Empowering Tribal Communities: $4M Grant Boosts Climate Research and Training
South Central CASC consortium members at the University of Oklahoma, the Chickasaw Nation, and the University of New Mexico lead this awarded project.
August 20, 2024
NORMAN, OKLA. – Researchers at the University of Oklahoma, in partnership with the Chickasaw Nation and the University of New Mexico, have received a $4 million grant from the National Science Foundation for their project to establish sustainable research and education partnerships to build climate resilience in tribal communities across Oklahoma and New Mexico.
The principal investigator of the grant is Elinor Martin, Ph.D., an associate professor and Edith Kinney Gaylord Presidential Professor in the OU School of Meteorology. It is funded through the NSF Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, EPSCoR, which aims to advance geographic diversity in STEM fields. EPSCoR boosts research competitiveness in targeted regions through investments in talent and infrastructure. The funding given to the University of Oklahoma, University of New Mexico and the Chickasaw Nation is part of $77.8 million funding initiative supporting 14 projects awarded by EPSCoR.
“Every part of our nation has been impacted by the changing climate. We build a sustainable future for all by investing in climate resilience research and solutions across our country,” said NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan. “By empowering researchers from different EPSCoR jurisdictions and enabling collaborations across diverse institutions from the Mountain West to the Gulf Coast, from the Southwest to the mid-Atlantic and New England and beyond, we are driving innovation that fosters STEM opportunities, economic growth and climate resilient communities.”
“We are working to establish respectful, reciprocal and sustainable research and education partnerships,” said Martin. “A theme throughout the project is adaptation planning. Tribal communities have been adapting [for climate change] and have been at the forefront of this for a long, long time, but they have generally not been included in the research and planning process.”
Jennie Mosely — director of Land Sustainability and Services for the Chickasaw Nation, a principal investigator with the South Central Climate Adaptation Science Center at OU and a lead on this project — says that tribal leadership support is part of what makes this work possible.
“Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby is very supportive of our environmental, natural resources, and wildlife programs as well as our land sustainability,” said Mosely. “He values these partnerships and supports the use of our time, expertise and focus to do what is needed not only for the Chickasaw Nation but for other tribes in Oklahoma as well.”
This project, Enhancing Indigenous Community Resilience to Climate Change Impacts through Partnerships and Co-Development of Adaptation Planning, will improve the resilience and well-being of tribal communities regarding climate change. The research topics will be based on community needs and interests. Mosely says that drought, and consequently water, will be an important area of focus, as well as increasing preparedness for severe weather events.
Current plans include partnering with tribes to build capacity to monitor and manage their own air quality through acquiring new air quality sensors and training community members on how to deploy the sensors and collect and interpret data. The project will also provide water quantity research that will help enable Indigenous communities to evaluate how changes in water quantity will affect their plans for food sovereignty and cultural practices.
On top of the research portion of the project, an education and training branch of work will foster a new generation of Indigenous scientists and students in climate change disciplines.
“Within this grant, a goal is to connect youth with Indigenous elders’ knowledge,” said Mosely. “We want to pass our land knowledge down and make sure we bridge the gap of understanding on our cultural resources and what we can do to protect them.” In the journey to Oklahoma Territory, during removal, our people had to endure hot summers and deadly winters. This journey showed the resilience of Chickasaw people in the pursuit of land. That ties to the work we’ll be doing with this grant and that makes me truly excited,” said Mosely.
A summer internship program will be established for undergraduate and graduate students. Interns from diverse educational backgrounds will engage in practical, community-based projects, often in their own communities. The projects will address real-world issues, providing tangible benefits to the communities involved and the students themselves, aiming to support the long-term career development of Indigenous students and scientists. The program will not only educate future scientists but will also build research capacity. Martin says a majority of the research team have existing connections to tribal communities or are members of tribal communities themselves. Lani Tsinnajinnie, Ph.D., assistant professor in the University of New Mexico’s School of Architecture and Planning and another lead on the project, is also part of the Indigenous Design and Planning Institute, an initiative that engages individuals in culturally responsive practices related to Indigenous design and planning.
Amelia Cook remarks that the curriculum weaves together multiple perspectives, emphasizing the importance of understanding climate resilience from both a scientific and cultural standpoint. This approach strengthens students’ functional climate literacy but also empowers them to become leaders in their communities, equipped with the knowledge and skills to address climate challenges in ways that honor and sustain our cultural heritage.
