Jones C FEMC2007

Forest and Natural Resources Management and Climate Change: Communicating to Resource Managers Through Cooperative Extension

Christopher K. Jones. University of Arizona, Gila County Cooperative Extension, 5515 South Apache Avenue, Suite 600, Globe, AZ, 85501, USA, ckjones@cals.arizona.edu
Michael A. Crimmins, University of Arizona, Department of Soil, Water & Environmental Science, P.O. Box 210038, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA, crimmins@cals.arizona.edu
George N. Zaimes, University of Arizona, School of Natural Resources, 310 Biological Sciences East, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA zaimes@cals.arizona.edu

Introduction: Forest estate models need to be designed to include region specific climate science. The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Climate and Natural Resources Working Group is conducting a workshop series for multi-stakeholders to discuss climate change impacts on forests and natural resources, and how planning and management practices can be adapted. In response to the 2002 wildfire season and pine beetle outbreaks in Arizona and throughout western North America, the Climate and Natural Resources working group was initiated as a think tank in 2003.

Purpose: The aim of the working group is to develop and provide relevant information, tools and models to assist forest and natural resource managers to address climate change impacts on the resources they manage. The working group developed an innovative workshop approach using “vertical integration” to explore the concerns of natural resources managers by fostering dialogue and collaboration between managers (end-users of scientific knowledge), extension agents and specialists (interpreters and disseminators of scientific knowledge), and leading scientists (producers of scientific knowledge).

Actions: Two workshops attended by approximately 250 people have been conducted, one focused on climate impacts on forests and woodlands, and one on rangelands. Leading climatologists, ecologists, researchers and resource managers provided presentations to share their findings and the current state of knowledge. Interactive, thought-provoking breakout discussions and climate scenario exercises have been employed to engage the audience. Fact sheets addressing forest and woodland issues have been published. The climate scenario exercise is being refined and will be used to educate a broader audience.

Findings: We find a strong demand for climate change information coming from the natural resource management communities across the Southwestern United States. As well, climatologists and ecologists are eager to share their knowledge and are interested in new research questions that meet the needs of resource managers. As such, there exists an important window of opportunity for university extension educators to take the lead as “translators” and “information brokers” that can put climatic and ecological science research findings into simpler terms to facilitate better understanding and application. Extension educators can effectively reach a broad audience of resource managers and stakeholders by integrating climate science into existing forest and natural resource outreach programs.