February 2015 Newsletter

News and upcoming events related to the Southeast Climate Science Center. Subscribe to the monthly newsletter here.

—— SE CSC NEWS: ——————————————————
Website Hosted for Cyclone Watch by SE CSC PI: Rob Dunn and Lea Shell, host website for Cyclone Watch, a Cyclone Center Course Module for middle school students. The course module begins to explore the basics of several severe weather systems including the Coriolis effect and how it changes depending on what type of storm you are exploring, classification of cyclones, and the temperature of cyclones and the tools used to identify them. Read more.
New Paper: A Comparison of Hydrologic Models for Ecological Flows and Water Availability: This research article has been accepted for publication in the Ecohydrology Journal. SE CSC is mentioned in the articles acknowledgments. Read more.
Events Page is New and Improved: The Global Change Forum has been improving and updating the Events Page for easy use. Don’t forget to check regularly or download to your calendar feed.  View here.
New: Researcher Spotlight Published on Michael Just: Michael Just was a 2014 Global Change Fellow and is a PhD Student in the Department of Plant and Microbial Biology. He is currently working on the effects of fire in the longleaf pine savanna of North Carolina’s Sandhills. Read his spotlight to see what interesting tools he utilizes as well as what threat of global change Michael finds most concerning. Read more.
—— FEATURED RESOURCE: ——————————————
Changing the Atmosphere, Anthropology, and Climate Change: This new report’s objectives are: to provide a guiding document on anthropology and climate change in its broadest sense, including anthropology’s contributions to, and concerns about, climate change and climate change policy and discourse; to provide commentary on interdisciplinary research relationships; and to identify research frontiers for anthropology with respect to climate change. Read more.
—— RESOURCES: ——————————————————–
The Seven Dimensions of Climate Change: The Climate Outreach & Information Network (COIN), in partnership with the Royal Society of Arts, has begun the monumental task of transitioning climate change from a ‘scientific fact’ to a ‘social fact’ through seven different publications focusing on different dimensions of this scientific and social fact. Read more.
The Great American Adaptation Road Trip: After visiting more than 30 communities across the US that are preparing for climate change, two enterprising authors identify 6 big lessons from ongoing adaptation work in this report by the Georgetown Climate Center. This report explains why these communities have had success implementing their projects and what is needed to prompt climate change preparation in more places across the country. Read more.
Video: Adapting to Change: The film highlights climate change effects on tribes and their resources in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, adaptation, and training. Read more.
NOAA National Sea Grant Resilience Toolkit Released: This toolkit allows users to learn about tools from across the entire Sea Grant network, giving them the opportunity to adapt tool for their own local needs. Read more.
EPA Scenario-Based Projected Changes Map: An online map that provides easy access to localized scenarios of projected changes in total precipitation, precipitation intensity, annual average temperature, year storm events, and sea-level rise from the EPA’s Climate Resilience Evaluation and Awareness Tool. Read more.
—— WEBINARS: ———————————————————-
Climate Action in an Era of Congressional Hostility: February 20, 2015, beginning at 3:30 pm. This webinar is an FCI Distinguished Scholar Seminar with Dr. Michael Gerrard. This talk will explore the controversy, the likely outcomes, and the impact of the US stance on global negotiations. Read more.
Moving Towards Sustainability: Sustainable and Effective Practices for Creating your Water Utility Roadmap: February 23, 2015, 1:00-2:30 pm. Read more.
Application of the Sea-Level Affecting Marshes Model (SLAMM) to New York and Connecticut: February 25 2:00-3:00 pm. This webinar will feature guest speaker Amy Polaczyk of Warren Pinnacle. This presentation will discuss the SLAMM application and results, with a focus on the results of the uncertainty analyses and their implications for identifying appropriate planning, management, and adaptation strategies. Read more.
USA-NPN and the Emerging Climate Risk Lab of Cornell present “Springcasting!”: March 3rd 12:30-1:30 pm. Using historical observations of the timing of leaf-out and bloom in cloned lilacs and honeysuckle and daily observations from nearby weather stations, scientists have been able to determine the weather conditions that precede spring leaf-out in these plants, as a composite for the “start of spring.” This webinar will feature guest speaker Dr. Toby Ault of Cornell University. Read more.
2-Part Webinar on Weather & Winter Severity and Waterfowl Estimates: March 12, 2015, beginning at 10:00 am. Our partners the Northeast Climate Science Center and Gulf Coastal Plains & Ozarks LCC are hosting this two part webinar on utilizing climate aspects, such as the Weather Severity Index and projections of winter severity, to estimate waterfowl numbers and migration. With guest speakers Dr. Michael Schummer and Dr. Michael Notaro this is sure to be very informative. Read more.
