From the center announcement:
"Three faculty members from the University of Minnesota’s College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) will serve as leaders in the new Midwest CASC.
- Susan Galatowitsch, PhD, professor in the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology — co-PI and Midwest CASC Advisor for Graduate Trainees
- Heidi Roop, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Soil, Water and Climate, and Extension specialist — Midwest CASC Program Lead for Capacity-Building
- Michael Dockry, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Forest Resources — Midwest CASC Program Lead for Tribal Relations
In their Midwest CASC leadership roles, Galatowitsch, Roop, and Dockry will apply their extensive expertise to build a Center that advances adaptation science and the practice of 'actionable science' across the Midwest region. Actionable science has evolved rapidly over the last decade, and the CASC network has established itself as a leader in the field. It is described by CASC as user-focused, action-oriented science that addresses real-world climate adaptation challenges.
'I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to serve on the Midwest CASC leadership team,' said Roop. 'The Midwest CASC brings together an impressive consortium of partners who all add their unique expertise, experiences, and perspectives to the Center to help us accelerate adaptation actions across the Midwest. Together, we are deeply committed to not only advancing the science, but also supporting and being responsive to the many on-the-ground needs of our region’s communities, natural resource managers, Tribes, and conservation organizations as they confront the challenges of climate change. As we begin our work, I’m looking forward to strengthening current relationships and engaging new partners to develop and exchange knowledge.'
The Midwest CASC will pay particular attention to engage and support Tribes’ climate adaptation science goals to manage and protect land, water and natural resources, and treaty resources. The Midwest CASC builds on the unique and robust experience and leadership of Midwest Tribes with adaptation science and practice. This includes a summer research experience for undergraduates focused on Tribal participation to train the climate scientists of the future."
