News
New Climate Dataset Offers High-Resolution Projections of Future Drought Risk Across the U.S.
A newly published dataset, developed by the NC CASC in partnership with ClimateToolbox.org, provides detailed projections of the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) for the contiguous United States.
A Climate Adaptation Menu for North American Grasslands
North American grasslands, which span vast territories across the continent, are important yet often overlooked ecosystems in climate policy and conservation efforts. Bernath-Plaisted et al. (2025) developed the Grassland Adaptation Menu, a structured guide designed to support managers in implementing climate resilience strategies tailored to grassland ecosystems.
Ulyana Horodyskyj Peña
State of the Birds 2025
Birds are good indicators of ecosystem health. In the new 2025 "State of the Birds", it's reported that over one-third of U.S. bird species are in trouble, with 112 “Tipping Point” species having lost more than half their populations in just 50 years. But it’s not all bad news: the report also highlights successful conservation efforts that have helped bird populations rebound.
Upcoming Webinar: Assessing the Future of Sagebrush Ecosystems to Inform Climate Adaptation
Join the NC CASC on April 10 at 11am MT to learn about future changes in sagebrush ecosystems and current climate adaptation efforts!
Upcoming Webinar from USFWS Scientist (Former SE CASC Fellow!)
The Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center (SE CASC) is hosting a webinar featuring one of their former fellows, Julianne Reas! The webinar, "Understanding the Role of Conservation Social Science in Improving Natural Resource Management Applications," will take place March 19 at 11am MT.
Webinar Now Available Online
The Sagebrush Conservation Design (SCD) is a tool to identify intact sagebrush areas and address the largest threats to the ecosystem. The SCD focuses on first protecting intact and functioning sagebrush ecosystems, called Core Sagebrush Areas, then works outward toward more degraded areas (i.e., “Defend the Core”).
New Publication - Grass Invasion in Prairie Pothole Region
The Prairie Potholes Region of the northern Great Plains is under threat from the combined effects of introduced perennial grasses and climate change, which are driving plant community shifts and biodiversity loss. Check out a new publication about this from the NC CASC's RCAP (Rapid Climate Assessment Program).
Understanding CMIP6: Key Insights and Implications for Climate Modeling
The North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center (NC CASC) provides climate science support for resource managers, researchers, and stakeholders navigating climate-related challenges. As part of this effort, we offer resources and expertise to help interpret and apply climate data to decision-making.
Ulyana Horodyskyj Peña
Upcoming Webinar: "Defend and Grow the Core: Implementing the Sagebrush Conservation Design to Save a Biome"
Don't miss our March webinar, "Defend and Grow the Core: Implementing the Sagebrush Conservation Design to Save a Biome" with Geoff Bedrosian, Sagebrush Science Coordinator with the US Fish and Wildlife Service!
New RCAP synthesis publication on climate change in high-elevation ecosystems
In the summer of 2023, Meagan Oldfather and Alyson Ennis led a project in the NC CASC’s Rapid Climate Assessment Program (RCAP) titled “Synthesis of Climate Adaptation in Mountain Ecosystems in the North Central Region.” The results of this RCAP are described in a new synthesis paper.