—— SEMINARS at NC State, unless otherwise noted: ———
Free Public Screening of Shored Up: February 20, 2015 at 5:30pm in Goose Creek State Park. The NCSU Chapter of the International Association for Society and Natural Resources (IASNR) will be hosting a one time screening of the documentary Shored Up, which will then be followed by a panel discussion led by researchers from NCSU. Shored Up is a documetary that asks tough questions about our coastal communities and our relationship with the land. Read more.
Talk to Joe: A Science Communication Conversation with Joe Palca of NPR: March 6, 2015 from 1:30-3:00pm in 450 Riddick Hall. Come join the College of Sciences as they host a conversation with award-winning science journalist Joe Palca. He will be discussing his transition from science to journalism, the science news cycle, and the role of storytelling in communicating science.
12th Annual Urban Design Conference: Design for Change ‘The Resilient City‘: March 6, 2015 from 8:00am – 5:00pm at the Raleigh Marriott City Center. Hosted by the NCSU College of Design in conjunction with the Department of City Planning, Urban Design Center, and NC State Foundation the 2015 Urban Design Conference will frame relevant topics while case studies and best design practices will examine projects an strategies related to resilience to demographic and population change in cities. Read more.
North Carolina Coastal Conference: April 14, 2014 at the McKimmon Center from 8:30 am – 5:00 pm. Sponsored by the University of North Carolina and hosted by the NC Sea Grant, the NC Coastal Conference is intended to help advance the state’s research, education, and economic development opportunities related to the coast. Read more.
—— UPCOMING EVENTS: ———————————————–
2nd Annual UNC Curriculum for the Environment and Ecology Student Research Symposium: Feb. 22, 2015 at the North Carolina Botanical Garden. Will consist of short oral presentations by students on their research followed by question/answer segments, and poster presentation in the hall. This even will be held from 9 am – 2 pm and is open to the public. Read more.
2015 Climate Leadership Conference: February 23-35, 2015 in Washington, DC. The Climate Leadership Conference is your annual exchange for addressing global climate change through policy, innovation, and business solutions. Forward-thinking leaders from business, government, academia, and the non-profit community convene to explore several aspects of climate change and its effects. Read more.
Next South Conference and Career Fair: February 27, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm at the Biltmore in Atlanta, Georgia. A full day of speakers and panels featuring a who’s who list of industry luminaries plus a career fair with top companies seeking talent for internship and career opportunities. Read more.
Fifth Interagency Conference on Research in the Watersheds: March 2-5, 2015, Charleston, SC. The Interagency Conference on Research in Watersheds (ICRW) brings together watershed scientists, stakeholders, and managers to share scientific advances and management strategies to sustain the country’s water resources. Read more.
Nexus 2015: Water, Food, Energy, and Climate Conference: March 14-15, 2015 at the University of North Carolina. Has been Canceled! Read more.
South Carolina Environmental Conference: March 15-17, 2015 at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center, SC. The theme for this years conference is “We are Water. This theme reminds us all of what we do and who we are. Read more.
WRRI Annual Conference: March 18-19, McKimmon Center, Raleigh, NC. This will be the 17th Annual WRRI Conference, which is the premier conference highlighting diverse topics in water research, management, and policy in NC. The event features concurrent oral presentations, poster presentations, themed panel discussions, ample networking opportunities, and, new this year, hands-on interactive sessions for more in-depth discussions and problem solving related to water resources. Read more.
Coastal GeoTools 2015: March 30-April 2, 2015 in North Charleston, SC. The Coastal GeoTools conference, established in 1999, is typically held every two years and focuses on geospatial data, tools, technology, and information for coastal resource management professionals. Read more.
—— LCC NEWS: ————————————————————
Appalachian:
– Steering Committee Advances the Cooperative’s Conservation Planning Process: Steering committee members and natural and cultural resource experts met at the National Conservation Training Center to advance the Cooperative’s landscape planning initiative. Read more.
– AMJV Partnership Receives $8 Million RCPP Award to Enhance Cerulean Habitat: A project proposal from the Appalachian Mountains Joint Venture (AMJV) Partnership was one of the 115 high-impact projects to receive funding as part of the new Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). Read more.
Caribbean:
– Call for Letters of Interest for Implementing a Value-based Approach to Conservation Design: Deadline to submit application is midnight March 1, 2015 via email. Seeking individuals or teams to provide Structured Decision Making (SDM) expertise to work with the CLCC. Read more.
– NOAA Habitat Blueprint Coastal and Marine Focus Area Grants for Puerto Rico’s Northeast, Reserves, and Culebra Island. Deadline: March 30, 2015. Read more.
– NRCS Conservation Innovation Grants 2015. Pre-Proposals due February 24, 2015. Read more.
– EPA Environmental Education Local Grants Program. Deadline March 6, 2015. Read more.
– Presentations from the Second Puerto Rico National Protected Areas Congress 2014 are now available online. View them here.