By prioritizing the needs and interests of these communities, the project aims to create lasting impacts that not only address immediate climate challenges but also foster long-term sustainability and empowerment. Martin says this effort is another step toward recognizing and valuing the contributions of Indigenous communities in the broader scientific and environmental landscape.
Learn more about Martin’s Climate Variability and Change Research Group.
About the project
‘Enhancing Indigenous Community Resilience to Climate Change Impacts through Partnerships and Co-Development of Adaptation Planning’ is funded for $4 million over two years. It is funded through the National Science Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research.
Original press release by OU can be found here.
South Central CASC a partner in $2 million collaborative project award through NOAA
August 5, 2024
The South Central Climate Adaptation Science Center (CASC) at the University of Oklahoma is a partner in a collaborative project awarded almost $2 million by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The project will work to make communities in Southwest Louisiana and Central Acadiana more resilient against climate-related disasters, including hurricanes, wildfires and other severe weather events.
The South Central CASC region includes Oklahoma, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Texas. Tulane University leads the project through the ByWater Institute. Additional partners include the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, the nonprofit organization Micah 6:8 Mission, and the William Averette Anderson Fund.
Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo recently announced the award as part of almost $60 million in funding for projects aimed at strengthening climate resilience in Louisiana. The efforts are part of the Climate Resilience Regional Challenge, a $575 million competitive program funded through the Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act .
Southwest Louisiana and Central Acadiana are defined by their shared natural characteristics, linked climate hazards, and rich culture and history. Many communities in the region are still in the process of recovering from devastating hurricanes Laura and Delta, which both hit the Louisiana coast in 2020. Additional events causing significant destruction in the last two years include severe winter storms, severe flooding, tornadoes, and wildfires.
The project will develop a shared vision and sustainable, resilience-focused action plan for communities in the region. It will advance climate resilience through community-based planning and regional governance, establishing a collaborative that includes multiple jurisdictions and Tribal governments, community-based entities and watershed districts. It aims to strengthen community and governmental capacity for adaptive action responsive to the needs and desires of people within the region, particularly marginalized, underserved and underrepresented communities.
The South Central CASC’s roles in the team will include characterizing climate risks, such as heavy precipitation, sea level rise, and extreme heat; co-designing community engagement processes that emphasize equity; analyzing community engagement results; and developing technical information materials. Dr. Sharon Hausam, Climate Adaptation Planner and Research Scientist, is the South Central CASC team lead, working with Dr. Dolly Na-Yemeh, Climate Adaptation Specialist.
This award is part of the broader NOAA Climate-Ready Coasts initiative, which focuses on investing in high-impact projects that create climate solutions by storing carbon, building resilience to coastal hazards, restoring coastal habitats, building the capacity of underserved communities, and providing employment opportunities.
South Central CASC Acting Assistant Regional Administrator receives USGS STAR award.
May 3, 2024
Acting Assistant Regional Administrator Marina Tomer is recieving a USGS Special Thanks for Achieving Results (START) Award for her amazing work in 2022 and 2023 to support the National and Regional CASCs in developing and implementing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) and Environmental Justice (EJ) efforts. Marina has worked dilligently as a DEIA working group participant, Environmental Justice Lead on the USGS EJ Council, and as a participant in the White House and Department of Interior DEIA/EJ councils.
As the award state, “The CASC network has become a leader in diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) efforts within USGS thanks to the dedication and creativity of many staff. Your efforts have helped to make the CASC network an excellent place to work and a leader in DEIA within USGS and beyond, having a significant positive impact on the DOIs mission to build a workforce that represents the treasures of this Nation – its people.”
Congratulations Marina!
South Central CASC Student Research Assistant NOAA Named Hollings Scholar
May 1, 2024
Liam Thompson, student research assistant, was recently awarded the 2024 NOAA Hollings Scholarship. Liam tells us while the project sites are not out yet “I am definitely going to be on the lookout for a project that allows me to get experience with general/urban climate modeling (e.g. understanding how pollution and aerosols impact our atmospheric circulations / atmospheric radiation budget), understanding the El Nino Southern Oscillation, or something somewhere in between. I am excited to see what I do and where I go with this scholarship.”
Congratulations Liam!
South Central CASC Annual Student Scholarship Award winners
April 29, 2024
Congratulations to the 2024 recipients of our two center scholarships!
