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Explore photos, graphics, and illustrations related to projects from across the CASC Network. And be sure to check out our Climate Illustrations page, featuring free-to-download illustrations that help describe tricky climate concepts and explain how climate change affects the world around us. 

Filter Total Items: 638
A wolf-like creature stands on two legs holding a yellow duck floating ring wearing a snorkel stands next to a flooded river.
#ClimateCryptids: Michigan Dogman
#ClimateCryptids: Michigan Dogman
#ClimateCryptids: Michigan Dogman

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!

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!

A poster featuring 10 illustrations of cryptids and how climate change could impact them.
Climate Cryptids Poster (11x17 in)
Climate Cryptids Poster (11x17 in)
Climate Cryptids Poster (11x17 in)

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.

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.

 Illustration of gray/brown bare narrow trees in a swamp with no vegetation. Blue ghosts in the shape of shrews float above.
Ghost Fauna
Ghost Fauna
Ghost Fauna

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.

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.

 A desert landscape dotted with shrubs and grasses. In the foreground is a large rabbit-like creature with antlers.
#ClimateCryptids: Jackalope
#ClimateCryptids: Jackalope
#ClimateCryptids: Jackalope

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).

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).

An arid brown landscape with a dry streambed lite by the moon. In the foreground is a brown animal crouched over a cow skull.
#ClimateCryptids: Chupacabra
#ClimateCryptids: Chupacabra
#ClimateCryptids: Chupacabra

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.

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.

A large red octopus-like creature wraps its tentacles around a fishing boat
#ClimateCryptids: Kraken
#ClimateCryptids: Kraken
#ClimateCryptids: Kraken

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

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

A white Yeti wandering around the foot of a mountain range dotted with pockets of snow on a brown landscape.
#ClimateCryptids: Yeti
#ClimateCryptids: Yeti
#ClimateCryptids: Yeti

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.

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.

"Choose your character" screen for level 3 Aparna (Superhero). She is wearing a blue superhero outfit with a red cape.
Level 3 Aparna: Superhero
Level 3 Aparna: Superhero
Level 3 Aparna: Superhero

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

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

8-bit Aparna jumps on a trampoline held by her mentors, and in the air she sheds her robe to reveal a superhero costume.
Aparna reaches for the stars
Aparna reaches for the stars
Aparna reaches for the stars

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

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

A cartoon Aparna at the start of an 8-bit video-game style map, which leads through science icons and universities.
Aparna Bamzai-Dodson's Career Journey
Aparna Bamzai-Dodson's Career Journey
Aparna Bamzai-Dodson's Career Journey

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.

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.

"Choose your character" of Aparna at level 2 (Doctorate). She is wearing a black graduation gown and cap and holding a degree
Level 2 Aparna: Doctorate
Level 2 Aparna: Doctorate
Level 2 Aparna: Doctorate

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.

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.

8-bit consultant Aparna jumps to hit a Mario-style question block, where a degree appears and the game announces "Level Up!"
Aparna Levels Up
Aparna Levels Up
Aparna Levels Up

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.

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.

"Choose your character" screen for Aparna level 1 (Consultant). She is wearing a purple sweater, jeans, and glasses.
Level 1 Aparna: Consultant
Level 1 Aparna: Consultant
Level 1 Aparna: Consultant

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

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

Superhero Aparna carries a table of people through the air and sets them next to other people, forming new connections.
Aparna as an Actionable Science Superhero
Aparna as an Actionable Science Superhero
Aparna as an Actionable Science Superhero

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

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

A conceptual figure of the RAD decision framework in the shape of a triangle with "Resist", "Accept" and "Direct" as the three main points of the triangle.
RAD conceptual figure.jpg
RAD conceptual figure.jpg
RAD conceptual figure.jpg

The RAD Framework lays out three approaches for making management decisions for systems undergoing ecosystem transformation: 1) Resist, where managers work to maintain or restore ecosystem composition, structure, processes, or function on the basis of historical or acceptable current conditions, 2) Accept, where managers al

The RAD Framework lays out three approaches for making management decisions for systems undergoing ecosystem transformation: 1) Resist, where managers work to maintain or restore ecosystem composition, structure, processes, or function on the basis of historical or acceptable current conditions, 2) Accept, where managers al

A cartoon style infographic explaining the benefits of coral ecosystems.
Coral Ecosystem Services
Coral Ecosystem Services
Coral Ecosystem Services

Coral reefs provide ample opportunities for recreational activities and fishing and add important cultural value to coastal communities. 

They also bolster biodiversity by giving food and shelter to many species. 

The structure of a reef helps dampen waves and protects coastlines from storms and erosion. 

Coral reefs provide ample opportunities for recreational activities and fishing and add important cultural value to coastal communities. 

They also bolster biodiversity by giving food and shelter to many species. 

The structure of a reef helps dampen waves and protects coastlines from storms and erosion. 

Coastal ecosystems that store carbon and carbon flows within these ecosystems. Full alt text in caption.
Blue Carbon
Blue Carbon
Blue Carbon

Blue carbon refers to carbon captured in coastal and ocean ecosystems.

Blue carbon refers to carbon captured in coastal and ocean ecosystems.

A large group of men and women stand for their picture while in front of a fish themed mural.
Fisheries congress 4 crop.jpg
Fisheries congress 4 crop.jpg
Fisheries congress 4 crop.jpg

Director Applegate and staff from Western Fisheries Research Center pose in front of the newly painted mural at the Western Fisheries Research Center’s headquarters. The mural features three swimming salmon, a DNA helix, a microscope, and the USGS logo. (Photo credit: Rachel Reagan, Western Fisheries Research Center)

Director Applegate and staff from Western Fisheries Research Center pose in front of the newly painted mural at the Western Fisheries Research Center’s headquarters. The mural features three swimming salmon, a DNA helix, a microscope, and the USGS logo. (Photo credit: Rachel Reagan, Western Fisheries Research Center)

A group of men and women stand for their picture while in a conference room.
Fisheries congress 2.jpg
Fisheries congress 2.jpg
Fisheries congress 2.jpg

Director Applegate and Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center staff during his visit to the University of Washington. (photo credit: Jenny Dettman, University of Washington)

Director Applegate and Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center staff during his visit to the University of Washington. (photo credit: Jenny Dettman, University of Washington)

A group of men and women standing for their photo while at a conference.
Fisheries congress 3.jpg
Fisheries congress 3.jpg
Fisheries congress 3.jpg

Washington Water Science Center staff welcomed Director Applegate by wearing his signature bowtie. (photo credit: Sarah Dunn, WA Water Science Center).

Washington Water Science Center staff welcomed Director Applegate by wearing his signature bowtie. (photo credit: Sarah Dunn, WA Water Science Center).

stream surrounded by water
Santa Ana River calm day
Santa Ana River calm day
Santa Ana River calm day

The Santa Ana River is the largest river entirely within Southern California in the United States.

The Santa Ana River is the largest river entirely within Southern California in the United States.

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