Climate Impacts Group

Wide-open spaces for TerrAdapt 

The large-landscape conservation planning tool has spun into an independent non-profit, with CIG’s Andrew Shirk at the helm

When Andrew Shirk and two colleagues first conceived of the large-landscape conservation planning tool, TerrAdapt, in 2018, they knew they were starting something special.

Shirk, research scientist at the Climate Impacts Group, Carly Vynne, biodiversity and climate team lead at RESOLVE, and Gregory Kehm, principal advisor at Gregory Kehm Associates, knew they wanted to help fill a gap in regional-scale conservation planning. “Managers often have great local information to inform natural resource management within their boundaries, but rarely have access to the big picture regional-scale view needed to cooperatively manage the resource across boundaries,” Shirk says. 

Report: Climate Change could polarize streamflow patterns

For Olympic Peninsula rivers, climate change could exacerbate seasonal lows and highs in streamflow. Dr. Crystal Raymond is quoted. 

“It doesn’t take much warming to raise winter temperatures enough for winter precipitation to fall as rain, rather than snow, and runoff in the winter.” – Crystal Raymond 

Now Hiring: Research Scientist – Hydrology

The UW Climate Impacts Group is hiring a new, full-time Research Scientist with a focus on hydrologic change in the northwestern U.S. The Research Scientist will work with CIG’s lead scientists to co-produce applied research, synthesize literature and engage with partners on climate impacts and adaptation related to hydrologic change in the region. To see the full job description, visit the UW Hires website.

This position will conduct research and modeling related to hydrologic change in CIG projects and provide analytical, logistical and management support for projects requiring hydrology expertise. They will co-produce actionable science with project partners and stakeholders; synthesize scientific literature related to hydrologic change, impacts and adaptation; and develop science communication products for diverse audiences. 

Climate assessment finds climate change impacts accelerating 

Crystal Raymond, a research scientist at the UW Climate Impacts Group, highlights the findings of a new federal climate assessment.  

Northwest Climate Resilience Collaborative shares first annual report

The Climate Impacts Group is pleased to share the Northwest Climate Resilience Collaborative’s progress with our first annual report! 

A few highlights from the report include:  

The Tribal Coastal Resilience Portfolio has collaboratively aggregated available climate plans and assessments for 31 individual coastal tribes, as well as plans that focus on multiple tribes. The team, led by Jackson Blalock, Washington Sea Grant, is analyzing the data for content such as specific needs or barriers, existing capabilities, opportunities for collaboration, specific climate adaptation or mitigation actions, potential funding programs, cultural context, and more. 
The Rural Resilience Portfolio has built on work with Chelan County by providing an analysis of socioeconomic data, supporting two local non-profits, and helping to establish a Science Advisory Committee for Chelan County.

More Floods and Worse Floods’ in the Chehalis Basin: Officials Discuss Potential Effects of Climate Change

The Office of the Chehalis Basin isn’t just preparing for this year’s possible flooding events, but is looking ahead using University of Washington climate change models to see what flooding might look like in the state’s second largest river basin by the end of the century. Climate Impacts Group science is referenced. 

Join our team as a Research Scientist!

The UW Climate Impacts Group is hiring a new, full-time Research Scientist with a focus on ecosystems and invasive species. To see the full job description, visit the UW Hires website.

The Research Scientist will support co-produced research and synthesis projects led by the Climate Impacts Group’s senior scientists and work with the U.S. Geological Survey Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center to coordinate the Northwest Regional Invasive Species and Climate Change Network. Focus areas of research and science synthesis will include climate impacts as they relate to species and ecosystems, invasive species, ecological disturbances, and landscape conservation.

We envision this position will: 1) synthesize scientific literature on climate impacts and adaptation relevant for the management of species and ecosystems in the Northwest; 2) coordinate the Northwest Regional Invasive Species and Climate Change Network; and 3) lead stakeholder engagement and coordinate multi-institution projects; and 4) develop climate science reports and associated communications materials for diverse audiences, including resource managers and policy makers.  

Seattle is very thirsty right now

The Seattle area is thirsty and could really use a nice, cold rainy day. According to the National Weather Service, summer 2022 was the driest on record. Dr. Meade Krosby is quoted via Twitter.

Scientists: Warming climate ‘loads the dice’ for wildfire in west Cascades

Record heat made the Cascades ripe for a fire like Bolt Creek. Dr. Crystal Raymond is quoted. 

“A large wildfire on the west side is a little bit like an earthquake,” Raymond said. “It could be pretty severe. It’s pretty rare. We need to practice for it because we don’t know how it’s going to go down.”  

Bolt Creek fire highlights changing climate, increased wildfire risk in Western WA

Scientists have long warned that climate change would lead to more fires near towns like Index on the west side of the Cascades. And while the Bolt Creek fire is only one example, it could be a harbinger of blazes to come. Dr. Crystal Raymond is quoted in this story for the Seattle Times.