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You're receiving this newsletter because you've participated or expressed interest in climate change-related activities occurring in the Northwoods.
This newsletter features projects, events, and documents related to climate change and northern forests. Our goal is to help you keep up to date on happenings across Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan that are part of the Northwoods Climate Change Response Framework, as well as other efforts.
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Michigan
Expert panel discusses forest vulnerability to climate change
 NIACS organized a workshop in Pellston, MI, in September to discuss how climate change may influence forests in the northern part of the state. Twenty-five experts from a variety of organizations participated in the workshop, including The Forestland Group, Huron Pines, Department of Natural Resources, The Nature Conservancy, Northern Research Station, University of Michigan, Michigan State University, the Ste. St. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, and the Hiawatha and Huron-Manistee National Forests. The results from this workshop will directly inform a forest ecosystem vulnerability assessment being produced as part of the Northwoods Climate Change Response Framework. To learn more please contact Stephen Handler.
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Wisconsin
New project to evaluate economic impacts of climate change
 Dovetail Partners is beginning a project to assess the potential impacts of changing climate conditions on northern Wisconsin's forest sector and other forest-dependent parts of the local economy, such as outdoor tourism and recreation. The project will include a review of existing data and current conditions, development of "what-if" scenarios for the future, and a discussion of impacts and recommendations. Information from this effort will be incorporated into the forest vulnerability assessments underway within the region through the Northwoods Climate Change Response Framework and other projects. Partners include the Great Lakes Forest Alliance, University of Minnesota - Duluth, and NIACS. View the press release or contact Kathryn Fernholz for more.
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Minnesota
Rapid assessment tool for community adaptive capacity
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The International Eelpout Festival attracts over 10,000 people to the small town of Walker, MN, each year. Warm tempertures and low snow levels were a concern at the 2012 festival. |
Communities in the Northwoods will experience ecosystem changes brought by climate change as well as the resulting economic effects. Factors like strong citizen engagement, infrastructure, and planning can help a community tolerate and respond to changing conditions. This is what is meant when we refer to a community's adaptive capacity. Researchers Mae Davenport (U of Minnesota) and Pam Jakes (Forest Service Northern Research Station) are investigating the adaptive capacity of forest-associated communities in northern Minnesota. Using Walker, MN, as a pilot city, they are developing a rapid assessment tool to evaluate and improve a community's adaptive capacity to threats like floods, windstorms, wildfires, or other environmental issues. Results from the pilot study will be available this year, and you can contact Mae Davenport for more information.
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For more information about this newsletter or to suggest an item for a future issue, email Stephen Handler.
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