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Northwest

The Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center (NW CASC) works to safeguard the natural and cultural resources of the northwest U.S. by producing accessible science on climate change impacts and adaptation actions in a broad range of scientific expertise such as at-risk species and habitats, invasive species and disease, and aquatic, forest, and shrubland ecosystems.

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South Fork Nooksack River Engineered Logjam Effectiveness Project: Are Engineered Logjams Creating Cool-Water Refuges for Pacific Salmon on a Thermally Impaired River?

Pacific salmon need cold water and quality habitat to survive. As climate change continues to increase river temperatures, effective methods to restore cool-water refuges and logjam habitats need to be determined. Many salmon habitat restoration projects in the Pacific Northwest have built engineered logjams (ELJs) to create deep, cool pools and reconnect rivers to floodplains to replenish cool gr
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South Fork Nooksack River Engineered Logjam Effectiveness Project: Are Engineered Logjams Creating Cool-Water Refuges for Pacific Salmon on a Thermally Impaired River?

Pacific salmon need cold water and quality habitat to survive. As climate change continues to increase river temperatures, effective methods to restore cool-water refuges and logjam habitats need to be determined. Many salmon habitat restoration projects in the Pacific Northwest have built engineered logjams (ELJs) to create deep, cool pools and reconnect rivers to floodplains to replenish cool gr
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The Influence of Climate Change on the Vulnerability of At-Risk Amphibians to Disease and Invasive Species in the Northwest

The Pacific Northwest is a hotspot for temperate amphibian biodiversity and is home to many species of salamanders and frogs found nowhere else on earth. Changing climatic conditions threaten habitat for many of these species and may also enhance the risk of disease and invasive species encroachment. State and federal wildlife agencies are in the process of evaluating these threats, but informatio
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The Influence of Climate Change on the Vulnerability of At-Risk Amphibians to Disease and Invasive Species in the Northwest

The Pacific Northwest is a hotspot for temperate amphibian biodiversity and is home to many species of salamanders and frogs found nowhere else on earth. Changing climatic conditions threaten habitat for many of these species and may also enhance the risk of disease and invasive species encroachment. State and federal wildlife agencies are in the process of evaluating these threats, but informatio
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Trajectories of Change: How Climate, Wildfire, and Management Drive Shrubland Ecosystem Transitions

A change in wildfire regimes and the expansion of invasive grasses are degrading sagebrush ecosystems, altering wildlife habitats, and threatening property and human livelihoods. In response, land managers often treat large areas of land with fuel reduction or post-fire seeding treatments in an attempt to reduce these risks. However, the trajectories of ecosystem change following treatment are inc
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Trajectories of Change: How Climate, Wildfire, and Management Drive Shrubland Ecosystem Transitions

A change in wildfire regimes and the expansion of invasive grasses are degrading sagebrush ecosystems, altering wildlife habitats, and threatening property and human livelihoods. In response, land managers often treat large areas of land with fuel reduction or post-fire seeding treatments in an attempt to reduce these risks. However, the trajectories of ecosystem change following treatment are inc
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Alaska Native Tribes, Regional Tribal Consortia, and ANCSA Corporations

Since time immemorial, the Indigenous peoples of Alaska have taken care of the land, water, fish, birds, and wildlife that sustains their livelihood, traditions, and communities. This close relationship with the land, water, and natural world puts these communities at the forefront of climate change impacts. Drawing upon a strong history of adaptation and innovation, Native Alaskans are key...
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Alaska Native Tribes, Regional Tribal Consortia, and ANCSA Corporations

Since time immemorial, the Indigenous peoples of Alaska have taken care of the land, water, fish, birds, and wildlife that sustains their livelihood, traditions, and communities. This close relationship with the land, water, and natural world puts these communities at the forefront of climate change impacts. Drawing upon a strong history of adaptation and innovation, Native Alaskans are key...
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Webinar: Managing Post-Fire, Climate-Induced Vegetation Transitions

View this webinar to learn more about a science and management synthesis on managing post-fire, climate-induced vegetation transitions in the Northwest.
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Webinar: Managing Post-Fire, Climate-Induced Vegetation Transitions

View this webinar to learn more about a science and management synthesis on managing post-fire, climate-induced vegetation transitions in the Northwest.
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Clam Gardens: An Indigenous Community-Driven Climate Adaptation Strategy to Manage Aquatic Species and Habitats in the Pacific Northwest

Healthy shellfish beds provide important ecosystem services, support local economies, and promote human well-being and sense of place. For Coast Salish Tribes, including the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community (SITC), clams are a highly valued traditional food, playing a key role in Coast Salish worldviews. Clam harvests also provide: opportunities for tribal members to exercise their treaty rights;
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Clam Gardens: An Indigenous Community-Driven Climate Adaptation Strategy to Manage Aquatic Species and Habitats in the Pacific Northwest

