climate Assessment (NCA5).
Sicangu Lakota (Rosebud Sioux) Climate Adaptation Plan Now Online
The Sicangu Lakota (Rosebud Sioux) Tribe partnered with the Tribal Data Sovereignty Initiative and Lark Environmental, with technic
Upcoming NC CASC webinar - April 13, 2023
This presentation explores the social factors that contribute to agency decisions about ecological transformation. Faced with global climate change and ecological transformation, natural resource managers are being forced to reconsider how they engage with stakeholders and make decisions.
Forest Recovery Following Severe Fires
In a new study that examines the severity of fires in combination with hotter and drier conditions plaguing the Western United States, researchers are “seeing the forest for the trees.” Using information from 334 wildfires and 10,000 field plots, collected by more than 50 research teams, this new study, led by NC CASC affiliate Dr. Kim Davis has uncovered a pattern.
New Summer GRAs Available
Interested in summer GRAs? Then check out the opportunities and apply!
Congratulations to James Rattling Leaf, Sr.!
This Nature Climate Change article, co-authored by NC CASC's James Rattling Leaf, Sr., explores the importance of co-production of knowledge for climate change.
NC CASC webinar available online
The Sicangu Lakota (Rosebud Sioux) tribe recognizes the climate crisis we are facing, and is planning to adapt and thrive.
Congratulations to Will Crawford!
Congratulations to Will Crawford who successfully defended his Masters thesis on Monday! His project, "Dak̇od Wóokaḣniġe Ohna Ṫípsiŋna Awaŋyakapi" (Protecting Prairie Turnips Through Traditional Dakota Wisdom and Understanding) was a model for how to do relevant research that benefits his Tribe and adds to our collective wisdom.
January/February 2023 Newsletter is Available Online
Check out the January/February issue of our newsletter. We strive to update you on NC CASC science, opportunities and events across our region.
NC CASC Research Reel
The North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center strives to help natural and cultural resource managers use actionable and open data, tools, and innovative science and information to make climate-informed decisions that support resilient ecosystems.
March 2023 Tribal Climate Newsletter
Learn about new job and funding opportunities this spring in the new Tribal Climate Resilience newsletter.
2/9/23 Webinar Available Online
Drought, despite being an episodic phenomenon, is capable of triggering persistent changes to ecosystems, with important consequences for both biodiversity and human communities.
March 16 NC CASC webinar
The Sicangu Lakota (Rosebud Sioux) tribe recognizes the climate crisis we are facing, and is planning to adapt and thrive.
Welcome to Dr. Kyra Clark-Wolf!
The NC CASC is happy to welcome postdoctoral associate, Dr. Kyra Clark-Wolf! She is studying ecological transformation in a context of changing climate and disturbance regimes. Kyra’s research interests integrate perspectives from paleoecology, fire ecology, and ecosystem ecology.
Western Wildfires Destroying More Homes Per Square Mile Burned
Climate change, more buildings near flammable vegetation, and accidental human ignitions contributed to wildfires’ increased destructiveness.
The Grasslands-Climate Workshop
On January 24-25, 2023 a number of US Fish and Wildlife Service staff and partners working on grassland conservation met in person in Lakewood, CO for the Grasslands-Climate Workshop.
The Decline of the Western Bumble Bee
The western bumble bee was once common in western North America, but increasing temperatures, drought, and pesticide use have contributed to a 57% decline in the occurrence of this species in its historical range. NC CASC climate lead, Dr. Imtiaz Rangwala, is a co-author on this new U.S. Geological Survey-led study.
Top Climate News Stories of 2022
USGS Climate highlights their top 5 climate news stories of 2022 on Twitter, choosing our coverage of drought in the Milk and St. Mary river basins as one of them.
Dr. William Travis Quoted in Discovery Magazine
“Adapting to the current climate is not necessarily what you want to do for the future climate,” says William Travis, a geographer at CU Boulder.
Welcome to Hailey Robe!
The NC CASC is excited to welcome a new program assistant, Hailey Robe, to our staff.
November/December 2022 Newsletter is Available Online
Check out the November/December issue of our newsletter. We strive to update you on NC CASC science, opportunities and events across our region.
Upcoming NC CASC webinar
Drought, despite being an episodic phenomenon, is capable of triggering persistent changes to ecosystems, with important consequences for both biodiversity and human communities.
Experts: More Diverse Science is Better Science
Congratulations to USGS Deputy Director, Dr. Aparna Bamzai-Dodson, on being quoted in an E&E news article. As an attendee of the annual conference of the American Geophysical Union, Bamzai-Dodson emphasized the importance of diverse groups in finding creative solutions to complex problems such as global warming.
December 2022 Tribal Climate Newsletter
Learn more about investments in Tribal climate resilience, putting Indigenous knowledge into practice for climate change, and the upcoming Native youth climate adaptation leadership Congress in this month's Tribal
Cross-Park Resist-Accept-Direct (RAD) Change Project
In a time of climate change, the human element - agency context and rules, as well as emotions and values - influence how resource managers respond to environmental changes. The Cross-Park RAD (resist-accept-direct change) Project aims to increase understanding of how institutional and emotional factors influence manager decision making in the National Park Service in the face of ecological transformation.
Webinar Recording Available
Missed the December 8, 2022 NC CASC webinar?
Welcome to Dr. Jamie Peeler!
Find out more about postdoc fellow, Jamie Peeler, a landscape ecologist dedicated to tackling forest conservation challenges in a more fire-prone world.
Webinar Recording Available Online
If you missed Dr. Jeff Martin's webinar on bison management (November 10, 2022), view the recording here on our YouTube channel.
Upcoming NC CASC webinar
Join our next webinar, Fires of Unusual Size: Future of Extreme Wildfire in the Continental United States, featuring Dr. Jilmarie Stephens of the University of Colorado Boulder. December 8, 2022 at 11 AM MST.
Welcome to Jennifer Zavaleta Cheek!
Warm welcome to NC CASC principal investigator, Jennifer Zavaleta Cheek, assistant professor at South Dakota State University.
November 2022 Tribal Newsletter
Learn more about a peace walk for environmental justice; Native drought resilience; and the future of large landscape conservation. Check out jobs/internships/funding opportunities available this month.
September/October 2022 Newsletter is Available Online
Check out the September/October issue of our newsletter. We strive to update you on NC CASC science, opportunities and events across our region.
Welcome to Caitlin Littlefield!
Caitlin Littlefield (she/her) is a Lead Scientist at Conservation Science Partners. She is a broadly trained landscape ecologist who works at the intersection of forest ecology, conservation biology, and climate change adaptation.
National Adaptation Forum
Several NC CASC members are presenting (or are being represented) in Baltimore, MD this week (Oct 25 - 27, 2022) at the National Adaptation Forum (NAF).
Rapid Ecological Change & Transformation Across the Middle and Southern Rockies During a Previous Climate Warming
How did rapid ecological change and transformation in the Middle and Southern Rockies unfold during a previous, dramatic climate warming? Answering this question could help resource managers better prepare for such phenomena in the future.
Upcoming NC CASC webinar
Join our next webinar, Sustainable Management of Bison in a Changing World, featuring Dr. Jeff Martin of South Dakota State University. November 10, 2022 at 11 AM MDT.
The Lakota Climate Summit
The Lakota Climate Summit is currently being held in Rapid City, South Dakota, from October 18 - 20, 2022. Members of the NC CASC will be presenting on changes to water, preparation for extreme weather, and Tribal climate resilience.
Collaboratively Producing Climate Information for Managing Natural Resources
Putting science into policy and practice has been a long-standing challenge, especially in the realm of climate change and adaptation to climate change. To better guide future climate science investments, researchers would benefit from an understanding of what information is most relevant to managers.
CASC Early Career Workshop
Members of the NC CASC (Nicole DeCrappeo, Christy Miller Hesed, Jilmarie Stephens, Ulyana Pena, Tony Ciocco, Kynser Wahwahsuck, and Prasad Thota) are attending the Early Career Workshop put on by the NCASC and USGS in Albuquerque, New Mexico this week.
Cross-Park RAD Project
How institutional context and emotions shape manager decisions to resist, accept, or direct change in transforming ecosystems: a cross- case study in four national parks
Indigenous Peoples Day
Tribal Nations are unique partners for us since their connection to the environment is often thousands of years old. We at NC CASC are committed to working with them to create usable and relevant science to build climate resilience.
NC CASC post-doc in ecology
The NC CASC invites applications for a Postdoctoral Scientist in Ecology to perform research activities on the topic of Ecological Impacts and Transformation under Climate Change in the 21st Century.
CFT now available on CRAN
Climate Futures Toolbox - now on CRAN - is a shining example of the type of tool built at Earth Lab. It's an open-source software package that bridges the gap between “big” climate data and meaningful climate insights.
October 2022 Tribal Climate Newsletter is Available Online
Check out new jobs, events and funding opportunities.
Fast Drought - An Oxymoron?
New research is showing that contrary to past thinking of drought as a slow process taking multiple seasons or years to fully develop, fast-evolving drying events are becoming more common.
Upcoming NC CASC webinar
Join our next webinar, Rapid Ecological Change & Transformation Across the Middle and Southern Rockies During a Previous Climate Warming, featuring Dr. Shelley Crausbay of the US Forest Service. October 20, 2022 at 11 AM MDT.
SWAP Cooperator’s Report Available Online
This report is an evaluation of how to best support states in the North Central region with further integrating climate-informed planning in State Wildlife Action Plans.
Managing Mountain Goats?
Alpine ecosystems can be considered "hard boundaries" where climate change is expected to have disproportionate effects on the species that call it home.
September 2022 Tribal Climate Newsletter is Available Online
Check out highlights including "planting hope" and nature-based climate solutions.
July/August 2022 Newsletter is Available Online
Welcome to the new MailChimp version of the NC CASC newsletter. We strive to update you on NC CASC science, opportunities and events across our region.
Next NC CASC webinar
Join our next webinar, The Challenge of Planning for Extremes in Natural and Cultural Resources, featuring NC CASC's university director, Dr. William R. Travis. September 8, 2022 at 11 AM MDT.
NC CASC August 2022 Tribal Climate Newsletter Now Available Online
The August 2022 issue of the NC CASC Tribal Climate Newsletter is now available online: Highlights include:
Anthony Ciocco Rejoins the NC CASC as a USGS Climate Adaptation Scientist
Anthony Ciocco is a USGS Climate Adaptation Scientist who initially joined the NC CASC program in July of 2020 as a BIA Pathways Program Intern.
New Publication: Conservation under uncertainty: Innovations in Participatory Climate Change Scenario Planning from U.S. National Parks
NC CASC Research Ecologist Brian Miller and former NC CASC colleague Brecken Robb are co-authors on a new publication, Conservation under uncertainty: Innovations in participatory climate change scenario planning from U.S.
Brian Miller Co-author on New Publication on Global Biodiversity Loss
NC CASC/USGS Research Ecologist is a co-author on a new paper, "Expert perspectives on global biodiversity loss and its drivers and impacts o
NC CASC Welcomes Kynser Wahwahsuck, Tribal Climate Resilience Liaison
The NC CASC is excited to welcome Kynser Wahwahsuck, the new Tribal Climate Resilience Liaison for the Great Plains Tribal Water Alliance.
NC CASC May/June 2022 Newsletter Now Available Online
The May/June 2022 issue of the NC CASC newsletter is now available online:
NC CASC July 2022 Tribal Climate Newsletter Now Available Online
The July 2022 issue of the NC CASC Tribal Climate Newsletter is now available online:
New NC CASC-funded Publications
Interannual variation in climate contributes to contingency in post-fire restoration outcomes in seeded sagebrush steppe from this project:
NC CASC Welcomes Ella Ho, Undergraduate Research Assistant
Ella Ho is an undergraduate in the Astronomy and Planetary Sciences department with minors in Space and Atmospheric and Oceanic Science.
Rangwala Discusses Western U.S. Drought in Interview with CBC Radio-Canada
A prolonged drought in the western U.S. has left Colorado River reservoirs seriously depleted.
RISCC Management Network Announces Career Opportunity for Cross-RISCC Interaction
The Regional Invasive Species and Climate Change (RISCC) Management network (risccnetwork.org) aims to reduce the compounding effects of invasive species and climate change by synthesizing rele
NC RISCC Launches New Website
The NC RISCC is excited to announce the launch of their new website containing published materials, videos, and other information about the NC RISCC.
Rangwala Presents to Climate Civilian Corps Fellows and USFWS Mentors
On June 8, NC CASC Climate Science Lead Imtiaz Rangwala presented and discussed "
June 2022 NC CASC Tribal Climate Newsletter Now Online
The June 2022 issue of the NC CASC Tribal Climate Newsletter is now available for viewing online.