Gulf Coastal Plains and Ozark:
– GCPO has added several new members to their team in 2015! Todd Jones-Farrand is now their new science coordinator.  Cynthia Edwards is the new Gulf Coast science support. Finally Dennis Figg is the new coordinator for the Southeast Conservation Adaptation Strategy.
– Calling All Private Lands Resource Managers and Experts: Input Needed to Improve Landowner Engagement: This invitations comes from principal investigators on a project titled, “Assessment of Ecosystem Service Value and Program Delivery Options: Establishment of a Scalable Model for Understanding Landowner Engagement Opportunities”. Read more.
Peninsular Florida:
– Regional Conservation Partnership Program Funds Restore Longleaf Pine, Endangered Species Habitat in Florida: As a part of the new Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) administered by the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, $2 million will go towards restoring dwindling endangered longleaf pine habitat. Read more.
– Florida Natural Resource Meeting Explains New Farm Bill, Seeks Recommendations: In an effort to assist agricultural producers in meeting management goals while protecting natural resources the USDA will conduct a State Technical Advisory Committee meeting to receive recommendations. Read more.
– Florida DEP Closes on Conservation Land Purchase in Southwest Florida: The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), in collaboration with the Trust for Public Land, acquired 620 acres of conservation lands within the Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed (CREW) Florida Forever project. Read more.
South Atlantic:
– Attend a Conservation Blueprint Workshop: The Blueprint is a consistent cross-boundary, cross-organization plan for how to respond to future changes in the South Atlantic region (Urban growth, Climate change, Sea-level rise, etc). Workshop information, read more.
– New South Atlantic Report on Threats to Ecological Systems: This new report assesses threats to the 72 terrestrial ecological systems of the South Atlantic. It also uses nationally and globally consistent approaches to the work can roll up with other efforts in the surrounding regions. Read more.
—— OTHER NEWS: ——————————————————–
Southern Forests’ Ability to Suck Carbon from Air may be Slowing: New findings concern a team of US Forest Service scientists who studied data from 40,000 sites in 11 southern states. They discovered a possible reduction in the ability of these forests to absorb carbon, as seen in an analysis of the carbon accumulation levels in these forests. Read more.
Public and Scientists’ Views on Science and Society New Pew Survey:  New Pew Research Center surveys of citizens and a representative sample of scientists show powerful crosscurrents that both recognize the achievements of scientists and expose stark fissures between scientists and citizens on a range of science, engineering, and technology issues. Read more.
NOAA Fisheries Releases Draft Climate Science Strategy for Public Comment: The Strategy is part of a proactive approach to collect and provide information on changing climate and ocean conditions to research managers. Read more.
—— OPPORTUNITIES: —————————————————–
AmeriCorps Project GEOS is Now Recruiting Members for 2015: GEOS, or Growing Environmental Opportunities through Service, is a ten-month national service program in environmental education and outreach hosted by the Conservation Trust for NC. The program lasts from March 30, 2015 – January 30, 2016 and has a living stipend and education award. Apply here.
The Ecological Society of America Invites Ecologists to an AAAS Workshop on Communicating Climate Science: March 4, 2015, 1:00-5:00pm. Have you often wanted to share your expert knowledge in the pubic conversation about climate change, but don’t know how to get started? Then you are needed at this workshop. This workshop will be hosted at the AAAS Headquarters, 1200 New York Avenue, Washington DC 20005. Read More.
New Peer-Reviewed Journal to be Released on Behalf of the Citizen Science Association: Citizen Science: Theory and Practice is a new open-access, peer-reviewed journal published by Ubiquity Press. It focuses on advancing the field of citizen science by providing a venue for citizen scientists, practitioners, and researchers to share best practices conceiving, developing, implementing, evaluating, and sustaining projects that facilitate public participation in scientific endeavors in any discipline. Now accepting submissions for their official launch! Read more.
Request for Participation in Survey on Southeast US Water Resources: EcoAdapt is conducting a project on water-related climate adaptation activities in the Southeast US. They are examining  resilient water resources conservation, planning, and management practices in our state and need our input for insight the the state of water in the Southeast. Take the survey here.
Abstract Deadline Extended for the 21st International Symposium on Society and Resource Management: The deadline for both organized sessions presentation abstracts has been extended to February 13, 2015 for the International Symposium on Society and Resource Management which will be held June 13-18, 2015 in Charleston, SC. Read more.
Postdoc or Temporary Researcher needed on a Project “Review of Successful Eradications of Invasive Forest Pests and Disease”: Recent graduate or postdoc interested in invasive species, conservation, regulation and policy, as well as interview-type research is needed by the Emerging Threats to Forest research group at the University of Florida’s School of Forest Resources and Conservation in collaboration with the Forest Service. Send your CV and a short application to Jiri Hulcr, the UF Forest Entomology Lab, at Hulcr@ufl.edu. Application Deadline March 15, 2015.
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