Midwest Fish & Wildlife Conference 2018

AUTHORS. Christine Anhalt-Depies, University of Wisconsin – Madison


ABSTRACT. While substantial investments have been made in climate change adaptation initiatives, there are limited examples of efforts to systematically monitor and track adaptation progress. To better understand the status of adaptation within state natural resource agencies, we conducted in-depth interviews with 29 biologists and foresters in the Upper Midwest.  While the majority of managers identified climate change impacts affecting their region, they expressed significant uncertainty in interpreting those signals.  Just under half of managers indicated planning efforts are underway, although most planning is remote from local management.  Actions already implemented include both forward-looking measures and those aimed at coping with current impacts. The results hold implications for tracking adaptation progress which is an increasingly important task for agencies, non-governmental organizations, and donors looking to understand current adaptation to climate change and to support future adaptation efforts.