Healthy shellfish beds provide important ecosystem services, support local economies, and promote human well-being and sense of place. For Coast Salish Tribes, including the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community (SITC), clams are a highly valued traditional food, playing a key role in Coast Salish worldviews. Clam harvests also provide: opportunities for tribal members to exercise their treaty rights;
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Developing a Tribal Resilience Action Database for the Columbia River Basin Tribes

Many tribes are leaders in climate adaptation efforts, using intricate knowledge of their lands to develop and implement sophisticated adaptation strategies combatting a wide variety of climate impacts. In this tradition, Columbia Basin tribes, in partnership with three intertribal consortia, have created an internal database listing tribal resources and strategies to address different climate ris
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Developing a Tribal Resilience Action Database for the Columbia River Basin Tribes

Many tribes are leaders in climate adaptation efforts, using intricate knowledge of their lands to develop and implement sophisticated adaptation strategies combatting a wide variety of climate impacts. In this tradition, Columbia Basin tribes, in partnership with three intertribal consortia, have created an internal database listing tribal resources and strategies to address different climate ris
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Maximizing Trap Efficiency on Lummi Nation Estuarine Habitats to Reduce Ecosystem Impacts from Invasive European Green Crab

Since time immemorial, the nearshore habitats of the Salish Sea, the shared estuarine waters between coastal British Columbia and Washington State, have provided crucial habitats for many culturally important species: nursery areas for Dungeness crab, critical juvenile rearing areas for migrating Pacific salmon, and sedimentary deltas laden with clams and oysters. Together these animals form the b
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Maximizing Trap Efficiency on Lummi Nation Estuarine Habitats to Reduce Ecosystem Impacts from Invasive European Green Crab

Since time immemorial, the nearshore habitats of the Salish Sea, the shared estuarine waters between coastal British Columbia and Washington State, have provided crucial habitats for many culturally important species: nursery areas for Dungeness crab, critical juvenile rearing areas for migrating Pacific salmon, and sedimentary deltas laden with clams and oysters. Together these animals form the b
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State of Knowledge Syntheses: Comprehensive, User-Friendly Science Compilations, Data Summaries and Adaptation Guides to Support Management of Northwest Species and Habitat in a Changing Climate

Managing species and habitat in a changing climate requires locally specific information about expected changes in the physical environment, key stressors and related ecological changes. Federal investments have supported the development of a significant scientific knowledge base detailing potential future conditions for many Northwest ecosystem types and geographies. Yet scientists, managers and
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State of Knowledge Syntheses: Comprehensive, User-Friendly Science Compilations, Data Summaries and Adaptation Guides to Support Management of Northwest Species and Habitat in a Changing Climate

Managing species and habitat in a changing climate requires locally specific information about expected changes in the physical environment, key stressors and related ecological changes. Federal investments have supported the development of a significant scientific knowledge base detailing potential future conditions for many Northwest ecosystem types and geographies. Yet scientists, managers and
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Where the Creek Meets the Tide: Effects of Climate Change on Salmon, Homes, and Businesses, and the Squaxin Island Tribe

The Squaxin Island Tribe (SIT) is descended from maritime people who have lived and prospered along the shores of the southernmost inlets of the Salish Sea for millennia. Climate change is projected to result in lower low water flows, higher peak water temperatures, and bigger and more frequent floods, due to both changes in peak flows and sea level rise. These changes could have significant impac
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Where the Creek Meets the Tide: Effects of Climate Change on Salmon, Homes, and Businesses, and the Squaxin Island Tribe

The Squaxin Island Tribe (SIT) is descended from maritime people who have lived and prospered along the shores of the southernmost inlets of the Salish Sea for millennia. Climate change is projected to result in lower low water flows, higher peak water temperatures, and bigger and more frequent floods, due to both changes in peak flows and sea level rise. These changes could have significant impac
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Webinar: Response of Big Sagebrush Plant Communities to Climate Change, Grazing, and Cheatgrass Throughout the 21st Century

View this webinar to learn how warming and changing landscapes will affect big sagebrush plant communities.
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Webinar: Response of Big Sagebrush Plant Communities to Climate Change, Grazing, and Cheatgrass Throughout the 21st Century

View this webinar to learn how warming and changing landscapes will affect big sagebrush plant communities.
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Webinar: Transboundary Connectivity Conservation for a Changing Climate

View this webinar to learn more about planning for transboundary connectivity and identifying possible adaptation options.
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Webinar: Transboundary Connectivity Conservation for a Changing Climate

View this webinar to learn more about planning for transboundary connectivity and identifying possible adaptation options.
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