The Future of International Waterways: The Milk and St. Mary River Basins Case Study
Along the US-Canadian border, international waterways weave a path from the mountains down to the foothills, feeding the Milk and St. Mary river basins, important regions to the Chippewa Cree Indians, Blackfeet, Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes.
NC CASC March/April 2022 Newsletter Now Available Online
The March/April 2022 issue of the NC CASC Newsletter is now available online:
NC CASC Partners Co-Author Paper: "Challenges to Forest Restoration in an Era of Unprecedented Climate and Wildfire Activity in Rocky Mountain Subalpine Forests"
NC CASC consortium partners, Phil Higuera, University of Montana, and
NC CASC May 2022 Tribal Climate Newsletter Now Online
The NC CASC May 2022 Tribal Climate Newsletter is now available online:
GPTWA Seeks Applicants for Tribal Climate Resilience Liaison II Position
The Great Plains Tribal Water Alliance is hiring for a full-time Tribal Climate Resilience Liaison.
NC CASC Webinar Series: Identifying Potential Landscapes for Conservation Across the Central Grasslands of North America: Integrating Keystone Species, Land Use, and Climate Change
Please join us for our next NC CASC Webinar Series webinar: Identifying Potential Landscapes for Conservation Across the Central Grasslands of North America: Integrating Keystone Species, Land Use, and Climate Change
R-Shiny App to Project Daily Snowfall and Rainfall
The NC CASC Climate Science Support Platform has developed a new R-Shiny app to quantify daily snowfall and rainfall quantities from total daily precipitation data in both observations (gridMET) and future projections (MACAv2-METDATA).
Climate Solutions Days 2022
The North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center (NC CASC), a joint effort of the U.S. Geological Survey and the University of Colorado Boulder, held its inaugural “Climate Solutions Days” during Earth Week 2022, providing an à la carte offering of presentations, workshops and training by scientists and practitioners working on climate change and natural resource changes in the North Central region of the United States.
Dr. Christy Miller-Hesed to Co-facilitate "Climate Change and Climate Adaptation Training for Grasslands Conservation Practitioners"
North American grasslands are a regional priority of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS).
ESA Announces Emerging Indigenous Scholar Leadership Award
WCS Co-authors Study on Climate Adaptation
NC CASC consortium partner, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), has co-authored a study on climate adaptation, "Strengthening monitoring
Brian Miller to Co-present "Scenario Planning as a Climate Change Adaptation Tool" webinar
NC CASC/USGS Research Ecologist Brian Miller, Gregor Schuurman, NPS Climate Change Response Program and Amy Symstad, USGS will co-present "Scenario Planning as a Climate Change Adaptation Tool" as part of the National Park Service (NPS)
Recent paper by Christy Miller-Hesed Explores Cultural Knowledge and Goals for Environmental Monitoring
NC CASC Research Associate Christy Miller-Hesed is co-author on a recent publication, Identifying and harmonizing the priorities of stakeholders in the Chesapeake Bay environmental monitoring community, in Current Research in Environmental Sustainability.
Recent NC CASC Publications
Recent NC CASC Publications
Graduate Student Mentors Needed for Summer 2022 USGS CAST Program
The North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center (NC CASC) seeks 3 graduate student mentors to provide peer mentoring to 3 summer undergraduate research fellows.
NC CASC Webinar Series: Tools for developing reproducible climate futures for resource planning
Please join us for the next NC CASC webinar on Thursday, April 14, 2022, 11a -12p MDT:
Tools for developing reproducible climate futures for resource planning
NC CASC to Celebrate Earth Week 2022 by Hosting "Climate Solutions Days" Events
Join the NC CASC as we celebrate Earth Week 2022 by hosting Climate Solutions Days, an à la carte offering of presentations, workshops and trainings scheduled throughout the week where scientists and practitioners will share insights on climate change impacts from findings in the North Central region.
NC CASC April 2022 Tribal Climate Newsletter Now Online
The NC CASC April 2022 Newsletter is now available to read online.
NC CASC-USGS Team to Present at North American Regional Association of the International Association for Landscape Ecology Annual Meeting
NC CASC ecologist Brian Miller, with co-authors Brecken Robb
New Publication: Murky waters: divergent ways scientists, practitioners, and landowners evaluate beaver mimicry
A new publication by NC CASC team members and others examines beaver mimicry as a conservation technique to restore streams and manage water that is gaining popularity within the natural resource management community because of a wide va
ITEP Tribes and Climate Change Program Call for Proposals Now Open
The Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) Tribes and Climate Change Program is delighted to announce that the
NPS Climate Change Response Program and NC CASC Partner on Climate Change Scenario Planning Presentation
The NPS Climate Change Response program and NC CASC are partnering to deliver a presentation "Participatory Climate Change Scenario Planning: A standard approach, application guidelines, and management outcomes from a decade of research
NC CASC January/February 2022 Newsletter
The January/February 2022 issue of the NC CASC newsletter is now available online. In this edition we
Heather Yocum Represents NC CASC at Chancellors Annual Summit, "Working to Forge a Just and Sustainable Future"
WCS Climate Adaptation Fund Announces 2022 Request for Proposals
NC CASC Consortium Partner Wildlife Conservation Society's Climate Adaptation Fund has released its request for proposals for the 2022 grant cycle.
James Rattling Leaf to Serve as Panelist on UCAR's 2022 Worldwide Climate Justice Teach-in Event
NCEI and CISESS Release State Climate Summaries 2022
NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) and the
March 2022 Issue of the NC CASC Tribal Climate Newsletter Now Available Online
The March 2022 Issue of the NC CASC Tribal Climate Newsletter is now available online.
NC CASC to Celebrate Earth Week 2022 by Hosting "Climate Solutions Days" Events
Join the NC CASC as we celebrate Earth Week 2022 by hosting Climate Solutions Days, an à la carte offering of presentations, workshops and trainings scheduled throughout the week where scientists and practitioners will share insights on climate change impacts from findings in the North Central region.
James Rattling Leaf Presenting at Second Lakota Food Summit 2022
NC CASC PI James Rattling Leaf will present "Developing Tribal Strategies to Deal with a Changing Climate" at the Second Lakota Food Summit on February 17th.
New Publication by James Rattling Leaf: "What is Traditional Ecological Knowledge and why does it matter?"
NC CASC PI James Rattling Leaf has published a new paper in ESA's Frontiers in Ecology & the Environment titled "What is Traditional Ecological Knowledge and why does it matter?"
North Central Regional Invasive Species and Climate Change (NC RISCC) to Host Science Integration Workshop
New Publication by Brian Miller: "Conservation under uncertainty: Innovations in participatory climate change scenario planning from U.S. national parks"
NC CASC/USGS Research Ecologist Brian Miller is the primary author of a new publication, "Conservation under uncertainty: Innovations in participatory climate change scenario planning from U.S. national parks".
Phil Higuera Co-authors New Paper, "Developing strategies to support social-ecological resilience in flammable landscapes: A structured approach for natural resource managers and other stakeholders"
NC CASC consortium partner, Phil Higuera, University of Montana, is co-author on a new paper, "Developing strategies to support social-ecological resilience in flammable landscapes: A structured approach for natural resource managers and other stakeholders". The paper is a product of the USDA/US Forest Service Joint Fire Science Program.
Brian Miller to Present at the Center for Geospatial Analytics at North Carolina State University
On February 24th, Brian Miller, NC CASC Research Ecologist, will be giving an invited presentation to the Center for Geospatial Analytics at North Carolina State University as part of their 2021-22 Geospatial Forum series.
Brian Miller Co-author on New Publication: "Increasing the Uptake of Ecological Model Results in Policy Decisions to Improve Biodiversity Outcomes"
NC CASC/USGS Research Ecologist, Brian Miller, is co-author on a new publication in Environmental Modelling and Software, "Increasing the uptake of ecological model results in policy decisions to improve biodiversity outcomes".
NC CASC February Tribal Climate Newsletter Now Online
The NC CASC February 2022 Tribal Climate newsletter is now available online.
NC CASC's Rattling Leaf to Serve as Panelist on Upcoming American Meteorological Society (AMS) Webinar
NC CASC's James Rattling Leaf, Sr. will be a panelist on an upcoming American Meteorological Society (AMS) webinar at 10 – 11:30 AM MST on Tuesday, February 22, 2022, "How Can Spiritual and Faith-Based Knowledge Systems Inform the Weather, Water, and Climate Enterprise?"
NC CASC Webinar Series Webinar: Developing Climate Information for US Fish and Wildlife Service Species Status Assessments Using the Climate Toolbox
Please join us for the NC CASC Webinar Series Webinar on Thursday, February 10, 2022, 11a -12p MST: "Developing Climate Information for US Fish and Wildlife Service Species Status Assessments Using the Climate Toolbox"
Heather Yocum Co-authors Publication on State Wildlife Action Plans
NC CASC Stakeholder Engagement Lead, Heather Yocum, has co-authored a new publication in Conservation Science and Practice titled "Assessing the use of climate change information in State Wildlife Action Plans".
James Rattling Leaf Interviewed by Directions Magazine "Geoinspirations Podcast Series"
NC CASC PI James Rattling Leaf was recently interviewed by Directions Magazine for their Geoinspirations Podcast Series: James Rattling Leaf - Responsibility, Reciprocity, Relevance, and Relationality.
WWA Scientist Publishes Summary on Latest Findings in Marshall Fire
Seth Arens at the Western Water Assessment has published a summary of what we know about the causes of the Marshall Fire, now available on WWA's Climate Dashboard.
NC CASC January 2022 Tribal Climate Newsletter Now Available Online
The January 2022 issue of the NC CASC Tribal Climate Newsletter is now available online.
Join Western Water Assessment's Upcoming Webinar Introducing the Snowtography Handbook
Join Western Water Assessment for our webinar on the Snowtography: Snowpack & Soil Moisture Monitoring Handbook , Friday, January 21, 2022 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (MST)
Recent Publications from NC CASC-Funded Projects
Several papers have recently been published from projects sponsored by the NC CASC.
Request for Public Comment on the Annotated Outlines of the Fifth National Climate Assessment
NOAA, on behalf of the U.S. Global Change Research Program, has issued a Federal Register Notice seeking public feedback on the annotated outlines of each chapter of the Fifth National Climate Assessment.
NC CASC November/December 2021 Newsletter Now Online
Our November/December 2021 newsletter is now available online.
NC CASC Partner, CSP, and SW CASC Publish Paper on Shifting Phenology with Climate Change
NC CASC partner, Shelley Crausbay, CSP, along with CSP colleagues and members of the SW CASC have published a new paper, "Dominant Sonoran Desert Plant Species Have Divergent Phenological Responses to Climate Change".
NC CASC Wildfire Scientists Field Media Requests for Comments on Marshall Fire
NC CASC wildfire scientists, Jennifer Balch, University of Colorado Boulder, and Phil Higuera, University of Montana, have been fielding numerous media requests for interviews regarding the Marshall Fire in Boulder County last month.
James Rattling Leaf to Co-host Rising Voices Event: Building Relational and Effective Partnerships with Indigenous Communities
Building Relational and Effective Partnerships with Indigenous Communities.
December Urban Wildfire
December urban wildfire. Three words thought unimaginable to exist in the same sentence. That was the case until Thursday, December 30, 2021.
NC CASC December 2021 Tribal Climate Newsletter
Read the NC CASC December 2021 Tribal Climate Newsletter, now available online.
NC CASC Webinar Series Webinar: Setting habitat protection and restoration priorities in a warming world: Lessons from Wyoming
In 2020, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) partnered with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) on a project designed to help the agency incorporate climate change into their Statewide Habitat Plan (SHP) that was slated for an update that year.
New Publication: "Uncertainty, Complexity and Constraints: How Do We Robustly Assess Biological Responses under a Rapidly Changing Climate?"
A new paper published in Climate, "Uncertainty, Complexity and Constraints: How Do We Robustly Assess Biological Responses under a Rapidly Changing Climate?"
NC CASC Tribal Drought Webinar
Join us on Thursday, December 2nd at 1 PM MT for a Tribal Climate Webinar. The session will provide updates on drought in the Northern Great Plains and an outlook on what to expect for the winter and spring seasons.
Spotlight: Tribal Climate Adaptation Planning
On October 18 – 21, 2021, participants from the Ute Mountain Ute, Southern Ute and Ute Tribe of Utah came together in a virtual setting to attend the Tri Ute Climate Adaptation Workshop, the first in a series of four climate adaptation workshops funded by the BIA Tribal Climate Resilience Program.
