February Science Seminar: Migratory Birds and Climate Change: Science to Inform Management

Jacy Bernath-Plaisted 

Jacy is an applied avian ecologist with a broad interest in the conservation of grasslands and grassland birds, climate adaptation, and solutions for working landscapes. Jacy's past work has examined specific applications, such as the effects of energy development on grassland songbirds in the Northern Great Plains, and exploring full annual cycle demographics for sensitive grassland bird species. In his recent doctoral work, Jacy explored the microclimate ecology of grassland birds with an eye towards climate adaptation, and worked with management professionals to develop a Climate Adaptation Menu for grassland ecosystems. In his present capacity as an Applied Conservation Scientist at non-profit Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, Jacy works to better connect research and management, and explore the effectiveness of Farm Bill practices for North American Bird conservation.

Olivia LeDee

Olivia LeDee is the Regional Administrator of the USGS Midwest Climate Adaptation Science Center. She has previously worked for the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and the USGS Northeast Climate Science Center. Throughout her career, Olivia has worked closely with state and federal agencies and non-governmental organizations to understand the effects of climate change on natural resources and respond with active management. She represented the Midwest Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies on both the Department of Interior’s Advisory Committee on Climate Change and Natural Resource Science and the Joint Implementation Working Group of the National Fish, Wildlife, and Plants Climate Adaptation Strategy.