G23AC00517

Project Title: Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center Host
Project Dates: 8/1/2023 through 7/31/2028
Award Purpose: The University of Washington (UW) proposes to continue hosting the Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center (NW CASC) in Cycle 2 to build upon its success harnessing the Northwest's extensive expertise in identifying and managing climate risks to support natural and cultural resource managers pursuing climate adaptation, working in close partnership with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to maximize the NW CASC's impact in promoting regional resilience to climate change.

Activities to be performed & Deliverables: The NW CASC Consortium (UW and subaward partners) will:
1) Support research aligned with NW CASC and Department of the Interior Secretarial priorities while
2) Building the capacity of Northwest researchers and managers to co-produce and apply actionable science to inform climate-robust resource management.

NW CASC Research Fellowships (up to 11 years) will support Consortium graduate students and postdoctoral scholars to collaborate with managers to co-produce actionable science to inform resource management in a changing climate. NW CASC Faculty Fellowships (5 years) will support Consortium faculty to collaborate with resource managers to translate relevant research into actionable products and provide related capacity building to support their use. Actionable Science Deep Dives (1 year) will engage Northwest researchers and managers to co-produce knowledge syntheses and identify science and capacity needs to address emerging adaptation challenges.

The Consortium will advance participation of underrepresented groups in science by supporting climate adaptation internships in partnership with the Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program, and adaptation research opportunities for tribal undergraduates through the Northwest Indian College (NWIC) Research Experience for Undergraduates.

Through these and additional activities, including the Actionable Science Webinar Series and the Northwest Climate Conference, the Consortium will continue to promote regional dialogue around developing actionable science to advance climate adaptation. The NW CASC Communications Program will continue to support the Center's programs and activities.

Expected Outcomes & Intended Beneficiary(ies): The recipient will report annually on science outcomes, regional dialogue, capacity-building, and communications accomplishments. At the conclusion of the agreement, the recipient will summarize and evaluate actionable science activities, scientific achievements, capacity-building, and communications highlights.

The beneficiaries of this award include the communities that rely on the continued resilience of the Northwest's natural and cultural resources, the Northwest resource managers and researchers participating in Consortium-funded projects and actionable science deep dives, resource managers benefiting from faculty initiatives in the Faculty Fellowship Program, the broader scientific and research community, and audiences of graduate student and postdoctoral scholar participation in the NW CASC Research Fellowship Program, as well as the undergraduate adaptation research produced by interns and researchers participating in the NWIC Research Experience for Undergraduates and Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program, respectively, and the general public.

Subrecipient Activities: The University of Washington will subaward to the following 8 partners to contribute to the objectives of this project: Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, Boise State University, Northwest Indian College, Oregon State University, Portland State University, University of Montana, Washington State University, and Western Washington University.

University Of Washington

15.820 - National and Regional Climate Adaptation Science Centers

USGS Office of Acquisitions and Grants [DOI - USGS]

Washington United States

State-Wide

National Climate Adaptation Science Center Program (NCASC) (G23AS00651)

Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have increased 221% from $1,333,608 to $4,278,484.