The University of Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership (MCAP) offers critical resources and training to help communities respond to changing climate conditions and prepare for the years to come. 

Affiliated with both University of Minnesota Extension and the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, we perform foundational climate research while also offering hands-on support to individuals and organizations across a range of backgrounds and industries in Minnesota, the Midwest region and beyond. 

Areas of Expertise

Climate Data & Decision-making

We developed and maintain MN CliMAT, an interactive online tool that offers highly localized climate projections for Minnesota. It provides detailed information on future climate variables such as temperature, precipitation, snow depth, ice cover and soil moisture — data critical to adaptation efforts across the state.

Agriculture & Food Systems

We work with agriculture and food systems professionals to develop strategies for seed selection, cover crops, tillage and other land management practices to mitigate climate-related risks. We're developing an online tool to help navigate conditions like extreme heat, excess water and drought. In partnership with the USDA Midwest Climate Hub, we are fostering connections with Tribal food systems managers and harvesters to strengthen climate resilience. We also offer guidance on investment in new stewardship practices and climate change communications for farm advisors. 

Forestry

We deliver research-based programs to help the forestry sector build resilient operations. In partnership with the University of Minnesota Extension Department of Forest Resources and the Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science, we coordinate the Forest Climate Working Group. This is a broad coalition representing a cross-section of the forestry community with the goal of increasing communication, coordination and collaboration about climate change impacts, adaptation, and mitigation.

Public Health

We deliver research-based programs at the intersection of climate change and public health. This includes helping public health and emergency management professionals from all corners of the state understand, prepare for, and manage climate-driven health threats such as extreme weather, exposure to high heat, changes in air quality and vector-borne diseases. We have a close partnership with the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at UMN, focusing specifically on planetary health. 

Water Resources

Working with partners at the US Geological Survey, we are creating new information about the interactions between Minnesota’s changing climate and groundwater recharge, evapotranspiration, runoff, and crop water demand to help communities and individuals address issues around irrigation, drinking water, and impacts to lakes and rivers. Leveraging our highly localized climate change projections for Minnesota, we are also assessing future change in the duration, frequency and magnitude of heavy precipitation and drought events. 

Climate Communication

Communication is foundational to our work. We believe accessible, local and evidence-based climate information should be available to all. We support a range of climate change communication projects including helping build skills of scientists and community members to be effective climate communicators. Through our involvement in the Center for Oldest Ice Exploration (COLDEX), we work closely with journalists nationwide to develop more informed reporting on climate change. 

Technical Assistance

We work with federal, state, tribal and municipal governments — as well as non-profits and private industry — to support implementation of climate adaptation actions.