December 2023 Newsletter
Welcome to the Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center’s December 2023 Newsletter.
For news and upcoming events related to the Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center, subscribe to our monthly newsletter
SE CASC News | Resources | Publications | Tribal News | Partner News | Webinars | Events | Opportunities
Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center News
We at the Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center extend warm wishes for a safe, joyful holiday season and healthy, prosperous New Year!
A year in review! Take a look back on all SE CASC has pursued and accomplished this year. Read the 2023 Southeast CASC Retrospective here.
SE CASC Research Affiliate applications are now open for faculty and staff at SE CASC Consortium institutions! More information and application.
Join us for the first SE CASC science seminar of 2024 jointly sponsored with Atlantic Botanical Garden and SECAS, Southeastern Plants Regional Species of Greatest Conservation Need, Jan. 18, 10AM ET. Learn more and register.
Mark your calendars for the first talk in our co-sponsored, Southeast National Climate Assessment Webinar Series, Key Message 1: Regional Growth Increases Climate Risks on Jan. 18, 11AM ET. Register here.
View a summary and recording of the November Global Change Seminar, Exploring the Significance of Environmental Justice in Science, hosted by Global Change Research Fellows.
View a recording of our November SE CASC Science Seminar, Climate Change Impacts on Brook Trout Populations in the Southeastern USA, by Project PI Yoichiro Kanno (CSU).
View a recording of this month’s SE CASC Science Seminar, Results for the Southeast from the 2022 AFWA Climate Adaptation Survey Report, by Jacob Blandford (AFWA).
Researcher Spotlights: Learn more about Global Change Research Fellows, Thomas Thelen and Laura Taylor.
Several Project PIs released a new paper by Boone et al., Robust assessment of associations between weather and eastern wild turkey nest success, product of SE CASC project, Assessing the Climate Vulnerability of Wild Turkeys Across the Southeastern U.S. Read the press release.
Project PIs Chris Moorman and Wesley Boone were featured in the Washington Post for their wild turkey work.
2016-17 Global Change Fellow Jessica Kettenbach and Consortium Director Rebecca Irwin are co-authors to Bee species richness through time in an urbanizing landscape of the southeastern United States. Read the press release.
2022-23 Global Change Fellow Murry Burgess is author of a children’s book, Sparrow Loves Birds, slated to be published in June 2024.
Consortium PI Paul Armsworth is co-author to US-based and international environmental nongovernmental organizations use social media, but few have large audiences online.
Consortium PI Ryan Emanuel is co-author to Tribal Coastal Resilience Report presented at Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Partnership Leadership Council in October.
Consortium PI Lydia Olander & Katie Warnell are featured experts on the DOI Nature-Based Solutions Roadmap. View the news release.
Conservation Corridor: Forest edges and climate shift plant phenology
Project Spotlight
Characterizing Climate Change Impacts on Species Ecology to Support Species Status Assessments
SE CASC Researchers including Ryan Boyles and Kasia Nikiel have partnered with the Midwest CASC to provide technical support to Species Status Assessment using the best available science for both the species ecology and the climate information. In order to inform decisions under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has been generating Species Status Assessments (SSA) since 2016. These scientific documents are intended to capture all biological information required for listing and management decisions. Long form reports are intended to be produced alongside the SSA and provide a peer-reviewed document that can be cited by the SSA team and other researchers. Current reports are being published as individual chapters to an overall USGS open file report. Learn more.
Resources
2023 State of Climate Services: Health. This report was organized by the World Meteorological Organization. Learn more.
National Climate Resilience Framework was developed by the White House to function as a foundation for near-term and longer-term climate resilience efforts. Learn more.
National CASC Public Domain climate illustrations offer images that are free to download and use without attribution to help explain climate concepts. Learn more.
Interactive Sea-level Rise Tool for American Samoa was developed by Pacific Islands CASC to help visualize and plan for the threats of sea-level rise. Learn more.
National Climate Change Viewer Tool was designed by USGS for visualizing climate projections across the contiguous United States. Learn more.