Our DGES Scholarship recipients are:
Haylee Kraker – Senior studying Environmental Sustainability
Abby Williams – Junior
Alison Holderbaum – Sophomore in Geographic Information Science and Information Science & Technology
Lucy Brodt – Freshman in Environmental Sustainability and Dietetics
Our International Scholarship recipients are:
Nour Bou Alwan – Chemical Engineering major with a focus in sustainability and will be studying in Paris, France
Courtney Ames – Junior in Meteorology attending Reading, England in the Fall 2024 semester
Makenzie Flynn
South Central CASC University Director awarded Regents’ Award
April 10, 2024
Center University Director Dr. Renee McPherson was selected for the 2024 Regents’ Award for Superior Professional and University Service. She was honored during the 2024 University of Oklahoma Faculty Awards and Honors presentation. You can see the announcement and all other award winners here. Congratulations!
2023 Webinars on Climate Modeling and Extreme Disturbances now available
November 17, 2023
The South Central CASC hosted two webinars in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service Region 8 and the Southeast CASC to provide land managers from Tribes, Federal agencies, and State agencies with relevant information about Climate Modeling (Spring 2023) and Extreme Disturbances (Fall 2023). These webinars continue to build upon the partnership with the U.S. Forest Service that was first established in 2021. Through this partnership, the South Central and Southeast CASCs are building the capacity of decision-makers to manage natural and cultural resources in light of a changing climate.
South Central CASC University Director co-authors Fifth U.S. National Climate Assessment
November 15, 2023
The White House released the Fifth U.S. National Climate Assessment on Tuesday to inform the public and decision-makers across the nation about the status of climate change, its current impacts, and its future risks in the U.S. In addition, the report describes mitigation and adaptation responses that are occurring, as well as new opportunities for economic growth and community resilience.
Renee McPherson, Ph.D., served as the lead author for the Southern Great Plains chapter, which focused on Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. McPherson is an associate professor in the University of Oklahoma’s Department of Geography and Environmental Sustainability and the university director of the South Central Climate Adaptation Science Center.
There will be an opportunity to hear from Dr. McPherson about the Southern Great Plains chapter (26) on December 6, 2023, from 2 to 3 pm central. NCA5 Webinar: Southern Great Plains
“For people in the Southern Great Plains, climate change is affecting how we live, work, and play,” McPherson said. “We can choose to respond in ways that make our communities healthier, more just, and more resilient.”
Renee McPherson, Ph.D., lead author for the Southern Great Plains chapter of the Fifth National Climate Assessment
See below for additional press related to this event.
OU Experts Co-author Fifth U.S. National Climate Assessment (University of Oklahoma) (Enid News & Eagle) (The Norman Transcript)
What the new National Climate Assessment says is in store for Oklahoma (KGOU)
South Central CASC Researcher Presented with Award for Service
September 22, 2023
Dr. Adrienne Wootten, a Research Scientist at the South Central CASC, was presented with an Award of Appreciation for Service in recognition of her work developing climate projections for the Edwards Aquifer Authority and her presentations at the 2023 EDTalks Seminar Series. This series was jointly hosted by the Edwards Aquifer Authority and the Southwest Research Institute.
The EDTalks 2023 can be viewed here. Dr. Wootten is featured in the first two talks, along with our Regional Administrator Dr. Suzanne VanCooten in the first talk.
South Central CASC Welcomes new Regional Administrator!
August 14, 2023
Announcing Suzanne Van Cooten as the new Regional Administrator of the South Central CASC
The USGS Climate Adaptation Science Centers are thrilled to announce that Dr. Suzanne Van Cooten will be the new Regional Administrator of the South Central Climate Adaptation Science Center. In this position (formerly known as “Director”), Suzanne is looking forward to working with Tribal Nations and climate experts in the four-state region to make climate adaptation science accessible to all.
