Contact: Jeanine Moy, Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center:  jeanine@kswild.org  914 830-1950

Event:   Your Climate Refuge: Hotter, Drier, and No Less Wild, Wednesday, Nov. 29th, 6pm – 8pm, SOU Stevenson Union Rm. 330 

KS Wild has just assembled 170 climate change studies in an easy-to-read report, "Hotter, Drier, No Less Wild,” that illustrates needed ecological adaptations to climate change in our local region. A presentation of the report, and discussion with local scientists will be featured at the report’s debut event: Your Climate Refuge - Wednesday November 29th, 6-8pm at the SOU Stevenson Union rm. 330. Press is welcome to attend the event.

“Perhaps for the first time in our region, local science comes together with conservationists and climate activists to detail the changes we should expect in the future, and underscore the importance of taking immediate action” said Jeanine Moy, event organizer. “People are ready for action, and here’s a tangible set of guidelines that land managers can use to steer the region through the climate crisis.”

Climate projections for the next 100 years have serious implications for our rivers, forests, and wildlife. Summers could be up to 15° hotter, and winter snow pack is expected to decrease to almost zero. This raises critical questions for the future of fire and our local forest resources, drinking water supply, and the landscape that we call home.

“Our local diversity of landscapes, plants, and animals are a source of resilience for all of us if they can survive increasing climate change impacts,” said Tim Ream, KS Wild program director. “Since those landscapes are mostly public lands, we hope that this report will serve as tool to inform successful Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) action on our lands.”.

This event is sponsored by KS Wild, with support from Rogue Climate and Southern Oregon Climate Action Now. Rapid-fire-style research presentations by:

·         Marni Koopman, PhD. of Geos Institute: will share the latest research on Rogue Valley climate projections, implications for our forests and fire, and provide examples of successful community action.

·         John Alexander, PhD. of Klamath Bird Observatory:  will discuss the challenges bird communities face due to climate change. As climate change brings shifts of habitats, birds can be among the first to alert us of future climate trends.

·         Evan Frost of Wildwood Consulting: will provide an overview of how the ecological implications of climate change and conservation science informed the recent expansion of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument.     

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