Great Lakes Regional Integrated Sciences & Assessments Center (GLISA) - RISA

GLISA is a member of NOAA's Regional Integrated Sciences and Assessments (RISA) program, which supports climate research for decision-makers and policy planners at a regional level. GLISA is a partnership between the University of Michigan and Michigan State University, housed in the Graham Sustainability Institute's Climate Center. 

GLISA integrates information from a wide array of scientific fields, helps develop collaborations between entities with similar goals, and lends climate information support to decision makers throughout the region. Essentially, users of climate information are connected with generators of climate information.

GLISA researchers are identifying and evaluating sources of downscaled data that are available for the Great Lakes region. By working with cities, watershed groups, and other organizations, GLISA will identify how this data can be provided in the most useful manner and create a web-based interface through which decision makers in the region can access downscaled data.

Since 2011, GLISA has been awarding grants annually to "boundary organizations" that address climate change risks within the region.  For example, in 2013 GLISA awarded 4 one-year grants of up to $50,000 each. Organizations were chosen that can bring together stakeholders from specific sectors or communities to identify and promote understanding of the vulnerabilities, anticipated impacts, and potential for adaptation to climate change and variability. GLISA also supports these activities by identifying and providing relevant information about the historical climate, projected futures, and adaptation to potential impacts.

Phone: (734) 647-6278

Sectors:

• Agriculture and food
• Biodiversity and ecosystems
• Tourism and recreation
• Water resources

Related Organizations:

• NOAA Climate Program Office
• Michigan State University
• Ohio State University
• University of Michigan

Related Resources:

• Lac du Flambeau Climate Change Resilience Initiative
• Great Lakes Adaptation Assessment for Cities (GLAA-C)