Prior to accepting the Regional Administrator position in the South Central Climate Adaptation Science Center, Suzanne Van Cooten, Ph.D., led the National Weather Service (NWS) efforts to increase NWS recruitment, retention, and respectful engagement with tribal communities as the leader of the Advancing Sustained Collaboration & Engagement with Native Tribes (ASCENT) program within the NWS Office of Organizational Excellence. Suzanne has more than 32 years of service in the NWS, NOAA, and academia. She has served as the Hydrologist In Charge of the National Weather Service (NWS) Lower Mississippi Forecast Center (LMRFC) in Slidell, LA that received the Department of Commerce’s highest honors for decision support services in numerous flood and hurricane events. Prior to LMRFC, she served as Deputy Chief of the Warning Research Development Division (WRDD) at NOAA’s National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL) before accepting an interim IPA assignment to become the University of Oklahoma’s (OU) National Sea Grant Weather and Climate Extension Specialist. She has also served as the Chief Scientist of the NWS National Data Buoy Center, an operational NWS weather forecaster in Fort Worth and New Orleans, a Hydrometeorological Analysis and Support (HAS) forecaster and hydrologist at LMRFC, and regional and national program manager for NWS observing systems.
A citizen of the Chickasaw Nation, Suzanne continues to support efforts to diversify our nation’s STEAM workforce. She has authored peer-reviewed publications and podcasts on this subject and her research findings. Throughout her career, Suzanne has served as a research mentor to NOAA Hollings scholars, NWS Pathways students, and student volunteers at NDBC, NSSL, and LMRFC in addition to serving on M.S. and Ph.D. committees for minority students. She earned a B.S. in Meteorology from OU and M.S. and Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of New Orleans. Learn more about Suzanne here.
South Central CASC a part of University of Oklahoma Researchers Studying Extreme Heat
August 2, 2023
Researchers from the University of Oklahoma, in collaboration with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, are identifying areas that experience the most extreme heat in Oklahoma City as part of NOAA’s 2023 Urban Heat Island mapping campaign. You can read more about the South Central CASC’s involvement in this campaign along with other research partners in this article.
South Central CASC partner EcoRise posts 2022-2023 Oklahoma Impact Report
July 19, 2023
EcoRise posted their Oklahoma Impact Report for the 2022-2023 school year and it highlights the partnership with our center and the impact that pairing has had on students, teachers, and the environment in Oklahoma. We love this partnership! Read the report here.
South Central CASC featured on Podcast
April 27, 2023
University Assistant Director Emma Kuster was featured on The Climate Conversation podcast, along with University Director for the Midwest CASC Jessica Hellman. They discussed Elevating Climate Adaptation Research Through Collaboration highlighting the work that is being done across the CASC network. Give it a listen!
2023 South Central CASC Scholarship Recipients
April 20, 2023
The South Central CASC is proud to announce the 2023 recipients of our scholarships. Six total scholarships were able to be awarded this year thanks to generous support.
South Central Climate Adaptation Science Center International Studies Scholarship
Our first scholarship is the International Studies Scholarship, which is awarded to a student in any field of study enrolled in a University approved Study Abroad program at The University of Oklahoma. We can’t wait to learn more about your adventures abroad.
Emory Otto is an environmental activist that seeks to explore the interconnectedness between human beings and the natural environment. Born and raised in McKinney, TX, she will be finishing up her last semester overseas at Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand and will be receiving her degree in Social Transformation in the Arts combining Environmental Sustainability and Theatre from the University of Oklahoma. While in New Zealand, she will be completing research focused on the impacts of climate change on indigenous groups both physically and culturally. She believes food sovereignty, outdoor recreation, and spiritual wellness should be a right and not a privilege and looks towards a future in holistic sustainability. Outside of school, she is involved in outdoor sports, multi-media art, and theatre, and is a trained caregiver specializing in working with children with special needs.
Liam Thompson is a Freshman at the University of Oklahoma’s School of Meteorology pursuing a Bachelor’s of Science in Meteorology and a Bachelor’s of Science in Environmental Sustainability with a minor in mathematics. He is originally from Alaska and is loving his time in Norman, Oklahoma. His personal long term career goals are still variable, but he is passionate about math and science education, data analysis, and anything to do with research. Some interested research topics include changes in the ecosystem in a post-tornado/hurricane landscape, the global effects of ENSO cycles on the spread of diseases and disruptions to animal migratory patterns, and the most efficient ways communicate meteorology to the general public, government, and business entities.
South Central Climate Adaptation Science Center Scholarship
Our scholarship is for undergraduate students within the Department of Geography and Environmental Sustainability at The University of Oklahoma.
Julia Manipella is a senior from Tulsa, Oklahoma studying Environmental Sustainability, Creative Media Production, and International Studies. In the future, she plans to work in international environmental investigative journalism and documentary film. She hopes to pursue a career covering environmental issues in her community and around the world.
