North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center

North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center Generating the science to help resource managers in the North Central US adapt to a changing world.

Bison (Bison bison) once shaped prairie ecosystems across the Great Plains, but widespread slaughter during European set...
09/02/2026

Bison (Bison bison) once shaped prairie ecosystems across the Great Plains, but widespread slaughter during European settlement brought them to near extinction. Today, efforts to restore bison also require restoring the diverse and resilient grasslands they depend on.

New research is using plant functional traits to identify native plant species that can withstand drought while providing suitable forage for bison, helping develop seed mixes for grassland restoration in Colorado.

Learn more about this research and how it could support the return of bison and healthier prairie ecosystems in a new blog by RCAP student Sam Ahler: https://nccasc.colorado.edu/blog/bringing-back-bison-colorado-using-plant-functional-traits

NC CASC has been a partner in the Central Grassland Bird Working Group, with Imtiaz Rangwala, our lead climate scientist...
08/25/2026

NC CASC has been a partner in the Central Grassland Bird Working Group, with Imtiaz Rangwala, our lead climate scientist, providing climate science expertise and perspectives on grassland issues across the North Central U.S. region. Over the last three years, scientists, economists, and conservation partners have worked together to develop SPARRO (Spatial Prioritization for Avian Recovery and Rangeland Opportunity) and address a critical gap in consistent, reliable information about grassland bird populations and conservation priorities.

Read more here: https://nccasc.colorado.edu/news/sparro-tool-has-launched

Managing pinyon-juniper woodlands for resilience is becoming increasingly complex as climate change, shifting disturbanc...
08/24/2026

Managing pinyon-juniper woodlands for resilience is becoming increasingly complex as climate change, shifting disturbance regimes, and diverse management priorities reshape landscapes across the West. Join us for an upcoming NC CASC webinar highlighting collaborative efforts that are advancing the science and practice of pinyon-juniper management. Register on our webinar page here: https://nccasc.colorado.edu/webinars

Prairie dogs are a keystone species of the Great Plains, but periodic outbreaks of sylvatic plague can rapidly devastate...
07/30/2026

Prairie dogs are a keystone species of the Great Plains, but periodic outbreaks of sylvatic plague can rapidly devastate entire colonies, with cascading effects on grassland ecosystems. New research by Ana Davidson (consortium partner for the NC CASC) and collaborators, including NC CASC's lead climate scientist, Imtiaz Rangwala, draws on nearly 30 years of monitoring and observations across the Great Plains to better understand what drives these outbreaks. The team found that while characteristics of prairie dog colonies consistently influence how plague spreads, the effects of weather and climate vary from one location to another. Rather than a one-size-fits-all relationship, local environmental conditions play an important role in determining disease risk. The study also introduces a new analytical framework that captures these location-specific differences, offering a more accurate way to forecast wildlife disease outbreaks and inform conservation planning as climate conditions continue to change.

https://nccasc.colorado.edu/news/new-publication-wildlife-disease-dynamics

New publication now out! https://nccasc.colorado.edu/news/new-publication-now-outWhile adaptation efforts often focus on...
06/24/2026

New publication now out! https://nccasc.colorado.edu/news/new-publication-now-out

While adaptation efforts often focus on ecological and climate science, a new review led by researchers affiliated with the North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center (NC CASC) highlights the critical role that social science plays in supporting climate resilience.

The North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center (NC CASC) held its Year 2 Consortium Meeting from June 2 - 3, 2026, ...
06/16/2026

The North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center (NC CASC) held its Year 2 Consortium Meeting from June 2 - 3, 2026, at the Sustainability, Energy and Environment Community (SEEC) building on the University of Colorado Boulder East Campus. The two-day workshop brought together university researchers, Tribal partners, conservation organizations, and federal scientists to reflect on successes and challenges from the past year while charting a course for future climate adaptation efforts across the North Central region.

Read more here: https://nccasc.colorado.edu/news/nc-casc-annual-consortium-meeting

Aparna Bamzai‑Dodson, Assistant Regional Administrator at the NC CASC within the US Geological Survey (USGS) speaks with...
06/02/2026

Aparna Bamzai‑Dodson, Assistant Regional Administrator at the NC CASC within the US Geological Survey (USGS) speaks with Kit Marie on the "Coffee & Geography" Podcast. Aparna explains how the USGS functions as the science arm of the US Department of the Interior and how the CASC network supports climate adaptation across public lands and resources. Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hew7QrrYZ8

The NC CASC's Rapid Climate Assessment Program (RCAP) is an initiative designed to accelerate actionable climate adaptat...
05/22/2026

The NC CASC's Rapid Climate Assessment Program (RCAP) is an initiative designed to accelerate actionable climate adaptation science across the region. Since launching in 2023, RCAP has supported short-term, high-impact projects that pair graduate researchers with scientists, land managers, Tribal partners, and decision-makers to tackle pressing climate challenges.

Read more here: https://nccasc.colorado.edu/news/rapid-climate-assessments-changing-future

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