As we wrap up the year, let’s take a look back at everything that SE CASC achieved in 2025!

In 2025 we…

Connected in Person

Co-hosted the 2025 Drought and Aquatic Ecosystems in the Southeast Workshop with NOAA NIDIS in Raleigh, NC.

• Launched DEWD: Drought and Ecosystem Workshop Database

Co-organized the 2025 Caribbean Conservation Community of Practice meeting in St. Thomas, USVI with SECAS and many other partners.

Hosted the 2025 SE CASC Science Symposium in Asheville, NC.

Connected Virtually

Over the course of the year we hosted 8 webinars as a part of our science seminar series:

• New Projects Lightning Talks
• Science Needs Related to Harmful Algal Blooms and Climate Change
• The Role of Conservation Social Science in Improving Natural Resource Management Adaptations
• Update and New Directions: The Department of the Interior Nature-based Solutions Roadmap
• Integrating Sea Level Rise Scenarios Into Everglades Restoration Planning
• Managing for Aquatic Ecological Drought with Kasia Nikiel and Elliot Wickham
• 2025-26 Global Change Research Fellows In Focus – 3-Minute Theses Presentations
• Collaboratively Assessing the Status & Vulnerability of Bees in the Southeast and US Caribbean for Effective Management Action

Welcomed New Staff

In 2025, we added four talented staff to the Southeast CASC:

• Hailey Shanovich, re-started her role as a USGS Research Ecologist
• Sierra Perez, postdoctoral research scholar
• Hannah Desrochers, postdoctoral research scholar
• Gabriela Quinlan, postdoctoral research scholar

Bid Farewell

• Mitch Eaton retired after 17 years of public service
• Adam Terando moved to Iberostar as their Director of Climate Action
• Kasia Nikiel is still close by in her new role on the CASC Climate Adaptation Technical Services (CATS) team

Introduced a new cohort of Global Change Research Fellows from across the Consortium

The fellows began their program virtually, starting their year with classes on team science, science communications, climate modeling, analysis techniques, how to use AI for synthesis, co-production and actionable science, working with tribes, and decision analysis.

In November, the fellows hosted a global change seminar on Decision Support Tools for Stakeholders in the Coastal Southeast, USA

In December they had a chance to convene at the field intensive in the Albemarle Sound in North Carolina where they met with partners, got their hands dirty doing some data collection, and explored the region.

The following Researcher Spotlights were shared:

• Asmit Neupane
• Cory McKinstry
• Alyssa Tomb
• Sam Holberg
• Peizhe Li

Stay tuned for more Researcher Spotlights on our Global Change Research Fellows in 2026!

Wrapped the 2024-25 Global Change Research Fellows cohort after an excellent year together

Hosted a global change webinar on Leveraging Geospatial Tools for Effective Environmental Planning – A Hurricane Helene Case Study

Hosted 2025 Science and Communications summer interns

Hear from our 2025 Science and Communications summer interns Joleen Buchanan and Juan Gordon Jr:

• Summer Internship Reflections: Joleen Buchanan
• Summer Internship Reflections: Juan Gordon Jr.

Released Publications

In 2025, we added 9 new publications to our database of peer-reviewed reports and journal articles supported by SE CASC:

• A Wetter, Hotter South is Changing the Economics of Forestry
• Curly Leaves Burn Fast and Hot
• The Everglades Restoration is Shaping Better Tools for All Managers 
• Synthesis of Observed Field Salinity Ranges for Oyster and Seagrass Species in the U.S.
• Long-Term Trends in Juvenile Blue Crab Recruitment Patterns in a Wind-Driven Estuary
• RAD (Resist-Accept-Direct) switch points and triggers for adaptation planning
• Impacts of climate change on land management and wildland fire smoke in the Southeastern United States
• Exploring internal phosphorus loads and management interventions through Bayesian reservoir modeling
• Projections of future climate for U.S. national assessments: past, present, future
• A review of the effects of climate change on visitor use in US public lands and waters

Developed New Products

Told the story of SE CASC with new products, such as:

• Ten Ways SE CASC is Strengthening the Southeast
• Introducing the Project Explorer
• Data Release: Climate Change in State Wildlife Action Plans
• Southeast CASC Tribal Resources Hub
• SE CASC Glossary: What Does Climate Adaptation Mean?

Launched New Projects

• Identifying Climate Science Priorities Among Partners in Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee
• Habitat Evaluation Framework for Eastern Hellbender Recovery in Western NC Post-Hurricane Helene
• Bridging the Gap: Integrating Water Resource Management and Ecosystem Science for Climate Adaptation in Florida

Recapped Phase II of the Southeast CASC

Coming up in 2026:

Internships & Fellowships

• Applications are open for 2026-27 Global Change Research Fellows until Jan 12, 2026.