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February 2026 Newsletter

February 17, 2026
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Southeast CASC News

We’re excited to cheer on Michelle Jewell, our former Communications and Engagement Manager, as she takes on her next adventure pursuing her PhD at the University of Christchurch!

There’s still time to register for our next hybrid science seminar on Accounting for Future Change in Wildlife Action Plans featuring Paul Armstrong and Louise Vaughn on Feb 18 at 10am. Join on NCSU campus or on zoom.

2025-26 Global Change Research Fellow, Payton DeMay shares insights into his work on human perceptions of wildlife in his researcher spotlight.

Register for our March science seminar on Mar 18 at 1pm ET with Carla Restrepo and Mona Papes on how Understanding the Proliferation of Vines Throughout the Southeast and Caribbean Requires a Multi-Perspective, Multi-Scale Integrative Approach. 

Catch up on the Postdoctoral Syntheses Project Lightning Talks featuring Diane J.E. Sturgeon, Hannah Desrochers, and Sierra Perez.

Mitch Eaton co-authored an article on American kestrel population trends and vital rates at the continental scale in Ecosphere, and one on the Constructed value of information to identify management-relevant research priorities in Conservation Biology.

Michael Blazier‘s Fire Management and Herbicides class helped with spring prep work for the pollinator area at the Monticello Sports Complex.

Community News from the Southeast

SERISCC is asking partners across the region to fill out a four-question survey to plan for the year ahead.

NAFWS has put together a storymap of 2026 Events where they will convene, collaborate, and build capacity in Tribal fish and wildlife management.

IPBES experts have put together takeaways for business and finance from the Business and Biodiversity Assessment.

SECAS is convening a group to review the fire frequency indicator for the Southeast Conservation Blueprint.

Conservation Corridor outlines new research on river connectivity across the US.

What’s next for the Lumbee Tribe after federal recognition.

The Noquisiyi Mound in Franklin is one step closer to returning to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

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

  • Indigenous Sovereignty Collection. This collection is a living resource put together by National Estuarine Research Reserve System Science Collaborative. It is meant to help project teams and reserve partners better understand sovereignty and what it means for collaborative science. 
  • Avian Data Monitoring Portal. This portal uses a collection of high resolution aerial photographic surveys of individual nesting bird colonies along the Gulf shores. They have geospatially enabled a searchable portal intended to provide information access to diverse resource stakeholders with emphasis placed on the general public.

Publications

Compounded resilience: a step towards achieving climate mitigation and adaptation in the U.S. built environment. Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change

In this article, the authors argue that mitigation and adaptation to compound climate hazards requires a transformative approach that builds in long-term climate resilience. They outline the policy challenges to adopting strategies that both reduce carbon emissions and adapting to climate disasters entail. They also argue that this can be an opportunity for communities to attract long-term residents.

Identifying the critical elements for a next generation of climate vulnerability assessments for fisheries. Fisheries 

In this article, the authors examine what factors are hindering the broad adoption and integration of climate vulnerability assessment results into fisheries management. They propose an updated framework to existing approaches that more explicitly links ecological and socio-economic systems to provide actionable recommendations for climate-resilient fisheries.

Improving Climate Services for Tribes: Recommendations from a National Survey of Service Users and Providers. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society 

The authors surveyed Tribal climate service users and providers across the U.S. to assess the availability and usefulness of climate services. Their results found that there was a greater need for climate services that support later adaptation stages, such as implementation. They found that existing climate services were often inaccessible or a poor fit for their needs and respondents suggested that data should be tailored to Tribal priorities.

Opportunities

Student Announcements

There is a funded Master of Marine Management position available at Dalhousie University. Apply by Feb 20.  

SeaGrant North Carolina seeks in-state students for the NC STEM Policy Post-Graduate Fellowship. Apply by Mar 9. 

The Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Partnership seeks a summer Communication & Outreach intern. Apply by Apr 3.

The Bullard Center for Environmental and Climate Justice invites HBCU undergraduates to apply for the Environmental Justice Climate Corps summer program. Rolling admissions.

Hiring Announcements

The Ecology Center seeks a Director of Environmental Justice. Apply by Mar 6. 

The Yale School of Environment seeks a Postdoctoral associate. Open until filled.

Arizona State University seeks a Teaching Professor in Sustainability. Open until filled.

The Coastal & Heartland National Estuary Partnership seeks a Research & GIS Manager. Open until filled. 

North Carolina State University seeks a Sustainability Program Coordinator. Open until filled.

Funding Announcements

NFWF requests proposals for the Healthy American Forests Initiative. Due by March 17.

NASEM is seeking applications for Gulf Research Program Grants. Due by Apr 8.

The Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund has multiple funding opportunities for its RESTORE Act Grants program. Due by Oct 31.