2024 Climate Adaptation Leadership Awards Recognize CASC Partnerships

The Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center, the South Central Climate Adaptation Science Center, and the Southeast Conservation Adaptation Strategy (SECAS) were recognized in the Broad Partnerships category for the AWFA 2024 Climate Adaptation Leadership Awards in Natural Resources!

This award from the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) recognizes the joint work in partnering with state and territory fish and wildlife agencies to address their need for guidance on incorporating climate adaptation into their state wildlife action plans.

Climate Change and Wildlife Action Postdoctoral Fellow, Hailey Shanovich represents SE CASC in this partnership.

“SECAS developed the idea for creating a ‘regional chapter’ to present to each southeastern state or territory that identifies shared conservation goals and areas to facilitate collaboration across jurisdictional boundaries,” says Shanovich.

Shanovich works with consortium PI, Paul Armsworth at the University of Tennessee – Knoxville, who has coordinated the Integrating Climate Change into SWAPs working group that facilitated connections with state and territory partners for both SE CASC and SECAS.

“Being recognized by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies with this award is truly a great honor for our team! Our partnership with the Southeast Conservation Adaptation Strategy and South Central Climate Adaptation Science Center to integrate climate change and adaptation into southeast state wildlife action plans was a huge effort and required the hard work of many, says Shanovich. “It’s a huge step forward for the southeast region and we’re very proud to have been a part of it.”

We also want to congratulate Jason Lee, Program Manager at the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, a partner in this project. Lee was recognized individually in the State and Local Government category.

Congratulations, teams!