Olivia LeDee, Ph.D.
Olivia LeDee is the Regional Administrator of the Midwest Climate Adaptation Science Center (MW CASC), one of the nine regional centers that form the National and Regional Climate Adaptation Science Center Network. This position was formerly known as "Center Director".
Olivia completed a Ph.D. in Conservation Biology from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities in 2008. Her dissertation addressed the relationship between non–breeding shorebird populations, landscape conversion, and management of listed species in coastal areas.
From 2008-2012, Olivia’s research focused on qualitatively and quantitatively assessing the vulnerability of wildlife to the direct and indirect impacts of climate change. As a Research Associate and Assistant Scientist in the Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Olivia worked with the Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts and was the lead author of the wildlife assessment. During this time, she worked closely with multiple state and federal agencies and non-governmental organizations to understand the effects of climate change on natural resources and respond with active management.
Olivia previously worked for the State of Minnesota as a Policy and Planning Consultant in the Division of Fish and Wildlife. Her primary responsibility was to provide technical, policy, and decision support on contentious issues and emerging threats, including climate change. She represented the Midwest Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies on both the Department of Interior’s Advisory Committee on Climate Change and Natural Resource Science and the Joint Implementation Working Group of the National Fish, Wildlife, and Plants Climate Adaptation Strategy.
In 2017, she received the Award for Climate Adaptation in the Individual Category from the Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership and an Honorable Mention for the Climate Adaptation Leadership Award for Natural Resources from the Joint Implementation Working Group of the National Fish, Wildlife, and Plants Climate Adaptation Strategy.
Science and Products
Climate Adaptation Scientists of Tomorrow Program
To advance climate adaptation science and increase diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM fields, the Climate Adaptation Scientists of Tomorrow Undergraduate Research Experience brings undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty together with CASC partners to cultivate the next generation of climate scientists.
State Wildlife Action Planning in the Midwest
Technical Assessment of Climate Science Needs in the Midwest
Public Acceptance and Preferences for Climate Change Adaptation in the Midwest
Characterizing Climate Change Impacts on Species Ecology to Support Species Status Assessments
Evaluating Species’ Adaptive Capacity in a Changing Climate: Applications to Natural-Resource Management in the Northwestern U.S.
Development of the Wildlife Adaptation Menu for Resource Managers
Science and Products
Climate Adaptation Scientists of Tomorrow Program
To advance climate adaptation science and increase diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM fields, the Climate Adaptation Scientists of Tomorrow Undergraduate Research Experience brings undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty together with CASC partners to cultivate the next generation of climate scientists.