Skip to main content

March 2026 Newsletter

March 18, 2026
Get our newsletter in your inbox by subscribing here.

Southeast CASC News

We want to extend our immense gratitude to Cari Furiness for her incredible contributions to SE CASC! After 14 years with us in various roles, Cari is heading into a well-earned retirement.

We’re so excited to welcome Erin Voigt into the role of Assistant Consortium Director! 

There’s still time to register for our next science seminar on Understanding the Proliferation of Vines Throughout the Southeast and Caribbean Requires a Multi-Perspective, Multi-Scale Integrative Approach happening on Mar 18 at 1pm ET.

A team of our current Global Change Research Fellows are hosting the Global Change Seminar on Participatory Science in Climate Adaptation Decision-Making on Apr 7 at 3pm ET.

Catch up on the latest researcher spotlights featuring 2025-26 Global Change Research Fellows Maggio Laquidara, Alexa Busby, and Sarah Grace Lott.

Sam Holberg, 2025-26 Global Change Research Fellow, shares his work exploring a potential solution that involves using oyster farms to preserve shorelines in North Carolina. 

2025-26 Global Change Research Fellow Peizhe Li is the co-author of a new article in the Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism on a nationwide assessment of awareness about US national parks .

Lauren Pharr, 2021-22 Global Change Research Fellow, is the lead author on an article exploring how increasing density from population recovery does not explain elevated partial brood loss in a threatened cooperative breeder in Ornithological Applications.

Nils Peterson and Lauren Pharr co-authored an article in Marine Policy assessing public attitudes towards sharks using the Implicit Association Test.

Mitch Eaton is a co-author on 3 new papers on a multireservoir allocation framework, the management-relevant research priorities for a declining raptor species, and American kestrel population trends.

Marcel Bozas co-authored a paper in Ecological Indicators on a tool to monitor hydrologic conditions on tree islands in the Everglades.

Rewatch the February science seminar featuring Paul Armsworth and Louise Vaughn on Accounting for Future Change in Wildlife Action Plans.

Community News from the Southeast

The University of Arkansas, Monticello’s center on waterfowl and wetlands gets $50,000 from the Simmons First Foundation.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Flood Resiliency Blueprint program will hold a public information session on March 25 at 6pm ET. 

Conservation Corridor writes up how to find – and fund – the lands that hold corridors together.

Wildlife conservationists at the Georgia Department of Natural Resources talk through their goals for recovering gopher tortoises.

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians officially regain ownership of the Noquisiyi (Nikwasi) Mound in Franklin.

The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians has begun construction on a workforce training center.

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

  • NOAA Impact Stories. NOAA Office for Coastal Management has put together a repository of impact stories of projects carried out by NOAA grants. Over 252 articles lay out takeaways from these projects and feature pictures and links to more information.
  • National Invasive Species Awareness Week (NISAW) Recordings. The North American Invasive Species Management Association has put together a playlist of all of the sessions that happened during NISAW. This year the theme was “Defending Our Health by Stopping the Spread.” The webinar series features important insights from leading experts.

Publications

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

In this paper, the authors combined data from citizen science programs across the continental US and found declines in overall butterfly abundance over the past 20 years across almost all major regions. They suggest that these populations have the potential for rapid growth and recovery. However, habitat restoration, species-specific interventions, and reducing pesticide use are all likely needed to curb this rapid decline.

A performance comparison of mobile transect methods for heat and humidity prediction in complex urban environments. International Journal of Biometeorology

In this article, the authors used easily accessible and standard instrumentation to gather meteorological and environmental factors relevant to Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) in urban environments. Then they modeled each component of WBGT with machine learning methods to cover a smaller spatial scale. They discuss the viability, challenges, accuracy, applications, and benefits of this novel mobile WBGT mapping method.

Community Voices in Action: A Framework for Flood Resilience Workshops in a Coastal Community. Community Science

In this paper, the authors present a framework for designing trauma-informed, inclusive workshops to support flood resilience planning in a coastal community. They share insights from two workshops held in Wilmington, NC held to understand residents’ perceptions of flood risks, barriers to preparedness, and to explore locally relevant strategies for flood resilience and preparedness.

Opportunities

Student Announcements

The National Wildlife Federation is accepting applications for the 2026 Graduate Student Research Fellowships. Apply by Apr 5.

North Carolina Sea Grant seeks applicants for the NC Coastal Research Fellowship. Apply by Apr 6.

North Carolina Space Grant applications are open for the Sea to Stars Fellowship. Apply by Apr 13.

The Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture at Mississippi State University has a fully funded position M.S. student position. Apply by June 1.

Hiring Announcements

The University of Richmond is hiring a Visiting Assistant Professor of Geography, Environment, and Sustainability. Apply by Mar 27.

The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources is hiring a Head of the Prairie Ridge Ecostation. Apply by Mar 28.

The Harvard Center for Climate, Health, and the Global Environment seeks a Postdoctoral Research Fellow. Apply by Apr 3.

The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences seeks a Postdoctoral scholar focused on cropping systems without pesticides. Apply by Apr 7. 

One Earth is hiring a Senior Director of Programs & Impact. Apply by Apr 10. 

The National Wildlife Federation is hiring a Wildlife Connectivity Specialist. Open until filled.

Auburn University is hiring a Forestry, Wildlife, and Natural Resources Extension Agent. Open until filled.

University of Tennessee, Knoxville is seeking a Post-Doctoral Research Associate in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. Open until filled.

Funding Announcements

NFWF requests pre-proposals for the 2026 National Coastal Resilience Fund. Due by Mar 31.

SERDP ESTCP requests proposals for Natural Hazards Adaptation Technologies. Due by Apr 24.