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America’s diverse ecosystems are an asset to current and future generations by supporting economically and recreationally important fish, wildlife, and lands. Healthy ecosystems support people and nature, fostering prosperity and enjoyment for all. 

John Tull, Assistant Regional Administrator for the Southwest Climate Adaptation Science Center.

Sarah Groves, data scientist with the National Climate Adaptation Science Center.

America’s diverse ecosystems are an asset to current and future generations by supporting economically and recreationally important fish, wildlife, and lands. Healthy ecosystems support people and nature, fostering prosperity and enjoyment for all. 

While it’s easy to assume there’s not much going on in deserts and other types of drylands, the opposite is true! Come with us to learn more about these underappreciated ecosystems; once you get to know them, we are sure you will love drylands as much as we do!

Emily Fort, Shawn Carter, and Elda Varela-Minder received awards for their roles in founding the CASC network and serving the centers over the past 15 years. 

Anne Kinsinger, USGS Associate Director for the Ecosystems Mission Area, gave NCASC Senior Administrator Doug Beard the CASC Founders Award as part of the CASC Futures Forum meeting in November 2024. 

This 11x17 inch poster displays illustrations from our "Climate Cryptids" series, where we explore the impacts of climate change on cryptids and the places they (allegedly) call home. Explore individual Climate Cryptids illustrations here.

It’s not a year that ends in a 7, but that doesn’t mean it’s not time to think about the Michigan Dogman!

What happens to animals that are losing habitat because of sea level rise? They become ghost fauna. 

Just like “ghost forests” are forests of trees that couldn’t survive once the area was flooded, ghost fauna are animals that can no longer live in their homes once water covers the land.

Bad news, folks. We missed Jackalope season! We’ll have to try again next June 31. Don’t forget to apply for the proper hunting license! (It’s a real thing. Look it up, we’ll wait).

What does it take for a monster to get something to eat around here?

Whether you drink goat blood or water, you’ve been extra thirsty in the desert Southwest lately!

The southwestern U.S. has been experiencing a “megadrought” over the last two decades, straining water resources necessary for ecosystems, agriculture, and communities. Climate change is exacerbating dry conditions, making water shortages more severe.

An Abominable Snowman with no snow? That’s just wrong.

But as temperatures rise, many places are getting less snow than ever, particularly in high mountains and the Arctic. And species adapted to blend into white winter wonderlands are left exposed, unable to sneak away from predators or paparazzi.

Aparna Bamzai-Dodson is the Assistant Regional Administrator of the USGS North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center, a co-production expert, and an avid video gamer. Like an open world game, her career path has not been linear, taking her across a complex map of different landscapes and institutions.

Inspired by her work with the CASCs, Aparna pursued a PhD in applied social science at the University of Oklahoma. She was deliberate about choosing an academic committee who understood her goals of having an “applied” dissertation, to continue working at her job with the CASC network, and to not pursue an academic career after graduating.

In her current role, Aparna is a CASC "superhero", with a supernatural ability to bring together diverse perspectives to create useful and usable science. 

Level 3 Stats:

• Health: 90
• Network: 75
• Defense: 80
• Charisma: 90

Skills: Bringing people together, problem solver, unflappable attitude

Aparna began her career with a degree in statistics working as a business consultant. 

Level 1 Stats:

• Health: 50
• Network: 30
• Defense: 42
• Charisma: 60

Skills: Service oriented, process thinker, human geographer, collaboration

As a CASC superhero, Aparna brings together diverse groups to help ensure everyone's perspectives are included and valued in the scientific process.

Aparna leveled up professionally when she decided to leave consulting for a career in science, a better fit for her. She went completed a master’s degree in the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University, began a PhD at U.C. Berkeley, and took a job at the South Central CASC.

With the help of her mentors, Aparna discovers new heights, becoming a CASC actionable science superhero.