Our programs support the generation of new research and the synthesis of existing research on climate risks and adaptation options, as well as promote collaboration and dialogue between research and management communities across the region.

Our Research Fellowship program provides competitive, one-year fellowships to graduate students and postdoctoral fellows at our consortium universities to conduct actionable climate adaptation research. This program enables graduate students and postdocs from a variety of scientific backgrounds to collaborate with natural resource managers and decision-makers while receiving training in the principles of actionable science.

Similarly, our Faculty Fellowship Program program provides funding to small cohorts of faculty across the NW CASC consortium, along with a condensed version of the actionable science training provided in the Research Fellowship Program. Instead of funding new climate adaptation projects, the Faculty Fellowship Program provides funding to translate existing research that aligns with NW CASC science priorities into a format easily used by resource managers in their climate adaptation decisions. For this reason, it’s considered a “last mile” program, helping researchers take their science the last mile past publication to make sure findings are accessible and useful to decision makers.

Each year, as part of its Actionable Science Deep Dive Program, the NW RISCC convenes researchers, practitioners and students to assess the state of knowledge and practice associated with an emerging climate risk. Each Deep Dive aims to facilitate community development of an Actionable Science Agenda that outlines knowledge gaps and research needs and identifies opportunities to advance adaptation by linking science and practice.

The NW CASC hosts the Northwest Regional Invasive Species and Climate Change Network (NW RISCC). Coordinated by the NW CASC and overseen by an advisory team, the NW RISCC explores on-the-ground strategies for managing invasives in the Northwest under climate change and identifies regional research needs and opportunities. It does this through compiling and sharing relevant resources like management briefs, research summaries and journal articles and through convening scientists and practitioners through symposiums and webinars.