Forest ThreatNet

Credible, science-based, and relevant information and tools are critical for the natural resource manager who must develop an effective plan to help ecosystems adapt to a changing climate—but, how does one begin to sort through endless quantities of climate change-related research articles, web sites, and technology? To assist managers with this challenge, the web-based Climate Change Resource Center (CCRC) was created to streamline and simplify access to a vast collection of climate change materials that inform and support natural resource management decision making. Originally developed with a focus on western U.S. forests and grasslands, the CCRC is now being expanded to include information and tools that can be applied at a national scale on public as well as privately owned lands.

The CCRC is a joint project sponsored by the Forest Service Research Stations (Pacific Northwest, Pacific Southwest, Rocky Mountain, Northern, and Southern) as well as EFETAC and its sister Center, the Western Wildland Environmental Threat Assessment Center. EFETAC’s Perdita Spriggs, communications director, and Stephanie Worley Firley, biological science information specialist, serve on a collaborative development team responsible for coordinating the CCRC’s regular updates and additions of educational information, such as basic science modules explaining climate and climate impacts, decision-support models, maps, simulations, case studies, and toolkits. The development team carefully evaluates potential new material for CCRC inclusion with the objective of selecting information and tools with the greatest utility for the target audience.

Currently, more than 20 scientists representing all research stations are working with the CCRC development team to refine older content and create new, original content, including syntheses of scientific literature as well as video lectures on ecosystem response, adaptation, and mitigation. Future phases of the CCRC’s expansion will involve additional scientists and experts from a variety of disciplines across the Forest Service. “As the CCRC expands, we hope to really engage diverse audiences in climate change science, focusing on tools and information that anticipate land manager needs,” says Spriggs. “The CCRC’s user-friendly design and multimedia features provide a dynamic environment that guides users through resources that encourage them to visit the site often for new and enhanced information.”

Spriggs and Worley Firley are joined on the development team by Chris Swanston (co-chair), Kristen Schmitt, and Sarah Hines–Northern Research Station and Michael Furniss (founder and co-chair), Jeffrey Guntle, and Andy Alm–Pacific Northwest Research Station.

Visit the CCRC and provide feedback at http://www.fs.fed.us/ccrc.


First Friday All Climate Change Talks Connect People and Research

Since June 2010, EFETAC has hosted First Friday All Climate Change Talks (FFACCTs), virtual information sharing forums for research activities focused on climate change impacts to eastern forest ecosystems. Held on the first Friday of each month, FFACCTs bring together scientists and staff from the Forest Service Northern and Southern Research Stations, Washington Office, the National Forest System, and State and Private Forestry for presentations, updates, and “round robin” discussions through video, internet, and telephone conferencing.

EFETAC ecologist Steve McNulty, who conceptualized FFACCTs, says, “Climate change research is an ongoing priority in the Forest Service and requires contributions from a great number of people. As a regular event that engages those directly involved in climate change science, FFACCTs strengthen the network of researchers and staff and help them identify complementary projects and potential opportunities for collaboration.”

Visit http://www.forestthreats.org/news-events/ffaccts for more information and to view archived FFACCTs presentations and related resources.