In the Media
Here’s what NC needs to know about climate change in a new 2,000-page federal report | The News & Observer
Why Warblers Flock to Wealthier Neighborhoods | NY Times
Latest climate assessment reveals how much climate change is costing Americans | PBS
Scuppernong River study takes regional look at water woes | Coastal Review
Climate change is causing problems for reindeer | ScienceNorway.no
Notable Publications
Future exposure of forest ecosystems to multi-year drought in the United States
This paper summarizes exposure to 36-month drought for forests across the conterminous United States using the Standardized Precipitation-Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) on forest inventory plot locations. This research can be combined with information about the sensitivities and adaptive capacities of forest ecosystems to prioritize drought adaptation efforts and promote resilient forests. Link to article.
Observing coastal wetland transitions using national land cover products
This study shows that coastal land cover maps in the US can be used to assess and understand estuarine vegetated wetland changes. Quantifying changes to estuarine vegetated wetlands over time can help inform current and future decisions on land management and resource stewardship. Link to article.
Springing forward: Migrating songbirds catch up with the start of spring in North America
Researchers used a continent-wide automated radio telemetry network to track individual songbirds on spring migration between the U.S. Gulf Coast region and northern locations closer to their breeding grounds. Songbirds exhibit a ‘catching up’ pattern with individuals migrating faster than the green wave of spring onset, effectively closing in on the start of spring as they approached breeding areas. Link to article.
The state of play in invasive species policy: Insights from invasive species laws and regulations in 21 US states
Researchers conducted a comprehensive survey of invasion-related laws and regulations in 21 eastern US states. They identified 706 policy chapters that were enacted after 1970. The policies on terrestrial invasions outnumbered those for aquatic habitats, although the states farther east generally had a higher proportion of aquatic policies. Across all of the chapters, 1,200 unique species were identified, 523 of which are listed as introduced or invasive. Link to article.
Using Lidar to Find the Southeast’s Remnant Rivercane
Rivercane alters its local environments, boosts biodiversity and biomass, and protects streambanks from erosion and storm damage. Rivercane was found on about 9% of the floodplain study area. Their technique can be applied in any part of rivercane’s range, and the resulting inventory used in support of both cultural and ecological goals. Link to article.
Tribal News
Visit USET Climate Change Headlines for updates on information regarding climate science events, funding opportunities, best practices, and highlights from across the USET region.
An executive order to usher in the next era of tribal self-determination has been signed. Learn more.
University of Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership is hiring a Tribal Climate Adaptation and Resilience Extension-Educator. Learn more and apply by Jan. 1.
U.S. Department of the Interior is hiring its first Director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ new Office of Indigenous Connectivity and Technology! Learn more and apply by Jan. 4.
CEC is accepting applications for projects to fund under NAPECA. Learn more and submit proposals by Jan. 18.
Tribes are eligible for funding through the Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants. Learn more.
The Native Youth Climate Adaptation Leadership Congress (NYCALC) is being held June 23-28 in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. Student and mentor applications are due by March 15. Learn more.
Regional Partner News
Audubon NC: Marsh Restoration Projects Take Shape at Audubon’s Pine Island Sanctuary
NIDIS releases Drought Assessment in a Changing Climate: Priority Actions & Research Needs
NOAA and NFWF announce $144 million in grants to support coastal resilience projects.
SECAS: How the Southeast Conservation Blueprint addresses climate change.
Webinars
Find more upcoming events in our calendar.
Dec. 19 | 1pm-2:30pm | Ecological Forestry in the Context of Climate Change
Dec. 20 | 9am-11am | Climate Careers Webinars: Communications Jobs in International Organizations
Jan. 4 | 9am-10am | Climate & Conservation Coffee (virtual)
Jan. 5 | 1pm-2pm | First Friday All Climate Change Talks
Jan. 10 | 3pm-4pm | NCA5 Webinar: Earth System Processes
Jan. 11 | 3pm-4pm | NCA5 Webinar: Mitigation
Jan. 12 | 12pm-1pm | NCA5 Webinar: Ecosystems
Jan. 16 | 1-2:30pm | Ecological Forestry in the Context of Climate Change
Jan. 18 | 10am-11am | SECAS, SE CASC, Atlanta Botanical Garden webinar: Southeastern Plants Regional Species of Greatest Conservation Need
Jan. 18 | 11am-12pm | Southeast National Climate Assessment Webinar Series, Key Message 1: Regional Growth Increases Climate Risks
Jan. 18 | 11am-12:30pm | Phenology of Fire: Listening to the Plants and Animals
Upcoming Events
Feb. 12-15 | 2024 Social Coast Forum | Charleston, SC
Feb. 18-23 | Ocean Sciences Meeting | New Orleans, LA
Apr. 2-4 | South Central Climate Resilience Forum | Dallas, TX
Opportunities
Student Announcements
SE CASC is offering a paid summer science communication internship for students from minority serving institutions. Applications will open on Jan. 2. Learn more.