Suraya Yamada-Sapien is a third-year double major in Environmental Sustainability and Women’s and Gender Studies.
Rachel Koch is a senior majoring in Environmental Sustainability and minoring in Political Science and a Student Office Assistant at the South Central CASC. She has experience in researching community resilience, conducting greenhouse gas inventories, and analyzing the human and community impacts of climate change. Rachel has a professional, academic, and personal passion for sustainability and is delighted to receive this scholarship from DGES and the South Central CASC to put towards her studies!
Hello, I’m Carolina Hernandez. I am a junior at the University of Oklahoma, where I am majoring in Geographic Information Science. As part of my studies, I am minoring in Climate Adaptation. As someone who enjoys learning about the world around us and solving problems using technology as well as computer skills, when I discovered that there is a career for this and that one of them involves creating maps digitally, I became very interested in GIS and want to pursue a career in it. The subject of weather and climate also interests me, as well as severe natural disasters. My favorite hobby is running in the early hours of the morning. Additionally, I enjoy playing wonderful music on my clarinet. The scholarship I have been awarded will help me achieve my personal and professional goals in my pursuit of GIS and future career goals.
My name is Braelon Palmer. As of now, I am a freshman at The University of Oklahoma. Studying environmental sustainability. In my free time, I like to serve the community and hang out with friends. My goal is to ultimately educate people on creative, new, sustainable methods to adapt to climate change.
Estefania Velazquez is a first-generation college student getting a bachelor’s in Environmental Sustainability with a minor in Geographic information systems.
CASC Intern Wins Fulbright Scholarship
April 14, 2023
Taylor Broadbent has been at the South Central CASC for the past couple of years. Now as a senior, she is ready to graduate and continue her education into the future. Recently she applied for and was awarded the prestigious Fulbright Scholarship. Thanks to her time with the CASC, the type of research she will be focused on has changed.
My Fulbright Scholarship is to Australia, where I will be attending the University of Melbourne pursuing my Master’s in Public Policy with an emphasis on Global Indigenous Studies. My research will be on writing Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge into policy. I credit the South Central Climate Adaptation Sciences Center for introducing me to ITEK and really Climate Science in general. I am very thankful to the full staff, particularly April and Renee, for mentoring, teaching, and encouraging me to think about how my background in policy could impact indigenous communities and the well-being of our planet.
Grasslands and Climate Training Series
February 17, 2023
North American grasslands are a regional priority for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). In 2022 the South Central Climate Adaptation Science Center (CASC), in partnership with the US FWS Science Applications Program, the Northwest CASC, the North Central CASC, and the Midwest CASC implemented a training series for grasslands conservations practitioners. This included a series of webinars from May through August 2022 and culminated with an in-person Grasslands-Climate Workshop on January 24-25, 2023 in Lakewood, CO.
The training series provided participants with the appropriate knowledge and experience on how to make informed management decisions related to climate change. The in-person workshop included an interactive activity developed by experts from the CASC network, US FWS, the National Park Service (NPS), and the Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science (NIACS) to walk participants through the climate adaptation planning process and introduce them to new tools and ways of thinking about the challenges they face.
Emma Kuster, Assistant University Director at the South Central CASC, said that she “hopes that we can expand this effort in the future and make it relevant for managers of other types of ecosystems beyond grasslands”. Feedback from US FWS members has been positive. You can read more from them in this US FWS story.
The in-person workshop materials along with the webinar series recordings can be found here.
January 17, 2023
South Central CASC-funded researchers asked wetland managers about their perceptions regarding climate change and its impact(s) on areas they manage. In the journal article, the team highlights that there is currently little guidance available to assist wetland managers in developing climate adaptation plans. While there is interest in considering climate adaptation plans, especially regarding variability in precipitation, current constraints limit the current practices for short-term measures and may not reflect long-term adaptation for climate change. However, with additional funding and personnel, these managers noted that they would have a greater capacity to increase the use of multiple adaptation strategies.
In the article, the authors write: “While developing a “one-size-fits-all” adaptation plan for climate change in the Southern Great Plains is not likely to be feasible, our intention is that by highlighting approaches already used by managers to address changing precipitation patterns and to describe the barriers they face, this work can generate greater discussion on how best to move forward to address the effects of climate change on wetlands and facilitate increased collaborations amount individuals and institutions to address these challenges in the future.”