Congratulations to Will Crawford who successfully defended his Masters thesis on Monday! His project, "Dak̇od Wóokaḣniġe Ohna Ṫípsiŋna Awaŋyakapi" (Protecting Prairie Turnips Through Traditional Dakota Wisdom and Understanding) was a model for how to do relevant research that benefits his Tribe and adds to our collective wisdom.

In a new study that examines the severity of fires in combination with hotter and drier conditions plaguing the Western United States, researchers are “seeing the forest for the trees.” Using information from 334 wildfires and 10,000 field plots, collected by more than 50 research teams, this new study, led by NC CASC affiliate Dr. Kim Davis has uncovered a pattern.

Dr. Aparna Bamzai-Dodson with the USGS North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center uses social science to tease apart how people make decisions when planning for and adapting to climate change.

The Grasslands Synthesis Project focuses on understanding how climate change and variability impacts grassland ecosystems and their management in the 21st century. We invite you to check out the new page: nccasc.colorado.edu/grasslands

The Grasslands Synthesis Project focuses on understanding how climate change and variability impacts grassland ecosystems and their management in the 21st century. We invite you to check out the next edition of "The Prairie Climate Companion", which focuses on water availability.

The Grasslands Synthesis Project focuses on understanding how climate change and variability impacts grassland ecosystems and their management in the 21st century. We invite you to check out the next edition of "The Praire Climate Companion", which focuses on wild and prescribed fire.

During the month of May, Dr. Imtiaz Rangwala, climate science lead at the NC CASC, visited US Fish and Wildlife partners at refuges in the Prairie Pothole region of the US, participated in a four-square-mile pond survey, and facilitated a workshop on climate scenario planning.

Indigenous Peoples are key partners for achieving natural resource management and conservation goals. But first, western science professionals need to understand how to collaborate with Indigenous partners in a spirit of respect and reciprocity.

USGS and NC CASC Research Ecologist, Dr. Brian Miller, uses scenario planning to help managers think about different possible climate conditions, allowing them to be ready for anything the future may bring.

Understanding how climate change and variability will impact grassland ecosystems is crucial for successful grasslands management in the future. Towards that goal, the NC CASC began the "Grasslands Synthesis Project" in 2020 to compile baseline information on broadly shared grassland management goals and challenges in the North Central region.