Building Knowledge Exchange Networks to Support Climate Adaptation in the Interior Southwest

The Interior Southwest (Arizona, Nevada, and Utah) is home to a vast and diverse geography consisting of deep canyons, great expanses of desert, mountain ranges, and forests, as well as diverse human communities. The majority of the land in these states is held by state, federal and tribal entities; and environmental changes pose challenges to the management of these public and tribal lands across the region. Assessing and addressing the information needs of federal, state, and tribal resource managers is a critical part of helping these decision-makers manage risk and adapt to these changes. Identification and evaluation of existing barriers and opportunities for knowledge exchange between scientists and managers within the region is an important step toward building effective adaptation networks. This requires knowledge sharing at a level that has not previously existed, particularly in the Interior Southwest.



To help close these existing information gaps, this project aims to develop and conduct the next generation of scientific assessments that will improve the ability of natural resource managers to use critical scientific information for climate adaptation. The main focal areas of the project include providing 1) recommendations for best practices for integrating science into natural resource management, 2) the information needed to allow managers to prepare in advance for extreme events, and 3) enhanced opportunities for knowledge exchange between scientists and managers. The Southwest CASC is partnering with the Center for Climate Adaptation Science and Solutions at the University of Arizona to organize a working group of scientists and resource managers that will design and implement a regional adaptation and science assessment network. Once established, this network will work to synthesize existing knowledge and evaluate information needs on priority management topics.



This partnership will help support improved translation and transmission of knowledge through meetings, webinars, and workshops. This project will improve natural resource management by helping ensure that scientists are asking and answering management-relevant questions and that managers understand the scientific capabilities and uncertainties surrounding climate adaptation in the region.