Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center

The Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center is one of nine regional Climate Adaptation Science Centers (CASCs) under the Department of the Interior (DOI) managed by the U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) National Climate Adaptation Science Center. CASCs were established under Secretarial Order No. 3289, which called for an expansion of the scope and geographic reach of the DOI's climate-science efforts. CASCs provide scientific information, tools and techniques that land, water, wildlife and cultural resource managers and other interested parties can apply to anticipate, monitor and adapt to climate and ecologically-driven responses at regional-to-local scales. 

The Northeast CASC is hosted by the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. A Consortium was formed to assemble experts in climate science and natural and cultural resources management in the northeast region, including:

• University of Massachusetts - Amherst
• College of Menominee Nation
• Columbia University
• Cornell University
• Michigan State University
• Woodwell Climate Research Center
• University of Missouri
• University of Wisconsin
• University of Vermont
• U.S. Forest Service Northern Research Station

The consortium assembles a team of climatologists, biologists, ecologists and hydrologists who use cutting-edge approaches to address major challenges posed by climate change.

Seven NE CSC Science Themes or priorities were established to guide the center and consortium: 

1. Climate projections and assessments
2. Climate impacts on land-use and land-cover
3. Climate impacts on freshwater resources and ecosystems
4. Climate impacts on Atlantic and Great Lakes coastal and nearshore environments
5. Ecological vulnerability and species response to climate variability and change
6. Impacts of climate variability and change on cultural resources
7. Decision frameworks for evaluating risk and managing natural resources under climate change

Sectors:

• Land management and conservation
• Tribal
• Wildlife

Related Organizations:

• National Climate Adaptation Science Center
• University of Massachusetts
• Columbia University
• Marine Biological Laboratory, University of Chicago
• University of Minnesota
• University of Missouri
• University of Wisconsin
• U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI)
• U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)

Related Resources:

• DOI Secretarial Order 3289 (2010) - Addressing the Impacts of Climate Change on America's Water, Land and Other Natural and Cultural Resources
• Managing Climate Change Refugia for Climate Adaptation
• Massachusetts Wildlife Climate Action Tool