Adaptation Framework Co-developed by CSP Senior Scientist Shelley Crausbay Highlighted in Special Section of High-Impact Journal "BioScience"
The work of NC CASC PI and CSP senior scientist Shelley Crausbay and colleagues is currently featured in a special issue of the high-impact journal BioScience.
USGCRP to Hold Virtual Stakeholder Engagement Workshops to Get Input on NCA5 report
The U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) and the authors of the Fifth National Climate Assessment (NCA5) are hosting a series of virtual public engagement workshops to inform development of this federal climate report. These workshops are free and open to the public.
Christy Miller Hesed publishes new paper, "Using cultural consensus analysis to measure diversity in social-ecological knowledge for inclusive climate adaptation planning"
NC CASC Research Associate Christy Miller Hesed has published a new paper in the American Meteorological Society Journals, "Using cultural consensus analysis to measure diversity in social-ecological knowledge for inclusive climate adaptation planning."
James Rattling Leaf to Present at Geo for Good Annual Conference
The Geo for Good Summit is an annual conference geared toward nonprofits, scientists, government agencies and other change-makers who want to leverage mapping tools and technology for positive impact in the world.
Spotlight: Interactive and Easy to Use R-Shiny Apps
Read about the R-shiny apps developed by NC CASC's Dr. Imtiaz Rangwala and graduate student, Prasad Thota on our Spotlight Stories page.
Western Water Assessment Webinar: What’s up with the weather? A summer of extremes in the Intermountain West, featuring Seth Arens
Summer 2021 was a year of extreme weather events in the Intermountain West. Drought conditions that were building since 2019 covered vast areas of the region with extreme and exceptional drought.
NW CASC Webinar: Tribal Experiences in Collaborative Fire Management in the Northwest
Our partners at the NW CASC are hosting a webinar, "Tribal Experiences in Collaborative Fire Management in the Northwest".
ESA Traditional Ecological Knowledge Section to Host Webinar Series on the Role of TEK in Building Circular Economies and Influencing Federal Land Tenure Policy Changes on Reservations
The ESA Traditional Ecological Knowledge Section will be hosting a webinar series to facilitate a virtual space to welcome and hear from Indigenous voices who work to help sustain and nurture TEK within their communities.
NC-CASC Consortium Partner WCS Publishes New Paper on Criteria for Evaluating Adaptation Success for Biodiversity and Natural Resource Conservation
A new study in Environmental Science & Policy, "Flexible and comprehensive criteria for evaluating climate change adaptation success for biodiversity and natural resource conservation", co-authored by scientists at the Wildlife Conservation Society (@WCSAdapts), a North Central CASC Consortium Partner, presents an adaptation "scorecard" for evaluating outcomes for climate-informed conservation and natural resource management projects.
NC CASC Consortium Partner Dr. Molly Cross Quoted in German News Outlet Covering COP26
NC CASC Consortium Partner Dr. Molly Cross, Wildlife Conservation Society, was quoted in a German news outlet covering COP26.
NC CASC September/October 2021 Newsletter Now Online
The September/October 2021 issue of the NC CASC newsletter, along with previous editions, is now available on our website.
USGS Announces Climate Adaptation Scientists of Tomorrow (CAST) Program Undergraduate Research Experience
The mission of the U.S. Geological Survey Climate Adaptation Science Centers is to deliver science to help fish, wildlife, water, land, and people adapt to a changing climate. We work in partnership with climate experts at universities, state and federal agencies, Tribal governments, and non-profit organizations.
Spotlight: US Climate Resilience Toolkit adds Northern Great Plains Section
Read the Spotlight Section on our website to find more about the addition of the Northern Great Plains Region to the US Climate Resilience Toolkit.
Stefan Tangen and Brian Miller Present at Tribal Climate Adaptation Planning Workshop
NC CASC Tribal Resilience Liaison, Stefan Tangen and USGS Research Ecologist, Brian Miller provided presentations and facilitated sessions at a workshop from October 18-21, 2021 on Tribal Climate Adaptation Planning.
November NC CASC Tribal Climate Newsletter Now Online
Our November Tribal Climate Newsletter is now available online.
NC CASC Workshop: Climate Data 101 in Python
Are you a resource manager or scientist interested in learning how to work with climate data in Python?
New Funding Opportunity for Tribal Climate Resilience Liaisons at the CASCs
The BIA Tribal Climate Resilience Program is pleased to announce the availability of funding to support the hiring of Tribal Climate Resilience Liaisons in the North Central, Midwest and Northeast/Southeast regions of the DOI Climate Adaptation Science Centers (CASCs) through the BIA's Tribal Resilience Program.
Read Brian Miller's Paper on Agent-Environment Feedbacks
A new paper by Brian Miller, USGS and NC CASC Research Ecologist, is now available online in the Landscape Ecology journal.
James Rattling Leaf to Speak at Alliances for Climate Action: Virtual Forum Series
James Rattling Leaf will be speaking at an upcoming talk as part of the Alliances for Climate Action: Virtual Forum Series, sponsored by the Resilient Nation Partnership Network, on October 20th from 12-2pm ET.
Brian Miller to Speak at Upcoming Talks at UNC and The Wildlife Society’s Annual Conference
NC CASC and USGS Research Ecologist, Brian Miller, will be speaking at two upcoming events. The first, on October 26th, will be to a graduate seminar in ecology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where Brian will present his background and current work. The second will be at The Wildlife Society’s Annual Conference on November 3rd.
Spotlight: Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Hosts Climate Change Summit in September
Read a summary of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Climate Change Summit held in September in the Spotlight Section on our website.
Read Molly Cross's Blog Post in Current Conservation
NC CASC Consortium Partner Dr. Molly Cross, Wildlife Conservation Society, published a piece in the online magazine, Current Conservation, titled "Adapting the what, when, where, why and who of nature conservation to be more effective in a changing climate."
Read the Latest Tribal Climate Newsletter
Read the October 2021 edition of the NC CASC Tribal Climate Newsletter.
Read the latest NC CASC publications
Read the latest NC CASC publications.
Read New Publication on the Resilience of Native Amphibian Communities
A new paper, "Resilience of native amphibian communities following catastrophic drought: Evidence from a decade of regional-scale monitoring," was recently published in Biological Conservation journal and was co-authored by NC CASC postdoc, Wynne Moss.
NC CASC Welcomes Data Scientist, Ty Tuff
Dr. Ty Tuff is our friendly neighborhood data scientist. He is based in Earth Lab’s Analytics Hub where he helps members and affiliates of the lab process, analyze, and publish their hard-won data.
NC CASC Welcomes Conservations Science Partners Postdoctoral Scientist, Wynne Moss
Wynne is an ecologist and conservation biologist interested in how wild populations respond to environmental stressors, including land use transformation, climate change, and infectious disease.
NC CASC PI Shelley Crausbay to Present in NPS RAD Webinar on Bandelier NM TOMORROW!
An assumption of stationarity—i.e. “the idea that natural systems fluctuate within an unchanging envelope of variability”—underlies traditional conservation and natural resource management. This assumption is expressed in widespread reliance on ecological baselines to guide protection, restoration, and other management actions.
Watch the latest Tribal Drought Webinar
The fourth in a series of Tribal Drought Webinars, hosted by NC CASC’s Tribal Resilience Liaison, Stefan Tangen, was held on September 30th and is now available to watch on YouTube.
Welcome to the New Midwest CASC Host and Consortium!
The Midwest CASC is the ninth and final member to the CASC network. It will be hosted at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities that will lead a consortium of universities and natural resource organizations that are dedicated to advancing science in response to climate change in the Midwest.
James Rattling Leaf and Brian Miller to Participate in Rising Voices Workshop
NC CASC’s consultant to the Great Plains Tribal Water Alliance, James Rattling Leaf, and Research Ecologist, Brian Miller are scheduled to participate in the virtual 9th Annual Rising Voices Workshop from September 29th- October 1st.
Brian Miller to Participate in IPBES Review of Draft Nature Futures Framework
USGS and NC CASC Research Ecologist, Brian Miller, will participate in the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) review of the draft Nature Futures Framework.
New Project on Management Decisions for Amphibians Fully Open
A new NC CASC-funded project, led by PI Amanda Kissel, is now fully open. The project, “A Framework for Guiding Management Decisions for Amphibians in an Uncertain Future,” will determine which amphibians in the North Central region of the U.S. are at the greatest risk from the effects of climate change.
NC CASC-USGS team members publish new paper, "Engaging with stakeholders to produce actionable science: a framework and guidance"
NC CASC-USGS team members Aparna Bamzai-Dodson, Amanda Cravens, Alisa Wade, and Renee McPherson (SC CASC) have published a new paper, "Engaging with stakeholders to produce actionable science: a framework and guidance" in Weather, Climate, and Society.
James Rattling Leaf Helps Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Host Climate Change Summit, Several NC CASC Staff Presented
NC CASC’s consultant to the Great Plains Tribal Water Alliance, James Rattling Leaf, helped the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe organize and host a two-day Climate Change Summit on September 9-10th in Bismarck, North Dakota.
Upcoming NCASC Webinar: Setting Habitat Protection and Restoration Priorities in a Warming World: Lessons From Wyoming
Join the National CASC for an upcoming webinar, “Setting Habitat Protection and Restoration Priorities in a Warming World: Lessons From Wyoming,” presented by Paul Dey and NC CASC CP Molly Cross at the Wildlife Conservation Society.
Imtiaz Rangwala Speaks at CIRES and DRI Webinar on Drought Tools
NC CASC’s Climate Science Lead, Imtiaz Rangwala, and his partners at the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder (CIRES) and Desert Research Institute (DRI) discussed different drought tools for drought early warning and research on a webinar organized by NIDIS.
DOI Signs a Major Tribal Water Compact
On Friday, September 17th, the Department of the Interior (DOI) signed off on a major tribal water rights compact with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of Montana. The compact will work to improve tribal water infrastructure and is the largest tribal water rights settlement in history by total federal cost.
NC CASC Webinar Series: "Forest impacts on snow water resources: management and climate adaptation possibilities"
Most of the snow water resources that feed North America’s large rivers originate from forested land. Forest canopies greatly affect the snow on the ground. Forest cover intercepts snowfall that subsequently sublimates back to the atmosphere – a water resource that is never realized.
NC CASC's Edwards, Rangwala, Rattling Leaf, Tangen Contribute to Launch of U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit's New Section for the Northern Great Plains Region
In September 2021, the U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit announced the publication of a new Northern Great Plains Region section. The section features narratives, tools, case studies, and reports related to the impacts of climate change across the Northern Great Plains and information on how people can build resilience to them.
Status of Tribes and Climate Change (STACC) Report
The Status of Tribes and Climate Change (STACC) Report seeks to uplift and honor the voices of Indigenous peoples across the U.S. to increase understanding of Tribal lifeways, cultures, and worldviews, the climate change impacts Tribes are experiencing, the solutions they are implementing, and ways that all of us can support Tribes in adapting to our changing world.
James Rattling Leaf Helps Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Host Climate Change Summit
NC CASC’s consultant to the Great Plains Tribal Water Alliance, James Rattling Leaf, helped the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe organize and host a two-day Climate Change Summit on September 9-10th in Bismarck, North Dakota.
NC CASC Publication on Drought Decision Making Highlighted by NCASC News Announcement
A recent news announcement by the National CASC highlighted a publication funded by the NC CASC, "A typology of drought decision making: Synthesizing across cases to understand drought preparedness and response actions."
NC CASC Welcomes New Communications Specialist, Ulyana Horodyskyj
The NC CASC welcomes our new Communications Specialist, Ulyana Horodyskyj. Ulyana is a geologist/glaciologist/climate change expert with extensive experience in science communication, as well as previous experience as a research associate.
Read the Latest NC CASC Tribal Climate Newsletter
Read the September edition of the NC CASC Tribal Climate Newsletter.
Aparna Bamzai-Dodson to Speak at Upcoming INSTAAR Seminar
NC CASC USGS Deputy Director, Aparna Bamzai-Dodson, is scheduled to give an upcoming seminar at the Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research (INSTAAR) on September 20th at 12:00pm MT.
Read the latest NC CASC publications
Read the latest NC CASC publications.
James Rattling Leaf to Speak at 2021 RNPN Annual Forum
James Rattling Leaf is scheduled to speak at the 2021 Resilient Nation Partnership Network (RNPN) Annual Forum: Alliances for Climate Action.
New Project on High-Mountain Snowpack Now Open
A new project, “Estimating future high-mountain snowpack to inform terrestrial and aquatic species status assessments, recovery plans, and monitoring” led by PI Ben Livneh at CU Boulder, and co-led by Jennifer Balch at the NC CASC is now fully open.
