News
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.