A new publication is out, co-authored by NC CASC consortium partner, Dr. Ana Davidson (Colorado State University). The study aimed to identify potential landscapes for conserving the black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) ecosystem across its historical range in the Central Grasslands of the United States. Using a structured decision analysis approach, the research evaluated ecological, political, and social factors, alongside changing climate and land use, to identify landscapes with high conservation potential (HCP). The results revealed that the top 30% of HCP landscapes encompassed 22% of the species' historical distribution and remained strongholds under projected climate change scenarios. The study provides a range of HCP area scenarios to support diverse conservation and management interests, including climate adaptation and state-level considerations. These findings underscore the significant conservation opportunities for black-tailed prairie dogs and associated species, offering valuable tools for large-scale, multispecies conservation planning in the Central Grasslands of North America. Read the paper here.