James Rattling Leaf Sr to Speak at USGS National Imagery Summit
NC CASC's James Rattling Leaf will be speaking at USGS' National Imagery Summit: Landsat and Society, which will be held from August 31st to September 2nd.
Reminder! Upcoming JSC Listening Session on Grasslands
The NC CASC and USDA Northern Plains Climate Hub will hold a series of topic-based listening sessions with the Joint Stakeholder Committee (JSC) and their team members. The JSC provides guidance, coordination, and collaboration to these two unique but complementary entities and helps facilitate communication and awareness for federally funded climate research.
Lisa Dilling Quoted in AP Article on Greely's Water Supply
NC CASC’s Adaptation Co-lead, Lisa Dilling, was quoted in an August article by AP about Greely, Colorado’s water supply.
New article by Brian Miller, "Divergent, plausible, and relevant climate futures for near- and long-term resource planning" now available online
A new article by USGS Research Ecologist and NC CASC partner, Brian Miller, is now available online: "Divergent, plausible, and relevant climate futures for near- and long-term resource planning"
James Rattling Leaf to Moderate Workshop at FOSS4G
James Rattling Leaf will moderate a workshop at the FOSS4G (Free and Open Source for Geospace) 2021 Annual International Gathering, "Building Relational & Effective Partnerships with Indigenous Communities" on September 28.
Joint Fire Science Program Open Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs)
The Joint Fire Science Program has posted Open Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs).
Northern Great Plains 2022 Request for Proposals
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is soliciting proposals to conserve and restore grasslands and wildlife species in the Northern Great Plains.
NC CASC Welcomes Elsa Culler
Elsa Culler has joined the NC CASC as an Education Trainer. Elsa is a member of Earth Lab at CU Boulder and an instructor for the Earth Data Analytics - Foundations Professional Certificate.
Laura Edwards Featured in South Dakota Public Broadcasting’s, “The Moment”
NC CASC PI, Laura Edwards at South Dakota State University, was featured in the South Dakota Public Broadcasting (SDPB) radio show, “The Moment,” on July 29th.
Join us for the next ESA Webinar
Join us for the next Ecological Society of America (ESA) webinar, "Integrating Western Science Into Indigenous Knowledge Processes" on August 20th at 12:00pm EST.
GEO Releases its First Indigenous Alliance 2020 Report
The Group on Earth Observations (GEO) released its first Indigenous Alliance 2020 Report following the 2020 Indigenous Summit, held on December 5th-7th, which promoted and discussed Indigenous-led innovation in earth observations.
Join us for the July Tribal Climate Webinar
Join us for the next Tribal Climate Webinar on July 27th at 10:00am MT.
Read the Latest Tribal Climate Newsletter
Read the July 2021 edition of the Tribal Climate Newsletter.
NC CASC Webinar Series: Understanding and projection of space-time variability of summer hydroclimate and ecology in the United States
The southeast Prairie Pothole Region (SEPPR) is an important habitat in the northern Great Plains with millions of wetlands used by waterfowl, pheasants, deer, and many unique species that cannot be found elsewhere in the regional landscape. The region is highly sensitive to variations in climate, and it is projected to face climate changes in the future.
Imtiaz Rangwala's Work Featured in Climate Toolbox Case Study
NC CASC Climate Science Lead, Imtiaz Rangwala, and his work for the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) on species status assessment was included in Climate Toolbox’s Case Studies on their website. The case study shows how Imtiaz uses the Climate Toolbox to gather data in order to help FWS assess the potential impact of future climate on different species.
Fireworks Article by Phil Higuera and Jennifer Balch Picked Up by Multiple Media Outlets
NC CASC University Director, Jennifer Balch, and Consortium Partner, Phil Higuera at the University of Montana, co-authored an article that was featured in The Conversation on June 30th. The article, “Skip the fireworks this record-dry 4th of July, over 150 wildfire scientists urge the US West,” discussed record-dry levels and extreme fire danger that the US West currently faces and the dangers of fireworks on the 4th of July.
New Invasive Species Project Open at the NC CASC
A new project under PI Chelsea Nagy will focus on integrating the research and management of invasive species, climate change, and fire.
Read Jennifer Balch's Fireworks Op-ed in The Hill
NC CASC University Director, Jennifer Balch, wrote an op-ed that was featured in The Hill before the 4th of July. The piece urges people to avoid fireworks for July 4th celebrations this year in the Western US, due to the unprecedented drought and looming wildfire season.
New Publications Supported by the NC CASC
Check out the list of recent publications that were supported by the NC CASC.
NC CASC Hiring a Communications Specialist!
The North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center (NC CASC) invites applications for a part-time Communications Specialist. This position will work closely with the NC CASC team to develop communication products that tell engaging stories about the science, education and outreach activities we do to help natural and cultural resource managers adapt to a changing world.
Register for our next Climate Data 101 in Python Workshop
Are you a resource manager or researcher interested in learning how to work with climate data in Python? If so, the North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center and Conservation Science Partners invite you to register for a Climate Data 101 in Python Workshop.
Jennifer Balch Quoted in AP Article on Fireworks
NC CASC University Director, Jennifer Balch, was quoted in a recent AP article on recent cautions in the West on firework use before July 4th celebrations amid a historic drought.
New Paper: Rapid assessment to facilitate climate-informed conservation and nature-based solutions
A new article from the Wildlife Conservation Society (@WCSAdapts), a North Central CASC Consortium Partner, and co-authored by PI Molly Cross, introduces a rapid assessment framework to make nature conservation more resilient to climate
Upcoming ESA Webinar: Guidelines for the Use of Traditional Knowledges
Join the Ecological Society of America (ESA) for their upcoming webinar on July 23rd at 12:00pm EST, "Guidelines for the Use of Traditional Knowledges."
Join us for the next Joint Stakeholder Committee (JSC) Listening Session on Grasslands
The NC CASC and USDA Northern Plains Climate Hub will hold a series of topic-based listening sessions with the Joint Stakeholder Committee (JSC) and their team members. The JSC provides guidance, coordination, and collaboration to these two unique but complementary entities and helps facilitate communication and awareness for federally funded climate research.
NC CASC Webinar Series: Resist-Accept-Direct (RAD) Framework for Modern Natural Resource Management and Action
Strong climate trends and other modern human drivers effectively place ecosystems in new contexts with new challenges for managers and society. Mounting costs of restoring past conditions or even “holding the line” to preserve current conditions are increasingly likened to paddling upstream.
Join ITEP for a Virtual Climate Change Planning Course for Tribes
Join the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) for the virtual course, "Introduction to Climate Change Adaptation Planning (Western Region)," from August 9th-13th.
Imtiaz Rangwala Quoted in The Guardian on Recent Heat Wave
Imtiaz Rangwala, the NC CASC’s Climate Science Lead, was quoted in an article in The Guardian, “Record-shattering heat wave bakes Western US, raising drought and fire concerns,” on June 18th.
Read Phil Higuera's Article on Rocky Mountain Wildfires
NC CASC Consortium Partner and PI Phil Higuera, at the University of Montana, recently wrote an article for The Conversation, “Rocky Mountain forests are burning more now than any time in the past 2,000 years.”
Check out USGS' Land Treatment Exploration Tool
A new USGS tool, the "Land Treatment Exploration Tool" was just released as a part of a NC CASC-affiliated project, "Improving the Success of Post-Fire Adaptive Management Strategies in Sagebrush Steppe."
Read the Latest Tribal Climate Newsletter
Read the June 2021 edition of the Tribal Climate Newsletter.
Three New Projects Fully Open at NC CASC
Three new projects, all with USGS PI's, are now up and running at the NC CASC. Information about each project can be viewed below.
Paper Co-Authored by Imtiaz Rangwala Receives SWCS Award
A paper co-authored by the NC CASC’s Climate Science Lead, Imtiaz Rangwala, was named the 2021 recipient of the Journal of Soil and Water Conservation Editor’s Choice Award by the Soil and Water Conservation Society.
Watch the Latest Tribal Webinar
Watch the latest tribal webinar, "Tribal Drought Conditions and Actions in the North Central," which discusses the updates and projections on drought conditions in the Missouri River Basin focused on Tribal lands.
New Paper Published on "Campfire Conversations" at Society for Range Management Annual Meeting
A new paper was published that discusses the lessons learned from the Campfire Conversations at the 2020 Annual Meeting for the Society for Range Management.
NC CASC Webinar Series: "Integrating Climate Change Projections with Breeding Waterfowl Habitat Models"
The Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) is recognized as one of the most productive areas for waterfowl in North America and is used by an estimated 50–80 % of the continent’s breeding duck population. The ongoing acquisition program of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wildlife Refuge System has conserved approximately 1.3 million hectares of critical breeding-waterfowl habitat.
NC CASC Tribal Outreach Featured in CIRES "Spheres" Magazine
The NC CASC's Tribal Climate Leaders Program (TCLP) was featured in the 2021 Edition of CIRES annual magazine, "Spheres."
Read New Publications on Great Plains and Sagebrush-Steppe Communities
Three new papers, all funded by the NC CASC, are published and available online.
Join NC3 for Upcoming Climate Change Virtual Conference
Join the North Central Climate Collaborative (NC3) for their upcoming virtual conference, Advanced Climate Change Topics: North Central Climate 201 from June 8th-10th.
Upcoming ITEP Film Screening and Panel Discussion (Tuesday, June 1): Inhabitants - An Indigenous Perspective
We hope the shift into spring is bringing each of you so much wellness. Please join the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals and the Desert Research Institute for an upcoming film screening and panel discussion, featuring the documentary, Inhabitants: An Indigenous Perspective.
Read the May Edition of the Tribal Climate Newsletter
Read the May 2021 Edition of the Tribal Climate Newsletter.
New Paper Published on Drought in the Upper Missouri Headwaters
A new paper was recently published in the Journal of Weather, Climate, and Society, "Integrating Ecological Impacts: Perspectives on Drought in the Upper Missouri Headwaters, Montana, United States."
Upcoming GWC Webinar Featuring Deb Haaland and Joe Neguse
The Getches-Wilkinson Center at CU Law is hosting the webinar, "Land, Water, and People: The Natural Resource Priorities of the Biden Administration," on May 13th from 5:00-6:15pm MDT as part of their webinar series, "The Climate Justice Lens is Here to Stay."
Join us in welcoming our new summer graduate research assistants!
The NC CASC is proud to announce our four new summer graduate research assistants, who will be helping NC CASC researchers with summer projects.
James Rattling Leaf, Sr., to Participate at InterTribal Buffalo Council’s 2021 Annual Membership Meeting
James Rattling Leaf, Sr., will participate in the panel, “Planning for Drought and Resilience to Climate Change,” at the InterTribal Buffalo Council’s (ITBC) 2021 Annual Membership Meeting on June 4th.
James Rattling Leaf, Sr., to Participate at American Water Resources Association Summer Conference
James Rattling Leaf, Sr., will participate in the panel, “Collaborative Approaches to the Use of Earth Observations in Indigenous Communities,” at the American Water Resources Association 2021 Virtual Summer Conference from July 19th-21st.
Laura Edwards Featured in South Dakota State University Extension Drought Hour
On April 19th, NC CASC Consortium Partner, Laura Edwards, was featured in the South Dakota State University Extension Drought Hour.
NC CASC Webinar Series: "Grass-Cast: A grassland productivity forecast"
The Grassland Productivity Forecast or “Grass-Cast” uses over 30 years of historical data on weather and vegetation growth—combined with satellite NDVI data and seasonal precipitation scenarios—to predict if rangelands in individual ~6 mile x 6 mile areas are likely to produce above-normal, near-normal, or below-normal amounts of vegetation.
NW CASC 2020 Ecological Transformation Deep Dive Products Available Online
The NW CASC organizes an annual Ecological Transformation Deep Dive to identify emerging climate risks. The Deep Dive convenes researchers, scientists, and students to assess the state of knowledge and practice associated with managing that risk.
Three Centers Retreat Biannual Meeting Recap
On Wednesday, March 17, the leadership teams of the North Central CASC, NOAA's Western Water Assessment, and USDA Northern Plains Climate Hub met virtually for their bi-annual retreat.
Brian Miller to Present at IALE North America Annual Meeting
USGS Research Ecologist Brian Miller will give a conference presentation on new software developments that facilitate modeling interactions between wildlife and their environment.
