News
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.
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.
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.
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
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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:
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
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 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
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.
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.
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
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.
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"
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.
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.
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?"
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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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"
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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%.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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, 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".
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.
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.
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.
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. 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.
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
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.
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".
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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 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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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, 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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.