SE CASC will also soon be accepting applications for the next cohort of graduate student Global Change Research Fellows. Learn more about the program here.
AIBS is accepting applications for the 2024 Emerging Public Policy Leadership Award. Learn more and apply by Jan. 17.
Science to Action and Diverse Knowledge Systems for Climate Adaptation Fellowships are open to graduate students and CASC consortium institutions. Apply by Jan. 18.
NPS is looking for a Scientists in Parks intern to serve as a Natural Resource Management Assistant in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Learn more and apply by Jan. 21.
NCSU Ramirez Lab is accepting applications for its tropical ecology REU program for the summer of 2024 based in Puerto Rico. Learn more.
CEEJH is now accepting applications for the 2024 Climate Justice Fellows Program. Learn more and apply here.
Hiring Announcements
NOAA is hiring an Environmental Scientist to serve as Regional Learning Services Coordinator in the mid-Atlantic. Learn more and apply by Dec. 26.
MW and NE CASC are hiring Assistant Regional Administrators. Learn more and apply by Dec. 29.
USFS is hiring a biometrician in the southeast Inventory and Monitoring branch. Learn more and apply by Dec. 29.
AK CASC is accepting applications for the Data Integration Fellowship. Learn more and apply by Jan. 5.
Virgin Islands Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research seeks a Research Hydrologist for the territory to support the Watershed Monitoring and Land Use research theme. Learn more and apply by Jan. 31.
SC CASC is hiring a Climate Adaptation Specialist. Learn more and apply by Jan. 31.
US Forest Service Southern Research Station is offering a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Applying a Risk-Based Framework for Ecological Drought. Learn more and apply by Feb. 16.
American Farmland Trust is hiring a Climate & Water Solutions Implementation Specialist. Learn more.
Duke University Office of Climate and Sustainability is hiring a Climate Program Manager. Learn more.
Lynker is hiring a Program Specialist to work with the NOAA Climate Adaptation Partnerships (CAP) Program in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more.
NCICS is hiring a Climate Data Analyst. The position is located in Asheville, NC. Learn more.
SLR International Corporation is seeking a Climate Adaptation and Resilience Planning Technical Discipline Manager. Learn more.
Funding Announcements
NAPECA Grant Program is currently accepting grant applications until Jan. 18. Learn more.
Burroughs Welcome Fund is offering Climate Change and Human Health Seed Grants. Learn more and apply by Jan. 25.
NFWF is soliciting proposals through the Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Grant Program. Learn more and submit your proposal by Jan. 31.
NFWF Longleaf Landscape Stewardship Fund is requesting proposals for 2024. Learn more.
NOAA B-WET provides competitive funding to support locally-relevant, authentic experiential learning for K–12 audiences. Learn more.
Miscellaneous
NOAA has opened applications for their Ocean Guardian Youth Ambassador Program. Individuals aged 13-18 are encouraged to apply by Jan. 5. Learn more.
Global Warming Mitigation Project is awarding the Keeling Curve Prize to 10 global projects working to reduce, replace, or remove greenhouse gases. Learn more and apply by Feb. 12.
After two wonderful years, packed with amazing opportunities and unforgettable friendships, it is with mixed emotions that I say farewell to the Southeast CASC. Beginning in January, I will begin a new position as Program Specialist at the Global One Health Academy at NC State University. Without the mentoring and guidance of Cari Furiness, Michelle Jewell, and many others at the Southeast CASC, I would not be where I am today on my professional journey. For that, I will be forever grateful. And now, this is Kristen signing off on her final newsletter for the Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center.
– Kristen Fontana, ORISE Climate Science Translation & Communications Fellow
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