Stefan Tangen to Participate on Panel in NPS Webinar: Navigating the Climate Adaptation Science Centers: A National Network of Climate Adaptation Support for Native Nations
From the expansion of invasive species to wildfire, from drought to sea-level rise, climate change creates new and evolving challenges for ecosystems across the nation. The USGS Climate Adaptation Science Centers (CASCs) are a partnership-driven program that teams scientific researchers with natural and cultural resource managers and local communities to help fish, wildlife, waters, and lands across the country adapt to changing conditions.
WCS Climate Adaptation Fund Releases New Call for Proposals
NC-CASC Consortium Partner Wildlife Conservation Society has released a call for proposals for the Climate Adaptation Fund , which supports the implementation of on-the-ground conservation actions designed to help wildlife and ecosystems adapt to a changing climate.
James Rattling Leaf, Sr., to give presentation at the Boulder Labs Diversity Council
On April 21st, James Rattling Leaf Sr., will give a presentation titled, “Engaging with Native American Communities: Mitakuye Oyasin” at the Boulder Labs Diversity Council.
Read the April Edition of the Tribal Climate Newsletter
Read the April edition of the Tribal Climate Newsletter.
New Paper: The impact of production network economies on spatially-contiguous conservation—Theoretical model with evidence from the U.S. Prairie Pothole Region
A paper funded by the NC CASC was recently published in the Journal of Environmental Economics and Management titled, "The impact of production network economies on spatially-contiguous conservation—Theoretical model with evidence from the U.S. Prairie Pothole Region."
Watch Stefan Tangen’s Latest Webinar Presentation, “Building Tribal Community Resilience: The Role of Nonprofits”
On March 31st, Stefan Tangen and Dr. Valerie A. Small, the National Program Director at Trees, Water, and People, gave the webinar presentation, “Building Tribal Community Resilience: The Role of Nonprofits”.
Molly Cross Testifies at Hearing of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Parks, Forests, and Public Lands
NC CASC Consortium Partner, Molly Cross, testified on a March 23rd, 2021 hearing of the House and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Parks, Forests, and Public Lands, on the role of federal programs in supporting natural climate solutions in the U.S.
New Multi-Agency Report on Sagebrush Conservation Features Two Members of the NC CASC
USGS released a new multi-agency report on sagebrush, "Sagebrush Conservation Strategy—Challenges to Sagebrush Conservation". Robin O'Malley (retired, NC CASC), Nicole DeCrappeo (NW/NC CASCs), and Stephen Jackson (SW/SC CASCs) were the co-conveners for the Chapter L Climate Adaptation writing team.
Aparna Bamzai-Dodson Featured on USGS Instagram
USGS Deputy Director, Aparna Bamzai-Dodson, was featured on one of USGS’ Instagram accounts, @usgs_wild, where her position at the NC CASC and PhD were highlighted.
Watch Our Latest Webinar on YouTube
The presentation recording from our latest webinar, "Our Changing Fire Regimes" on March 11th was posted to YouTube.
NC CASC Webinar Series: "Demographic uncertainty and disease risk drive climate-informed mountain goat management" Thursday, April 8th, 2021
Concerns about mountain goats have arisen in many areas in recent years. Climate change may negatively affect this alpine ungulate, and recent evidence indicates that mountain goats harbor respiratory pathogens associated with pneumonia epidemics in bighorn sheep.
Phil Higuera gives talk, “Colorado’s Record-Setting 2020 Fire Season in the Context of the Past 6000 Years”
On March 4th, PI Phil Higuera at the University of Montana, gave a talk for the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies “Naturalists Nights” program called, “Colorado’s Record-Setting 2020 Fire Season in the Context of the Past 6000 Years.”
NC CASC Seeks Graduate Assistants for Summer 2021
The NC CASC is looking to hire three Graduate Research Assistants for summer 2021: Climate Data, Tools and Science Support Summer 2021 Graduate Research Assistant Grasslands Synthesis Summer 2021 Graduate Research Assistant Traditional Knowledge Synthesis Summer 2021 Graduate Research Assistant
Molly Cross Finished FY18 Project on Species of Conservation Concern Planning
NC CASC PI Molly Cross at the Wildlife Conservation Society finished her fiscal year 2018 project, “Enabling Climate-Informed Planning and Decision about Species of Conservation Concern in the North Central Region: Phase 2.
Resource Stewardship Strategy (RSS) for Wind Cave National Park Published
The Resource Stewardship Strategy (RSS) for Wind Cave National Park has just been published. It acknowledges the NC CASC partnership by Brian Miller, Max Joseph, Travis Williams, and Imtiaz Rangwala in supporting the effort.
New Paper: Challenges to the Reforestation Pipeline in the United States
NC CASC Research Scientist, Kimberley Davis at the University of Montana, is listed as a co-author on a recent publication, "Challenges to the Reforestation Pipeline in the United States," which was published in the Frontiers in Forests and Global Change journal.
NC CASC Webinar Series: "Our Changing Fire Regimes" March 11th, 2021
There are three ingredients needed for fire: fuel to burn, hot & dry conditions, and an ignition source. People are changing all three. The number of wildfires and the area burned has increased over the past several decades, in western U.S. forests by 1500%.
Read the Latest Tribal Climate Newsletter
The March 2021 edition of the Tribal Climate Newsletter has been released.
New paper: R-R-T (resistance-resilience-transformation) typology reveals differential conservation approaches across ecosystems and time
NC CASC' Molly Cross is a co-author on a recently published paper, "R-R-T (resistance-resilience-transformation) typology reveals differential conservation approaches across ecosystems and time" in the Nature Journal.
New Paper by WCS on Climate Adaptation Practice in the US
North Central CASC Consortium Partner, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), has published a new analysis of the ways that conservation practitioners in the U.S. are embracing climate change in their work.
James Rattling Leaf, Sr. featured in Bay Area Environmental Research Institute's "Connecting Tribal Lands with NASA Remote Sensing Tools" podcast
James Rattling Leaf, Sr. was recently featured in the podcast, "Connecting Tribal Lands with NASA Remote Sensing Tools", hosted by the Bay Area Environmental Research Institute.
Announcement of USGS’ first Wildland Fire Science Strategic Plan
We are very pleased to announce that USGS’ first Wildland Fire Science Strategic Plan (Strategic Plan) has been published and is now available.
NC CASC Partner, Kim Davis, University of Montana, to Present in NCASC webinar: "Managing Post-Fire, Climate-Induced Vegetation Transitions"
Please join us on, Thursday, March 11 at 3:00 pm ET for the NCASC webinar: "Managing Post-Fire, Climate-Induced Vegetation Transitions."
James Rattling Leaf, Sr. featured in Warm Regards podcast episode, "Indigenous Climate Knowledge and Data Sovereignty"
James Rattling Leaf, Sr., was featured in the February 22nd episode of Warm Regards, "Indigenous Climate Knowledge and Data Sovereignty," where he discussed traditional ecological knowledges and the Indigenous relationship with climate and environmental data.
James Rattling Leaf Sr., to speak at Posner Center Event, “Climate Justice and Indigenous Rights”
James Rattling Leaf, Sr., will be speaking at the Posner Center event, "Climate Justice and Indigenous Rights" on February 25th from 11am-12:30pm.
University of Montana Partners Hold "Managing Post-fire Vegetation Under Climate Change" Workshop
NC CASC consortium partners, Phil Higuera and Kim Davis, University of Montana, held a workshop, "Managing Post-fire Vegetation Under Climate Change" on February 3-4, 2021 for land managers in the North Central region.
CU Professor, Regents Testify for In-state Tuition for American Indian Students with Colorado Ties
A CU professor, two regents, and alumni testified before the Colorado Senate Education Committee for a bill that would grant in-state tuition to members of American Indian nations with historical ties to Colorado.
Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and Informational Webinar
The Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) Climate Change Program is hosting an informational webinar on Tuesday, March 2.
Interior Announces Series of Tribal Consultations in Recognition of the Importance of Nation-to-Nation Relationship
The Department of the Interior announced today that it will host initial consultations with Tribal leaders next month. In addition to honoring and strengthening the nation-to-nation relationship, these steps will help ensure that future White House and Interior efforts at addressing the four converging crises of our time – COVID-19, economic security, racial justice and climate change – are inclusive of Tribal Nations’ priorities and recommendations.
Western Water Assessment Webinar: Snowpack Monitoring in the Rocky Mountain West Webinar, Part 1: Observations
Join Western Water Assessment for Part 1 of a two-part webinar in which we share Snowpack Monitoring in the Rocky Mountain West: A User Guide.
Release of Climate Change Report and Habitat Management Plan from Partnership Between Wildlife Conservation Society and Wyoming Game and Fish
A climate change workshop and other collaborative activities between Molly Cross, at the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), and Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD), which was funded by the NC CASC, culminated in the release of two published plans.
Watch Our Latest Webinar on YouTube
A recording of our latest webinar, "Drought, Wildfire, and Climate Change: From Scenarios to Real Life through the Eyes of a Scientist-Land Manager," and presented by Koren R. Nydick can be viewed on YouTube.
Climate Futures Toolbox Featured in USGS Project Spotlight
The Climate Futures Toolbox (CFT) was featured in the latest USGS Project Spotlight online. The NC CASC partnered with the National Park Service to create the CFT, a user-friendly software program designed to make climate data more accessible for park managers.
Read the Latest Tribal Climate Newsletter
Read the February 2021 edition of the Tribal Climate Newsletter.
Christy Miller Hesed to Receive Awards
NC CASC Postdoc Christy Miller Hesed and her colleagues - Michael Paolisso, Elizabeth Van Dolah, and Katherine Johnson - are receiving two awards for their work on the Deal Island Peninsula Partnership at the Society for Applied Anthropology conference this March.
Watch Anthony Ciocco’s Recent Webinar on Tribal Climate and Wildlife Management
Anthony Ciocco, NC CASC’s BIA Pathways Program Intern, presented the webinar, “Conceptual Models for Integration of Tribal Culture with Tribal Wildlife Management” in January.
James Rattling Leaf, Sr. to Present in Two Upcoming Webinars
James Rattling Leaf, Sr. will be presenting in two upcoming webinars.
New Paper: Human activities and weather drive contact rates of wintering elk
A new paper, "Human activities and weather drive contact rates of wintering elk" was recently published in the Journal of Applied Ecology. NC CASC's Geneva Chong co-authored the paper and the project was partially funded by the NC CASC.
New Paper: Climate resilient management in response to flash droughts in US Northern Great Plains
A new paper, "Climate resilient management in response to flash droughts in the US Northern Great Plains", funded by the NC CASC, has been published in the journal Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability by PI Dennis S Ojima.
NC CASC Webinar Series: "Drought, Wildfire, and Climate Change: From Scenarios to Real Life through the Eyes of a Scientist-Land Manager"
Scenarios are a great tool to examine possible climate futures, play out potential consequences, and identify preemptive actions to prepare for and adapt to changes.
New Publications on Fire and Rangelands and Pastures
Two new papers funded by the NC CASC were recently published.
New FY20 Project, now live, Integrates Indigenous Knowledge and Paleoperspectives to Inform Climate Change Adaptation
NC CASC PI Shelley Crausbay will work directly with the Ute Mountain Ute decision-makers to combine traditional ecological knowledge with paleo-ecological records to explore past vegetation changes relevant to the stakeholder community.
Amanda Cravens and Robin O’Malley Co-Authors on Recent NPS Report
A new report titled Resist-Accept-Direct (RAD)—A Framework for the 21st-century Natural Resource Manager was recently published in the National Park Service Natural Resource Report series.
The November/December 2020 issue of our newsletter is available online
The November/December 2020 issue of the NC CASC newsletter is available online.
Article in Nature: How to include Indigenous researchers and their knowledge
An article, "How to include Indigenous researchers and their knowledge" was published by Nature on January 12th.
Shelley Crausbay Featured Speaker in Upcoming Ecological Drought Webinar Series
A four-part Ecological Drought National Webinar Series, hosted by NIDIS, USGS, and the NC CASC is taking place in February and March 2021. Shelley Crausbay, Conservation Science Partners and NC CASC, is speaking at the first of four webinars.
James Rattling Leaf, Sr. Featured as Panelist at American Meteorological Survey 101st Annual Meeting
James Rattling Leaf, Sr. will be a panelist in the American Meteorological Survey (AMS) 101st Annual Meeting, which is taking place January 10-15th.
Read the Latest Tribal Climate Newsletter
The January 2021 edition of the Tribal Climate Newsletter was released.
James Rattling Leaf, Robin O’Malley & Chad McNutt receive Rising Voices project funding award
Congratulations to James Rattling Leaf, Robin O’Malley and Chad McNutt who have been awarded seed funding from Rising Voices for their project "Enabling Tribal Data Sovereignty: Supporting Great Plains and Northern Rockies Tribes Data Needs".
