Location: Range Management Research
Project Number: 3050-12610-001-001-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Jul 1, 2021
End Date: Jun 30, 2026
Objective:
The USDA Climate Hubs link USDA research and program agencies in their regional delivery of timely and authoritative tools and information to natural resource professionals. The goal of this project is to provide practical, science-based climate information and climate adaptation training, which tiers to and expands on the work of the USDA Climate Hubs by providing forest sector-specific information and outreach on climate change adaptation. The objectives of this project include:
a. Providing technical assistance and training to natural resource professionals in need of specific information, strategies, and tools to address the unique challenges of climate change adaptation and mitigation in forests and grasslands in the Southwest.
b. Building internal capacity to replicate efforts between The USDA Northern Forests Climate Hub (led by the Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science - NIACS) and the USDA Southwest Climate Hub to integrate tools, partnerships, and actions that help land managers focus on their needs while minimizing climate risks.
c. Utilizing the NIACS adaptation toolkit for natural resources managers with partners in the Southwest, which includes “menus” of adaptation strategies and approaches as well as the Adaptation Workbook, a structured decision-support process to help managers assess feasibility of their management goals alongside climate change risks, and develop customized adaptation actions for implementation.
Approach:
The cooperator will expand upon existing collaborative efforts in the Southwest Region to provide land managers with credible information and tools related to the management of forests and grasslands in an era of climate change. This will include:
• Providing expertise and support to help organize and facilitate climate change adaptation workshops with regional partners;
• Providing technical assistance in exploring local climate change impacts;
• Providing training in climate services and assistance;
• Assisting with developing adaptation plans for urban forests, forests, and grasslands; and
• Other science delivery activities will be developed as needed in response to needs identified.
