Responding to climate change in U.S. designated wilderness poses a wicked problem for wilderness managers. The Aldo Leopold Research Institute (ALWRI) and research partners conducted comparative case study research across the U.S. to better understand the implications of climate-driven ecological transformation in wilderness and how the Resist–Accept–Direct framework can help wilderness managers approach climate adaptation. The RAD decisions in rad landscapes project investigated climate driven ecological transformation and the utility of a RAD-informed adaptive management process across four interagency, wilderness case studies in the USA. This presentation shares results and lessons-learned from the Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness (BRCW) of southwest Colorado, where climate change is impacting habitat conditions for native amphibians and exacerbating adverse interactions between native and invasive amphibian species. Scientists from ALWRI, the U.S. Geological Survey, North Central CASC, Colorado Mesa University, and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) conducted research to illuminate the potential ecological consequences of climate change for ephemeral riparian communities as well as managers’ perceived ability to respond to ecological change. Additionally, scientists at AWLRI facilitated a 2-day workshop which engaged BLM staff and their partners in an adaptive management process to clarify values and desired conditions, generate decision alternatives under the RAD framework, and evaluate the potential social, legal, and ecological implications of various decision alternatives for native amphibian communities within the BRCW. The overarching goal of this case study was to provide BLM staff and their partners with knowledge and tools to support intentional and transparent decision-making for ephemeral riparian communities in the BRCW through climate change-driven ecological transformation.