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January 2026 Newsletter

January 21, 2026
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Southeast CASC News

There’s still time to register for our science seminar happening this afternoon at 1:00pm ET featuring our postdoctoral research team giving Lightning Talks.

Catch the replay of our last science seminar by Hailey Shanovich on Collaboratively Assessing the Status & Vulnerability of Bees in the Southeast and US Caribbean.

Current Global Change Research Fellow, Cornelius Ojo, shares a little about his work in environmental design in the latest researcher spotlight. 

The 2024-25 Global Change Research Fellows contributed to several publications on the SE RISCC website as part of their year-long team science project.

Lauren Pharr, 2021-22 Global Change Research Fellow, looks back on her NC State journey ahead of graduation.

Mitch Eaton and cross-CASC colleagues co-authored a paper in Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment on working toward a shared vision for climate‐informed resource stewardship.

Christopher Galik and Georgina Sanchez propose a new strategy for local governments to make municipalities more resilient against climate change.

Community News from the Southeast

Michael Fedoroff shares new research on how rivercane could help protect the South from future floods.

The SECAS 2025 Southeast Conservation Blueprint is now available.

SE RISCC seeks collaborators to assess species at high risk of invasion in the southeastern United States in current and near-future climate scenarios.

NC State College of Natural Resources outlines how Hurricane Helene’s aftermath raises wildfire risk in western North Carolina.

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Principal Chief Michell Hicks signs an ordinance declaring the first official deer season on Tribal Lands.

Visit USET Climate Change Headlines for highlights from across the USET region

Gatherings

Webinars

Events

Find more events on our calendar.

Resources and Publications

Resources

  • Federally Funded Infrastructure Projects. This Tableau dashboard allows users to visualize Infrastructure Investments and Job Act and Inflation Reduction Act projects. There is also the option to filter across three categories Infrastructure Resilience, Aquatic Restoration and Connectivity, and Terrestrial Restoration and Connectivity. 
  • NOAA Coastal Risk Finder. This interactive tool allows users see what is at risk with various sea level rise and coastal flood scenarios. The tool also provides information and resources about adapting to coastal flood risks and curated lists of coastal resilience efforts in each state.

Publications

Early warning signs of salt marsh drowning indicated by widespread vulnerability from declining belowground plant biomass. PNAS 

The authors looked at belowground biomass as a proxy for salt marsh health to determine salt marsh vulnerability to sea level rise-induced drowning. They used observational modeling to show a shift away from belowground resources towards aboveground stocks. They argue that these belowground resources are critical for salt marsh resilience and that there is a short window to address this incoming marsh drowning. 

Conserving climate-change refugia: Insights from research and practice. Conservation Science and Practice

The authors evaluated studies on climate-change refugia conservation and found that while they have moved from theory to refugia mapping, very few studies have moved towards implementation. They also found significant gaps in those studies of taxonomic groups and geographic regions. They outline advances and obstacles in this area and highlight emerging work bridging the gap between research and implementation.

Toward Co-Designed Earth System Models: Reflecting End-User Priorities in Local Applications From a Modeler’s Perspective. AGU Advances

Earth System Models don’t always include end-users, which can limit the model’s utility, increase epistemic risks, and lead to the misuse of information in decision-making. The authors present two case studies in which modelers and social scientists collaborated with end-users. They argue that this process fosters two-way learning and present a framework for co-designing earth systems models.

Opportunities

Student Announcements

The NC Department of Administration seeks a Wetland Science Communications Intern. Due by Jan 31.

The USET Scholarship Fund has extended their application deadline. Due by Feb 5.

National Academies seeks applications for their Gulf Research Program Science Policy Fellowships. Due by Feb 26.

The Biosphere 2 Research Experiences for Undergrads (REU) program seeks undergraduate applicants. Due by March 1.

Hiring Announcements

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage is hiring a Natural Heritage Tribal Liaison. Apply by Jan 23.

UMass Amherst is hiring an Extension Assistant Professor of Biodiversity Conservation. Apply by Feb 1.

UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant is hiring an Associate Director of Research. Apply by Feb 14.

UMass Boston is hiring a Chair for their new School for the Environment. Open until filled.

The NAFWS job board features many opportunities and is regularly updated. Various closing dates.

Funding Announcements

Gulf of America Alliance is requesting applications for the Biodiversity Net Positive Impact funding opportunity. Due by Jan 30.

The Economic Development Administration is seeking proposals for the FY 2025 Disaster Supplemental Grant Program. Due by March 3.

Climate Smart Communities Initiative is seeking proposals for the 2026 CSCI grants opportunity. Due by March 12.