U.S. Representative Debra Haaland (Laguna Pueblo) added as keynote speaker to ATNI's National Tribal Leadership Climate Change Summit Session II: Tribal Climate Resiliency
Please join us for the next NC CASC webinar, "Revised Thinking on Adaptation: Will We be Less Successful than Assumed?"
In my early days of assessing climate change vulnerability and adaptation, I was relatively optimistic about the ability of the United States to adapt its “managed systems” to the projected climate change impacts. Managed systems have active human involvement such as management of coasts abutting settlements, water supplies, and flood management.
Read the Latest Tribal Climate Newsletter
The December 2020 edition of the Tribal Climate Newsletter is released.
Phil Higuera Gives Wildfire Talk at National Academies of Science Board in Agriculture and Natural Resources Public Session
On December 8th, NC CASC PI Phil Higuera gave an overview talk, “Past and Future Ecological Effects of Wildfire” in a 90-minute opening session of the National Academies of Science (NAS) Board on Agriculture and Natural Resources Public Session.
New Drought Portal Highlighted at AGU's 2020 Press Briefing
During a press briefing for AGU 2020, Kelsey Satalino from CIRES/NIDIS highlighted the National Integrated Drought Information System's (NIDIS) Drought Portal (drought.gov).
James Rattling Leaf, Sr. discusses tribal issues with regard to natural hazards and climate change in the "2020 Lancet Countdown: Tracking Progress on Health and Climate Change" panel presentation
The 2020 Lancet Countdown: Tracking Progress on Health and Climate Change is an international research collaboration that monitors and reports annually on the relationship between health and climate, and its implications for national governments.
Earth Lab/USGS Data Science & Remote Sensing Internship
Earth Lab and the USGS are hiring a CU Boulder undergraduate Data Science & Remote Sensing Intern. The intern will work for the duration of the Spring 2021 semester (10-13 hours/week) and Summer 2021 (20-30 hours week) on a project delineating watersheds for small waterbodies with USGS 3DEP lidar data in Python.
James Rattling Leaf Sr., to Speak at the GEO Indigenous Summit 2020
Group on Earth Observations (GEO) is holding the GEO Indigenous Summit 2020 virtually from December 7-9th. James Rattling Leaf Sr. will be speaking during the Opening Ceremony, and is moderating the COVID-19 and Education/Intergenerational Knowledge Transfer panels.
EROS Offers Two Postdoctoral Land Change Fellowships for 2021
The USGS Land Change, Monitoring, Assessment, and Projection (LCMAP) initiative is offering two Mendenhall Fellowships to improve its land change products.
Watch James Rattling Leaf Sr.'s Latest CIRES Presentation
James Rattling Leaf Sr. gave a recent presentation for the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, called “Building Relational and Effective Partnerships with Indigenous Communities.”
Imtiaz Rangwala Featured in KRDO Story About Colorado’s Record Fire Season
Climate Science Lead, Imtiaz Rangwala, was quoted in a November KRDO story, “How to rebuild after Colorado’s devastating wildfire season”.
Link to Watch James Rattling Leaf Sr. in ADSA Annual Meeting Panel Now Available
On Friday, October 15th, James Rattling Leaf Sr. participated in the panel “From Data Sovereignty to Data Science: Implications for American Indian Self-Determination” at the 2020 Academic Data Science Alliance Annual Meeting.
USDA Announces Scholars Programs for Students at Historically Black and Tribal Land-Grant Colleges and Universities
Twenty-first century agriculture involves cutting-edge science, technology, business management – and you. Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announces scholarships to help you build a career path in agriculture, food, natural resource sciences, and many more agriculture-related subjects.
NC CASC tribal partners participate in development of NIDIS' Tribal Drought Engagement Strategy for the Missouri River Basin & Midwest Drought Early Warning Systems (DEWS)
In order to ensure the inclusion of indigenous perspectives in the implementation of our Drought Early Warning System (DEWS), NIDIS launched a Tribal Drought Engagement initiative in January 2019 in collaboration with the Masters of the Environment Program at University of Colorado-Boulder.
Stefan Tangen co-author on ATNI-led tribal review of the Congressional Action Plan on the climate crisis
The Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI) has released its Tribal Review of the U.S. House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis' Congressional Action Plan, co-authored by NC CASC Tribal Liaison, Stefan Tangen.
CU Regents vote to approve in-state tuition status for out-of-state Indigenous peoples
At its regular meeting on Thursday, Nov. 12, which was hosted remotely, the University of Colorado Board of Regents heard updates on financial aid and student debt, as well as efforts on the Boulder campus to improve the student experience.
James Rattling Leaf, Sr. to present at NTGISC's 11th Annual National Tribal GIS Conference
NC CASC PI James Rattling Leaf, Sr. will present "Every Tribe has a Climate Story: Climate Assessment Planning on Tribal Lands in the Great Plains" on November 19.
NC CASC welcomes Dr. Jilmarie Stephens
Dr. Jilmarie Stephens is a bio-micro-meteorologist studying plant-atmosphere interactions in a changing climate, from surface layer turbulence to ecosystem scale climate, carbon, and water fluxes.
James Rattling Leaf, Sr. elected Chair, ESA Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) Section
NC CASC PI James Rattling, Sr. has been elected Chair of ESA's Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) Section. James will bring his knowledge and expertise to lead suggested activities with a theme of increased collaboration.
Small-Scale Droughts Limit Sagebrush Recovery After Wildfires
A new study supported by the Southwest, Northwest, and North Central CASCs found that a few days of water scarcity during critical growth periods dramatically limited post-fire sagebrush regeneration across the Great Basin.
Climate Data 101 in Python workshop
The NC CASC hosted a fully remote Climate Data 101 in Python workshop for resource managers and climate scientists on Friday, October 30th, 2020.
James Rattling Leaf, Sr. Featured in GEO Week 2020 Virtual Panel Discussion
On Friday, November 6th, James Rattling Leaf Sr., participated in a virtual panel as part of the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) Week 2020.
ESA Water Cooler Chat: Exploration of Modern Indigenous Knowledge and the Power of Indigenous Western Science
Celebrate Native American Heritage month with James Rattling Leaf, Sr , Rosebud Sioux Tribe, University of Colorado-Boulder and Robert Newman, University of North Dakota from ESA’s Traditional Ecological Knowledge Section as we explore: What is Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK)?
Three FY20 NC CASC-funded projects go live
PI: Davis (UM) : Science to Inform Post-fire Conifer Regeneration and Reforestation Strategies Under Changing Climate Condit
James Rattling Leaf, Sr. featured in article about digital NASA training for tribes
NC CASC PI James Rattling Leaf, Sr. was featured in a Space.com article: "With pandemic thwarting workshops, NASA training for tribes goes digital."
CIRES Diversity & Inclusion Virtual Workshop with James Rattling Leaf
James Rattling Leaf Sr. will outline recommendations for working with Indigenous communities based on the knowledge that long term relationship building with these communities is the foundation upon which educational programs, research collaborations, and other initiatives must be co-created.
Join us in celebrating National Bison Month!
NC CASC partner, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is working with the American Bison Society to celebrate National Bison Day on November 7th, an annual commemoration of the ecological, cultural, historical, and economic contribution of this icon.
NC CASC Welcomes Christy Miller Hesed to the Grasslands Project
Christy Miller Hesed is an environmental anthropologist and conservation biologist whose work focuses on engaging diverse stakeholders in climate change adaptation planning.
CU develops first systemwide Indigenous Lands Acknowledgement Statement
An initiative by the Board of Regents results in history-minded reflection.
New Paper- Linking surface and subterranean climate: implications for the study of hibernating bats and other cave dwellers
A new paper has been published in the journal, Ecosphere, called "Linking surface and subterranean climate: implications for the study of hibernating bats and other cave dwellers."
New NC CASC Projects Are Live, Relating to Native Trout and Pinyon-Juniper Communities
Two new projects went live in late-October, “Assessing the Vulnerability of Native Trout in the Northern Rockies: Linking Science and Management for Climate Adaptation” and “Determining Successful Management and Restoration Strategies for Pinyon-Juniper Communities in the Face of Changing Climate and Wildfire.”
New Publication Addresses Climate Change and 2020 Fire Season
Consortium Partner, Phil Higuera at the University of Montana, co-authored a recent publication discussing climate change and the record-setting 2020 fire season, "Record‐setting climate enabled the extraordinary 2020 fire season in the western United States".
New Paper: Small-scale water deficits after wildfires create long-lasting ecological impacts
A new paper has been published, "Small scale water deficits after wildfires create long-lasting ecological impacts." This paper was funded by the NC CASC.
NC CASC Webinar Series: Will there still be snow in wolverine denning habitat in the 2050s? High resolution projections for two study areas in the Rocky Mountains
Persistent spring snowpack has been proposed to be an important factor to determine suitable habitat for wolverine, particularly for denning by pregnant females, based on correlative studies from the northern Rocky Mountains.
New Paper: Projections of Mountain Snowpack Loss for Wolverine Denning Elevations in the Rocky Mountains
A new paper co-authored by NC CASC's Imtiaz Rangwala was published today, "Projections of Mountain Snowpack Loss for Wolverine Denning Elevations in the Rocky Mountains."
Upcoming Workshop: Dinosaur National Monument Scenario Planning
On October 28-29th, USGS NC CASC employees Brian Miller, Brecken Robb, and Danika Mosher, along with staff from the NPS Climate Change Response Program, NPS Biological Resources Division, and Scenario Insight, LLC, are co-facilitating a remote workshop.
Ecodrought Synthesis Paper Mentioned in NIDIS' Drought.gov
mtiaz Rangwala and Shelley Crausbay wrote a short article, "Ecological Drought Enters Unfamiliar Territory," for the National Integrated Drought Information System's (NIDIS) ecodrought publication.
Climate Data 101 in Python Workshop - October 30
Are you a resource manager or researcher interested in learning how to work with climate data in Python? If so, the North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center invites you to a Climate Data 101 in Python Workshop.
SDSU One of Four Schools Chosen to Lead the Upper Missouri River Snowpack Monitoring System, Awarded $12.8 Million Contract
U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and John Thune (R-S.D.) and Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) today praised the news that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has awarded major contracts to four universities, including South Dakota State University, to establish a network of stations to monitor snowpack and soil moisture throughout the plains area of the Upper Missouri River Basin.
Watch Imtiaz Rangwala's Guest Lecture at University of Wyoming
On September 15th, Imtiaz Rangwala gave a virtual guest lecture to a graduate class at the University of Wyoming, “Understanding and Quantifying Impacts of Regional Climate Change."
Survey for Resource Managers
Please consider supporting this effort and graduate student science by taking the following, anonymous, 10-minute survey.
James Rattling Leaf, Sr. to speak at Environmental Law Institute Webinar
James Rattling Leaf, Sr. will be on a panel of speakers at an upcoming Environmental Law Institute webinar, "Swept Away: Safeguarding Tribal Cultural Heritage from the Impacts of Climate Change".
New Paper: Fire-catalyzed vegetation shifts in ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir forests of the Western United States
Consortium Partner, Phil Higuera, and Research Ecologist, Kim Davis, at the University of Montana are authors on a recently published paper that discusses findings of fire-catalyzed vegetation shifts in ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir forests.
New Paper- A new framework to map fine resolution cropping intensity across the globe: Algorithm, validation, and implication
A new paper, "A new framework to map fine resolution cropping intensity across the globe: Algorithm, validation, and implication," was recently published.
Read the ADSA Quarterly Newsletter
The Academic Data Science Alliance (ADSA) released their Quarterly Newsletter, which features updates on the Data Science Leadership Summit, the ADSA Annual Meeting, and event reminders.
Celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day!
Celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day! Right Relationship Boulder is co-sponsoring an exciting series of online events to celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day from October 9th-12th.
Western Water Assessment webinar: Colorado River Basin Climate and Hydrology, Part 3: Current Understanding of Processes, Patterns, and Variability
Join Western Water Assessment's Jeff Lukas and Liz Payton for a presentation about the fundamental features of the Colorado River Basin’s hydroclimate, their spatial and temporal variability, and the mechanisms behind that variability.
New NC CASC Project: Determining Successful Management and Restoration Strategies for Pinyon-Juniper Communities in the Face of Changing Climate and Wildfire
Pinyon-juniper woodlands are important ecosystems in the western U.S. that provide numerous critical environmental, economic, and cultural benefits.
University of Montana partners Phil Higuera & Kim Davis talk wildfires, climate change in recent media interviews
NC CASC consortium partners Phil Higuera and Kim Davis from the University of Montana talk wildfires, climate change in recent media interviews.
