Next NC CASC webinar - November 9, 2023

The Colorado River Basin is in crisis. As a result of climate change induced long-term drought, the Basin faces chronic water shortages with significant impacts across economic sectors. The agricultural sector is the largest water user in the Basin, meaning that farmers and ranchers are central to both the impacts of and solutions to water shortages. Their involvement will be key to developing effective policy solutions to today’s water crisis.

When

The Colorado River Basin is in crisis. As a result of climate change induced long-term drought, the Basin faces chronic water shortages with significant impacts across economic sectors. The agricultural sector is the largest water user in the Basin, meaning that farmers and ranchers are central to both the impacts of and solutions to water shortages. Their involvement will be key to developing effective policy solutions to today’s water crisis. This webinar will present findings from a survey of 1,020 agricultural water users throughout six states to understand their perspectives on the present crisis, current adaptation strategies, and preferences for water conservation programs to address water shortages going forward. It will also highlight case studies of conservation program preferences and adoption in two headwater subbasins in Colorado and Wyoming and the current status of efforts to adapt to increased uncertainty. Given the importance of agriculture as the primary water user in the Basin, proactively engaging agricultural communities will be critical to successfully managing water shortages. Understanding the perspectives and preferences of agricultural water users can help guide the development of solutions that work for producers and other users in the Basin.

NC CASC webinar recording available

Biogeography entwines the studies of demography, disturbances, dispersal, and in light of changing climate – disequilibrium dynamics. All of these ecological and evolutionary processes interact to shape the stability of species current and future distributions, and – as I will focus on in this talk – may be influenced by landscape heterogeneity.

New RCAP Product: Climate Adaptation in the North Central Mountains

The Alpine RCAP group has completed a 4-page summary document, titled "Climate Adaptation in the North Central Mountains: Alpine Tundra and Treeline."

Climate Adaptation in the North Central Mountains: Alpine Tundra and Treeline

Mountain systems in the North Central region have experienced rising temperatures that are amplified at higher elevation, dramatic and spatially variable decreases in snowpack (including higher rates of wintertime melt), retreating glaciers and permafrost loss, and consistently earlier annual ice loss in alpine lakes. These changes in climate have occurred against a backdrop of highly variable and extreme mountain climate.

Celebrating Indigenous Peoples' Day

The NC CASC recognizes the deep relationship that Indigenous peoples have as caretakers of the lands that comprise the United States of America and beyond. We honor their past, present and future stewardship of these lands, and recognize the importance and value of Indigenous Knowledges in addressing the environmental challenges we face today.

NC CASC’s Dr. Imtiaz Rangwala provides guidance on modeling habitat suitability under future climate for new publication on black-tailed prairie dog

NC CASC’s Dr. Imtiaz Rangwala provided guidance on the development and use of climate scenarios for modeling suitable black-tailed prairie dog habitat in the future.

Funding Opportunity: Applications Open to Host the Southwest and North Central Climate Adaptation Science Centers

Qualified organizations are invited to apply to host and, as applicable, serve as consortium partners for the North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center (NC CASC) and Southwest Climate Adaptation Science Center (SW CASC).

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.
Subscribe to