ARID-SC CASC Managers Workshop

November 4, 2024

On November 1, 2024, ARID and the South Central Climate Adaptation Science Center (SC CASC) hosted a Managers Workshop at UNM, which was attended by 114 resource managers, community health practitioners, business and economic leaders, non-profits, community leaders, researchers, and students to discuss priority questions, issues, and concerns related to the future resilience of New Mexico to climate change, in order to inform a resilience research plan. Dr. Ellen Fisher, UNM’s Vice President for Research, opened the day and welcomed participants to the university, and emphasized the importance of the work everyone was contributing to. 


Drs. Jennifer Rudgers and Marcy Litvak, the ARID co-Directors, introduced the ARID Institute and the necessity of increasing the resilience of drylands. Stephanie Mladinich, the SC CASC Climate Adaptation Specialist for New Mexico and Texas, then provided an overview of the SC CASC and how it can be a resource, and provided a brief summary of the projected climate futures facing New Mexico. Dr. Katrina Grantz, the Deputy Regional Director for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Upper Colorado Region, provided the keynote talk. Participants then heard short lightning talks from the following individuals about their work in resilience:

  • Tess Ngochi, NM Energy Minerals and Natural Resources Department, Climate Policy Bureau
  • Sydney Lienemann, New Mexico Environment Department
  • Cetan Chirstensen, First Nations Development Institute
  • Jonathan Tyrell, Next 100 Coalition
  • Serafina Lombardi, NM Acequia Association

Participants then split into breakout sessions to discuss one of the four ARID themes, identifying priority issues that should be included in a resilience research plans, assumptions to be tested, information and data gaps, workforce needs, and specific research questions. There were two breakout sessions and participants were given the opportunity to participate in conversations in two of the ARID themes. 


The outcomes of the Managers Workshop are currently being summarized and will be shared out at a later date. Please contact Debbie Lee (debbieylee@unm.edu) with any questions about the Managers Workshop and follow-up activities.