James Rattling Leaf, Sr. to host webinar: "Building Effective Partnerships with Indigenous Communities"
James Rattling Leaf, Sr.'s webinar is sponsored by The Boulder Labs Diversity Council.
2020 National Tribal and Indigenous Climate Conference
Several members of the North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center (NC CASC) participated in last week’s 2020 National Tribal and Indigenous Climate Conference.
NC CASC welcomes USGS Data Steward Sarah Burton
Sarah Burton is a USGS Data Steward serving the North Central CASC as well as the South Central and Pacific Island CASCs. In her position, she is responsible for overseeing data management activities for all projects from their onset through publication.
NC CASC partner South Dakota State University launches new Center of Excellence to advance bison research, knowledge
The future of America’s national mammal continued to brighten this week as officials from South Dakota State University, the National Bison Association and the National Buffalo Foundation formally launched the Center of Excellence for Bison Studies, to be headquartered at SDSU’s West River Research and Extension facility in Rapid City.
New article: Unfamiliar Territory: Emerging Themes for Ecological Drought Research and Management
NC CASC consortium partner, Shelley Crausbay (CSP) and Climate Science Lead, Imtiaz Rangwala, along with several others, have published an article in One Earth.
New film: "Holding Back the Snowpack"
A film, "Holding Back the Snowpack ," explores the suite of tools stakeholders in the Big Hole Valley are using to improve riparian habitat along the Big Hole River.
Jennifer Balch makes the media rounds to talk wildfires, smoke, climate change
As large fires blaze across the landscape of the American west, NCCASC University Director Jennifer Balch has been fielding numerous media requests for her expertise in wildfire science.
Workshop on climate change scenario planning for the Apostle Islands NP
From September 21-25, Brian Miller, NC CASC/USGS Research Ecologist, along with Danika Mosher and Brecken Robb from the NPS Climate Change Response Program and Denver Service Center, are co-facilitating a remote workshop on climate change scenario planning for the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.
New publication: The role of economic returns in land use change: Evidence from farm-level data in the US Northern Great Plains
New publication on project funded by the NC CASC: M. Doidge, D. A. Hennessy, and H. Feng, “The role of economic returns in land use change: Evidence from farm-level data in the US Northern Great Plains."
High Plains Regional Climate Center survey on Climate Normals data
As you all may know, the current Climate Normals period is coming to an end soon. This means that an update will be developed and released in the not so distant future.
Version 0.3.0 of the Climate Futures Toolbox (CFT) R package
The Climate Futures Toolbox (CFT) R package which provides easy and robust access to MACA climate data has reached version 0.3.0.
Recent publications by NC CASC principal investigators focus on flash drought, fires
Recent publications by NC CASC principal investigators focus on flash drought, fires (not funded by the NC CASC).
NC CASC partners awarded NOAA-NIDIS "Coping with Drought" Initiative funding
NC CASC consortium partners Shelley Crausbay, Conservation Science Partners, and Molly Cross, Wildlife Conservation Society, have been awarded funding by the NOAA Climate Program Office's Coping with Drought in Support of NIDIS Initiative
New paper: 2,200-Year tree-ring and lake-sediment based snowpack reconstruction for the northern Rocky Mountains highlights the historic magnitude of recent snow drought
This paper was part of the project "Characterizing Historic Streamflow to Support Drought Planning in the Upper Missouri River Basin: Paleohydrologic Resources for Drought Planning and Improved Operations in the Upper Missouri River Basin", funded by the NC CASC.
NEDTalks to feature James Rattling Leaf, Sr.
For DataFest 2020, we’re exploring the interconnectivity of data collection, analysis, and cultural diversity with an expansive lineup of speakers during the fall. Please join us for talks on the interdisciplinary possibilities of NOAA data, which include the topics of environmental law, data sovereignty, epidemiology, and social justice.
NC CASC Hires New Graduate Research Assistant, Danika Mosher
The NC CASC is proud to welcome a new research assistant, Danika Mosher. She will assist with scenario planning and ecological response modeling to meet the needs of the National Park Service, and other DOI and tribal partners.
Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians announces Youth Video Contest focused on climate change and the environment
Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, host of the Northwest CASC Tribal Liaison, announces Youth Video Contest focused on climate change and the environment.
Jennifer Balch featured on KUNC podcast, Colorado Edition: Feeling the Heat
NC CASC University Director Jennifer Balch talks wildfires and climate change on KUNC's Colorado Edition: Feeling the Heat.
How Bad is the Smoke? Current Fires and Air Quality Resources: Top 10 ways to get up-to-date information on fires and air quality
NC CASC team members partnered with Earth Lab and CIRES partners to compile a list of resources on current fires and air quality.
CPR News: Colorado Wildfires Are Climate Change ‘In The Here And Now’ — And A Sign Of Summers To Come
NC CASC University Director Jennifer Balch quoted in CPR News, "Colorado Wildfires Are Climate Change ‘In The Here And Now’ — And A Sign Of Summers To Come".
AP News: Science Says: Climate change, people stoke California fires
NC CASC University Director Jennifer Balch is quoted in AP News article about climate change, California wildfires.
NC CASC Webinar Series: People, Nature, and Future Climate: Developing prioritized climate adaptation actions through a stakeholder driven process in southwest Colorado
The next NC CASC webinar series is titled, "People, Nature, and Future Climate: Developing prioritized climate adaptation actions through a stakeholder driven process in southwest Colorado."
Executive Summary Released for Mountain Goat Project
NC CASC’s Imtiaz Rangwala worked with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks on a Structured Design Making Process to develop recommendations for the future management of mountain goats in the state.
NC CASC Hosts Tribal Climate Leaders Program Welcome Event
On August 11, the NC CASC held a virtual event to welcome the Tribal Climate Leaders to CU. This event was designed to allow the four incoming and one returning graduate students to introduce themselves to each other and to the wider NC CASC community, and for us to introduce the students to some of the additional programs and resources on campus to support their scholarly, professional, and personal growth.
New Publications from NC CASC Projects
Several papers were recently published from NC CASC projects.
LERI Tool Featured in "Dry Times"
Landscape Evaporative Response Index (LERI), a tool used to remotely-sense high-resolution information of the evaporative response from the land in near real time, is featured in the August 13th edition of Dry Times, a bi-monthly newsletter from NIDIS.
NC CASC Hires New Research Assistant, Brecken Robb
The NC CASC is proud to welcome a new research assistant, Brecken Robb. She will serve as a resource for the National Park Service's Climate Change Response Program in the development of climate-resource scenarios.
Three Centers Summer 2020 Virtual Meeting & Retreat
On July 22-23, NC CASC team members joined colleagues from NOAA, DOI and USDA to participate in the virtual, semi-annual Three Centers Retreat. The objective of the this event is to bring together staff from regional climate efforts that are headquartered in the Front Range and are working on climate issues in the Northern Rockies and northern Great Plains.
NC CASC Seeks Postdoc for Grasslands Project
The NC CASC is seeking a postdoc for the new Grasslands Project.
USGS Releases New Report on Ecological Forecasting
NC CASC's Brian Miller and Imtiaz Rangwala, along with other USGS researchers, are co-authors in a new report, "Ecological Forecasting—21st Century Science for 21st Century Management".
Snow Collider Workshop: Future Projections of Snow
On June 11, 2020, the North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center, in coordination with CU Boulder Earthlab and CIRES and the US Fish and Wildlife Service, hosted a Snow Collider virtual workshop, that brought snow data modellers and natural resource managers together to discuss and iterate on snow-related data and information needs, model limitations, and next steps for modeling future snow projections.
Full-court suppress: Land managers anticipate pivot to 'fast and furious' wildfire strategy in light of COVID-19
Phill Higuera, University of Montana Associate Professor of Fire Ecology and NC CASC consortium partner, discusses potential COVID19 impacts on fire management during the 2020 fire season in an article featured in the Montana Free Press.
NC CASC Welcomes Jane Wolken as Program Manager
Jane Wolken is a forest ecologist that works at the nexus of climate science research, program coordination and communication.
NC CASC Launches Tribal Climate Leaders Program
The NC CASC is pleased to announce the launch of the Tribal Climate Leaders Program that will support Native American students pursuing a graduate degree at the University of Colorado Boulder in fields related to climate adaptation science.
Rosebud Sioux Tribe to Create North America's Largest Native Owned and Managed Bison Herd
"Economic Arm of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Works With World Wildlife Fund and Department of the Interior To Create Historic Public Private-Partnership For Plains Bison Restoration"
NC CASC Webinar Series: Post-fire conifer regeneration in a changing climate
Managers tasked with maintaining forest ecosystems and the services they provide are challenged by the combined impacts of increasing wildfire activity and more stressful post-fire climate conditions.
Save the Date! NC CASC announces new webinar series starting July 9
The NC CASC is excited to announce the launch of a new webinar series that will highlight ongoing research from the seven state NC CASC network, as well as feature topics of critical importance to natural resource managers and other stakeholders within the NC CASC region.
NC CASC Seeks Postdoc for Wildfire Research
The NC CASC is seeking a postdoctoral scholar to conduct wildfire research, "Understanding and Managing Changing Wildfire Risk".
New Project: Anticipating Forest Vulnerability to Fire-Catalyzed Ecosystem Change
Principal Investigator Dr. Phil Higuera at University of Montana is leading a new project, “Anticipating forest vulnerability to fire-catalyzed ecosystem change.”
USGS Project Proposals Selected, Details Coming Soon
In November 2019, the USGS released a Request for Proposals (RFP) to members of the NC CASC consortium or USGS scientists for proposed science projects related to high-priority natural or cultural resource management issues that can benefit from science to support climate-informed planning and adaptation management.
Blog Post for New Paper About Fire as a Fundamental Ecological Process
A new paper, “Fire as a Fundamental Ecological Process: Research Advances and Frontiers” (co-authored by Phil Higuera and Jennifer Balch) was recently covered in the Journal of Ecology’s Blog.
NC CASC welcomes Nicole DeCrappeo as new USGS Director
Nicole DeCrappeo is the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Director of the Northwest and North Central Climate Adaptation Science Centers (CASCs) and brings a strong research background, proven leadership skills and a deep commitment to advancing the state of climate adaptation science and practice.
USGS hires NAGT summer intern
USGS has hired Indigo Bannister, a masters student at the Bren School of Environmental Science and Management at the University of California, Santa Barbara, as a virtual summer intern, starting in June.
Upcoming Webinar: Colorado River Basin Climate and Hydrology State of the Science
Join Western Water Assessment's Jeff Lukas and Liz Payton for an overview of the recently released report, "Colorado River Basin Climate and Hydrology: State of the Science," followed by Q&A.
Interview with James Rattling Leaf Sr: How the Earth Observation Community can learn from Indigenous Peoples and a Lakota worldview
James Rattling Leaf Sr., the NC CASC's Consultant to the Great Plains Tribal Water Alliance, was interviewed by Diana Mastracci for the Group on Earth Observations (GEO).
New research uses tree ring data to assess drought severity in the Missouri River Basin
A newly-published article, partially funded by the North Central CASC and co-authored by Alaska CASC scientists Stephen Gray and Jeremy Littell, examined data collected from tree-rings to reconstruct historic natural streamflows and aid drought management and adaptation planning efforts in the Upper Missouri River Basin.
NC CASC and Earth Lab release Drought Index Portal
NC CASC and Earth Lab have recently released the Drought Index Portal (DrIP) through the University of Colorado, Boulder. DrIP is a web analytic resource to display, compare, and extract time series for various indicators of drought in the contiguous United States.
New R package: Climate Futures Toolbox
The NC CASC has released a new R package, Climate Futures Toolbox, with the goal to provide easy access to downscaled climate projections data (MACA) to support climate change analysis and scenario planning.
NC CASC seeks National Park Service Research Assistant
The NC CASC is looking to hire a National Park Service Research Assistant.
Western Water Assessment releases major report on state of the science and practice for the Colorado River
Western Water Assessment Director and NC CASC PI Lisa Dilling, along with fellow scientists at Western Water Assessment, released a major report on the state of the science and practice for the Colorado River.
Upcoming workshop: Scenario planning in Dinosaur National Monument
NC CASC scientists Brian Miller and Imtiaz Rangwala are currently preparing for an upcoming virtual workshop, May 5-6.
Monitoring and Predicting Drought on our Grasslands
An article, "Monitoring and Predicting Drought on our Grasslands" by NC CASC scientist Imtiaz Rangwala has been featured in Grasslands News, the USDA’s National Grasslands Council’s Spring 2020 Newsletter.
