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
State Wildlife Action Planning in the Midwest
Technical Assessment of Climate Science Needs in the Midwest
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 Program brings undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty together with CASC partners to cultivate the next generation of climate scientists.
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
- Science
State Wildlife Action Planning in the Midwest
As part of the State Wildlife Grant Fund, states are required to submit State Wildlife Plans (SWAPs) every 10 years detailing threats to habitats and species and conservation plans. However, incorporating climate change in SWAPs is voluntary, and capacity/expertise limitations at state agencies have resulted in varied and often only partial consideration of climate change impacts. In response, theTechnical Assessment of Climate Science Needs in the Midwest
In 2020, in partnership with the Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center (NE CASC), the Midwest Climate Adaptation Science Center (MW CASC) completed a four-part process to identify climate science priorities for both the Northeast and Midwest regions. The process included: structured feedback from an advisory committee, the completion of six listening sessions, feedback from project partners,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 Program brings undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty together with CASC partners to cultivate the next generation of climate scientists.
Public Acceptance and Preferences for Climate Change Adaptation in the Midwest
Climate change has the potential to change the kinds and numbers of fish and wildlife that are available for recreationists such as hunters, anglers, and birdwatchers. While we have some knowledge about what changes might look like concerning different fish and wildlife species, very little information is known about how anglers, hunters, and wildlife watchers might view such changes in the areasCharacterizing Climate Change Impacts on Species Ecology to Support Species Status Assessments
Species Status Assessments provide vital information to US Fish and Wildlife for improving considerations for climate change impacts. In the constrained timeline of species listing decisions, it is not always feasible to conduct lengthy quantitative analyses so there is a need for better resources to provide input for rapid decision-making. In this project, the team will work with species status aEvaluating Species’ Adaptive Capacity in a Changing Climate: Applications to Natural-Resource Management in the Northwestern U.S.
Natural resource managers are confronted with the pressing challenge to develop conservation plans that address complex ecological and societal needs against the backdrop of a rapidly changing climate. Climate change vulnerability assessments (CCVAs) provide valuable information that helps guide management and conservation actions in this regard. An essential component to CCVAs is understanding adDevelopment of the Wildlife Adaptation Menu for Resource Managers
The Climate Change Response Framework is an example of a collaborative, cross-boundary approach to create a set of tools, partnerships, and actions to support climate-informed conservation and land management. Historically, this effort has focused on the needs of forest managers and forestry professionals. In recent years, however, there has been increasing demand for science and tools to address - Publications
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