Capturing Carbon in Savannas: New Research Examines Role of Grasses for Controlling Climate Change
New research shows that in addition to trees, humble grasses play an essential role in capturing carbon to fight climate change in savanna ecosystems.
We prepare graduate researchers for careers that integrate science with management and policy while advancing Climate Adaptation Science for the threatened landscape of the Interior West.
The Climate Adaptation Science (CAS) Program is a 9-credit interdisciplinary graduate specialization/minor that is available within MS and PhD programs in 10 departments at Utah State University. The program provides students with direct experience in actionable science through internships and research.
Skills emphasized in the CAS program align with many of the attributes of an “ideal, student-centered STEM graduate education system,” as described in the Consensus Study Report, “Graduate STEM Education for the 21st Century”, which was produced in 2018 by the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine. Key attributes of revitalized graduate STEM education include the potential for students to: acquire broad technical literacy, encounter a variety of points of view about science, have multiple mentors including those from beyond academia, have opportunities to communicate their results to diverse audiences, think about broader impacts, work on projects in teams, and explore diverse career options in a context where nonacademic careers are not stigmatized.
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Our Commitment To Inclusivity, Diversity, & Antiracism
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You may also reach us by email:
Nancy Huntly, PhD, Program Director | nancy.huntly@usu.edu
Thad Nicholls, MS, Ecology Center Program Coordinator | thad.nicholls@usu.edu
Abby Bushman, BS, Program Assistant SR | abby.bushman@usu.edu
About the Program
News
Rising temperatures contribute to worsening air quality
"We have these beautiful popcorn cumulus that just sit there and you look at the shape of the clouds, that type of day, we go outside and go to the beach, it just cooking pollution that's already been sitting there. And so that's what makes air quality wo...
Poll: Utahn's perception of climate change shifts
Results from the Utah People and Environment Poll are showing a positive shift in Utahn's perceptions of climate change - reflecting a growing understanding among residents of its impacts and causes.
Thirsty Roots: Identifying Plant Winners, Losers Under Changing Climate
In some places rain is changing - it is falling less often, but with more intensity. New research is deciphering which plants might thrive and survive under these new conditions, and it often depends on their roots.