New publication: Advances in Remote Sensors For Earth Observation and Modeling of Earth Processes
USGS scientist Gabriel Senay and others have published a paper on the operational global actual evapotranspiration (ET) product that has been used by the Famine Early Warning Systems Network for use in drought monitoring and early warning applications since 2014.
New Project: Synthesis of Climate Impacts and Adaptation on Grassland Ecosystems in the Northern Great Plains
Heather Yocum, NC CASC Stakeholder Engagement & Communications Lead, has launched a new project on the climate impacts and adaptations on grassland ecosystems in the Northern Great Plains.
State of knowledge on pinyon-juniper communities
The USGS has released a new handout on the state of knowledge on pinyon-juniper (PJ) communities.
CSP’s Priya Nanjappa appointed to serve on the Wildlife Stamp Habitat Committee in CO
Priya Nanjappa, Director of Operations, Conservation Science Partners (CSP) was recently appointed by Colorado Governor Jared Polis to serve on the Wildlife Stamp Habitat Committee for the state of Colorado.
Funding opportunity: WCS Climate Adaptation Fund 2020 Request for Proposals
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is pleased to announce a new round of grantmaking through its Climate Adaptation Fund, a program that supports projects that implement effective interventions for wildlife and ecosystem adaptation to climate change.
Regional CASC research displayed in new Ecodrought Story Map
A new Story Map is now available that summarizes CASC work on ecological drought and highlights the products that have resulted from this initiative.
NC CASC Scientists to present at Rocky Mountain National Park 2020 Biennial Research Conference
NC CASC scientists Brian Miller (USGS) and Imtiaz Rangwala (CU-Boulder) will present at the 2020 Rocky Mountain National Park 2020 Biennial Research Conference, March 10-11.
2020 National Tribal & Indigenous Climate Conference
The Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) has announced the 2020 National Tribal & Indigenous Climate Conference.
Save the Date: GPTWA 2020 Spring Water Conference
The Great Plains Tribal Water Alliance has announced its 2020 spring water conference, to be held April 15 - 16.
Draft for Partner Review: North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center Tribal Engagement Strategy (2019-2024)
A revised draft of the North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center Tribal Engagement Strategy (2019-2024), updated 1/20/2020, is available for review.
New paper on adaptive cattle management in a changing climate
Researchers from CSU’s Center for Collaborative Conservation and other authors, including NC CASC’s Imtiaz Rangwala, discuss adaptive cattle management for healthy soils and increased carbon storage.
Report: Climate Change Scenario Planning for Resource Stewardship: Applying a Novel Approach in Devils Tower National Monument
NC CASC ecologist, Brian Miller, partnered with NPS to publish a report on scenario planning as a climate change adaptation tool in Devils Tower National Monument. One of the first of its kind, it worked with NPS to develop a Resource Stewardship Strategy (RSS).
National Park Service staff, with support from NC CASC, outline how protected places can adapt to a changing climate
NPS and NC CASC have been collaborating to forward climate-informed park planning. NPS staff outline “Repeatable approaches to work with scientific uncertainty and advance climate change adaptation in US national Parks” in the January edition of Park Stewardship Forum.
New paper synthesizes best available science on pinyon-juniper communities
USGS scientist Jessica Hartsell and colleagues published “Gaps and hotspots in the state of knowledge of pinyon-juniper communities” in Forest Ecology and Management in January 2020.
USGS researchers and colleagues identify potential maladaptive climate response in riparian systems
USGS researchers, looking to understand how climate may affect riparian tree regeneration, outline how warming temperatures may lead to asynchrony in the timing of riparian seed release compared to when there is either sufficient moisture or when there are areas free from flood scour necessary for successful recruitment.
NC CASC funds a year full of impactful research in 2019
In addition to numerous reports and fact sheets, at least 15 articles in high-impact journals were published in 2019 that were in part funded by the NC CASC.
NC CASC seeks Program Manager
The NC CASC is seeking a Program Manager.
Apply for the 2020 Science to Action Fellowship!
The National Climate Adaptation Science Center will be accepting Statements of Interest for the 2020 Science to Action Fellowship through January 31, 2020.
NC CASC Collaborting with NPS to Develop RSS for Yellowstone National Park's Northern Range
NC CASC ecologist Brian Miller is collaborating with NPS Denver Service Center, Climate Change Response Program, and park staff to develop a climate-informed Resource Stewardship Strategy (RSS) for Yellowstone National Park's Northern Range.
NC CASC Announces FY20 Funding Opportunity
This solicitation invites proposals for projects to be initiated in Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 for the North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center (NC CASC) that inform high-priority natural or cultural resource management issues that can benefit from climate-informed planning and adaptation management.
NC CASC posts update to Strategic Science Plan draft
The NC CASC has posted an update to its Strategic Science Plan draft.
SERDP Announces Funding Opportunity for FY2021
The Department of Defense’s (DoD) Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) is seeking to fund environmental research and development in the Resource Conservation and Resiliency program area.
Project Examines Emerging Challenges Related to Climate Change, Disease, and Wildlife Health
The USGS National Wildlife Health Center, in partnership with the USGS Climate Adaptation Science Center Network, is leading a one-year project to understand and prepare for emerging challenges related to fish and wildlife health, disease, and climate change across North America.
Save the Date! 8th Annual Rising Voices: Climate Resilience through Indigenous and Earth Sciences Workshop
We are pleased to announce that the 8th annual Rising Voices: Climate Resilience through Indigenous and Earth Sciences workshop will be held in Lummi Territory from April 29—May 1, 2020, in partnership with Lummi Nation and the Northwest Indian College.
leri R drought data tool now available on Comprehensive R Archive Network
The North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center is happy to announce that the leri R package, which facilitates access to the NOAA Landscape Evaporative Response Index (LERI) data product, is now on the Comprehensive R Archive Network.
GPTWA announces 2019 Fall Water Conference
The Great Plains Tribal Water Alliance and the Great Plains Tribal Chairman's Association present the 2019 Fall Water Conference, "Protecting Tribal Water and Lands: Vision and Planning to adapt to a Changing Climate."
NC CASC welcomes new Research Coordinator, Alisa Wade
The NC CASC welcomes Dr. Alisa Wade to our team as our new research coordinator. Alisa is a conservation planner and scientist, trained at the intersection of physical, ecological, and social science, with a particular interest in bridging the gap between science and management by creating tools and resources for conservation planning.
NC CASC University Director Jennifer Balch comments on "the Smokey Bear effect"
NC CASC Director Jennifer Balch comments on "the Smokey Bear effect" as Smokey celebrates 75th birthday.
NC CASC University Director Jennifer Balch speaks at U.S. House of Representatives’ Select Committee on the Climate Crisis
Congressional hearing on campus highlights CU Boulder climate change leadership.
NC CASC Announces Tribal Climate Leaders Graduate Degree Program
The North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center is seeking applications from students affiliated with the 31 federally recognized tribes in the North Central region (North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Montana, Wyoming, or Colorado) who are interested in completing a Master's degree at the University of Colorado Boulder on a topic related to climate adaptation science.
Drought & Change in the Mancos Watershed
"Drought & Change in the Mancos Watershed", a research brief for planners and managers in the Mancos River Valley in southwest Colorado, was produced by the Mountain Studies Institute and included input from NC CASC partners.
Meet NC CASC/BIA Pathways Program Intern, Jordan Matula
Jordan Matula has joined the NC CASC team as a BIA Pathways Program intern. Jordan is a junior at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO), where she is combining her passions by majoring in biology and minoring in Native American studies.
NC CASC Leads Climate Workshops with Tribes of the Lower Missouri River
Members of the North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center (NC CASC) organized and facilitated the Building Resilience with Tribal Technical Teams workshop hosted by the Sac and Fox Nation of Missouri in Kansas and Nebraska on June 18 and 19, 2019.
EROSPublication - Long-Term (1986–2015) Crop Water Use Characterization over the Upper Rio Grande Basin of United States and Mexico Using Landsat-Based Evapotranspiration
The evaluation of historical water use in the Upper Rio Grande Basin (URGB), United States and Mexico, using Landsat-derived actual evapotranspiration (ETa) from 1986 to 2015 is presented here as the first study of its kind to apply satellite observations to quantify long-term, basin-wide crop consumptive use in a large basin.
Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) Storage Change Characteristics (2003–2016) over Major Surface Basins and Principal Aquifers in the Conterminous United States
In this research, we characterized the changes in the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) monthly total water storage anomaly (TWSA) in 18 surface basins and 12 principal aquifers in the conterminous United States during 2003–2016.
Consortium Partners meet in Boulder
The NC CASC Annual Consortium Partner was held on June 4th at the University of Colorado in Boulder. Representatives from the Great Plains Tribal Water Alliance, Conservation Science Partners, South Dakota State University, the University of Montana, and Wildlife Conservation Society met with NC CASC.
Meet NC CASC Intern, Rebecca Reath
NC CASC intern Rebecca Reath is a senior at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado, with a concentration in Biological and Geospatial Sciences. She will be assisting the NC CASC and the CASC network.
Meet NC CASC Intern, Tori Pfaeffle
Tori Pfaeffle joined the NC CASC as an intern in June. Tori received her Master of Arts in International Studies, with a concentration in international development and Latin American studies from the Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver, in 2018.
North Central CASC Receives Funding from the Community for Data Integration (CDI) for New “Climate Scenarios Toolbox”
With support from the USGS Community for Data Integration (CDI), researchers at the North Central CASC will develop and implement an efficient and robust “Climate Scenarios Toolbox."
Meet NC CASC Intern, Noah Williams
Noah Williams recently joined the NC CASC as an intern to work with the NC CASC's Tribal Resilience Liaison, Stefan Tangen.
Joint Stakeholder Committee Meeting
On June 25-26, the North Central CASC (NC CASC), along with the USDA Northern Plains Regional Climate Hub (Hub), will convene the Joint Stakeholder Committee, JSC, on the CU campus in Boulder, CO.
NC CASC Education Lead Leah Wasser Receives Open Educator Award
Leah Wasser is the recipient of the 2019 CU Boulder Open Educator Award from the CU Student Government and the University Libraries.
NC CASC Announces 2018 Projects
The U.S. Geological Survey is pleased to announce the following fiscal year 2018 projects funded via the North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center:
NC CASC University Director Jennifer Balch to be featured in PBS Nova episode, "Inside the Megafire"
NC CASC University Director Jennifer Balch will be featured in the Nova special, "Inside the Megafire", airing on PBS on May 8.
National Adaptation Forum Honors North Central CASC USGS Director Robin O'Malley
Robin O’Malley, USGS Director of the North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center (NC CASC) was honored by the National Adaptation Forum and its sponsoring organization, EcoAdapt, for lifetime achievement in the field of climate change adaptation.
New Product Showcases Implications of Climate Scenarios for Badlands National Park Resource Management
One of the biggest challenges facing resource managers today is not knowing exactly when, where, and how climate change effects will unfold.
NC CASC members to present at National Adaptation Forum
Several members of the NC CASC will present at the National Adaptation Forum in Madison, WI, April 23-25:
Great Plains Tribal Water Alliance Board meets with NC CASC members, others at CU Boulder
On December 19, 2018, The Great Plains Tribal Water Alliance Board traveled to Boulder to discuss opportunities for engagement with other CU and Boulder-area groups interested in working with the GPTWA, NC CASC, and indigenous communities.
Applications now being accepted for the USGS NCASC Science to Action Fellowship Program
The Science to Action Fellowship is provided through a partnership between the USGS National Climate Adaptation Science Center (NCASC) and Michigan State University (MSU).
Great Plains Tribal Water Alliance to meet with NC CASC teams in Boulder
Members of the Great Plains Tribal Water Alliance Board will travel to Boulder to meet with NC CASC teams on December 19 to discuss synergistic opportunities.
NC CASC USGS Deputy Director to chair session at American Geophysical Union Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C.
NC CASC USGS Deputy Director Aparna Bamzai-Dodson will chair the session "PA14B: Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Drought and Drought Decisions" at the American Geophysical Union Annual Meeting.
CASC Presentations at American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting
Scientists from the NC CASC will present at the 2018 AGU Fall Meeting
CIRES Special Seminar: Dr. Jennifer Balch, "The Human Imprint on Modern Fire Regimes"
Dr. Balch's research aims to understand the patterns and processes that underlie disturbance and ecosystem recovery, particularly how people are shifting fire regimes and the consequences. There are three ingredients needed for fire: fuel to burn, hot & dry conditions, and an ignition source.
CU Boulder to Host Federal Climate Adaptation Science Center
The U.S. Geological Survey has selected a University of Colorado Boulder team to host the North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center for the next five years, in a move that will foster both innovation and applied research, said new University Director Jennifer Balch.