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March 2025 Newsletter

March 19, 2025
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Southeast CASC News

Save the date! The 2025 Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Symposium is scheduled for Sept 9-11, 2025 in Asheville, NC. More details to come.

There’s still time to register for the March 18th Science Seminar on Understanding the Role of Conservation Social Science in Improving Natural Resource Management Adaptations led by 2022-23 Global Change Research Fellow, Julianne Reas.

The 2024-25 Global Change Research Fellows are hosting a seminar on Leveraging Geospatial Tools for Effective Environmental Planning: A Hurricane Helene Case Study on April 2.

Applications are open for Integrative Approaches to Investigate Invasive Species and Landscapes summer internships, with Carla Restrepo, Mona Papes, and S. Luke Flory, learn more and apply by March 28.

2023-24 Global Change Research Fellow, Thomas Thelen, talks about coastal engineering, community engagement, and the Krispy Kreme challenge on the latest SE CASC podcast.

“Distribution and disturbances of ditches across salt marshes” was co-authored by Mitch Eaton and colleagues from NE CASC. 

Paul Armsworth received the 2025 SEC Faculty Achievement Award for excellence in teaching, research and service. Congratulations!

What happens when you put a motion-activated camera in a storm drain? Brett Scheffers is featured in a New York Post article on urban legends.
John Kupfer explains how South Carolina’s suburban growth raises wildfire risks.

Community News from the Southeast

Partners

The NOAA National Hurricane Center set an all-time record for forecast accuracy in 2024.

Kathie Dello from the North Carolina State Climate Office and Rob Dunn from NC State share how risk meets reality as extreme weather events become more common.

Tribal

Visit USET Climate Change Headlines for updates and highlights from across the USET region.  

Patricia Leach is the first female leader of Catawba Nation, as their assistant Chief. 

Catawba Nation’s food distribution center is making use of venison from the deer culling efforts in Tega Cay. 

Gatherings

Webinars

Events

Find more events on our calendar.

Resources and Publications

Resources

  • Marsh Response to Sea Level Rise Dashboard. A National Estuarine Research Reserve team explored the question of how the nation’s tidal marshes are responding to sea level rise in 85 salt marshes across 17 coastal states and 20 estuaries. This dashboard includes a GIS resource, webinar, and reserve reports.
  • Increasing Flood Risk Awareness through a Real Estate Professional Training Program. NOAA Office for Coastal Management shares how Lisa Foster, the Pinellas County flood administrator, and her team developed a training program for real estate professionals that builds their awareness about flood zones and flood insurance, and provides the right tools to inform potential buyers.

Publications

Rapid butterfly declines across the United States during the 21st century. Science 

In this paper, the authors examined records of 12.6 million individual butterflies to look at population trends of butterfly species across the contiguous United States. They found that species-level decline was widespread, with a 22% decrease in abundance from 2000-2020. They suggest that habitat restoration, species-specific interventions, and reducing pesticide use would all be necessary to slow further population decline and offer a path for recovery.

How to model a new invader? US‐invaded range models outperform global or combined range models after 100 occurrences. Ecological Applications

The authors compared species distribution models of invasive species that incorporated global range data and invaded range data to see which model predicted invasive species range more accurately. They found that models using invaded range data offered more accurate predictions because the data was better quality.

Modeling the Responses of Blue Carbon Fluxes in Mississippi River Deltaic Plain Brackish Marshes to Climate Change Induced Hydrologic Conditions. Wetlands

The authors applied a process-driven wetland biogeochemistry model to brackish marsh sites in the Mississippi River Deltaic Plain to measure marsh site responses to future climate scenarios. They found that future changes in soil salinity and water table depth will exacerbate net CO2 emissions from tidal brackish marshes.

Characterizing Compound Inland Flooding Mechanisms and Risks in North America Under Climate Change. Earth’s Future

The authors applied future climate scenarios to global temperature impacts on inland flooding, focusing on two key mechanisms: rain-on-snow and saturation excess flooding. They found that as temperatures rise, rain-on-snow effects will decrease while saturation excess flooding effects will increase. They also suggest that different regions throughout North America have different vulnerability, which may call for targeted flood management strategies in these regions.

Opportunities

Student Announcements

The Southeast CASC is accepting applications for two summer science internship positions. Apply by March 30.

Southwest CASC is accepting applications for their Natural Resources Workforce Development Fellowship. Apply by March 24.

The NC State Hunt Internship program is accepting applications. Apply by March 26.

COMPASS is accepting applications for their Pathfinders: Conservation Leaders program. Apply by April 7.

Western Carolina University is offering scholarships for students to attend the 2025 Cullowhee Conference. Apply by April 14.

The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History has various fellowship opportunities. Apply by May 1.

Hiring Announcements

Boise State University is seeking a post-doctoral research fellow. Open until filled. 

NC State University is seeking a postdoctoral research scholar in the parks and recreation department. Open until Filled. 

The University of Chicago Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth is hiring for many open positions. Open until filled.

Funding Announcements

Burroughs Wellcome Fund has committed $10M for Climate + Health Excellent Centers (CHEX). LOIs are due August 7.