The 2026 MW CASC Summer Science Symposium will take place August 3-6, 2026 at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. An optional interactive 2-day workshop on transdisciplinarity and coproduction will take place Monday, August 3 and Tuesday, August 4. An optional off-site field trip is planned for attendees not participating in the workshop.
All attendees are encouraged to join us for a welcome presentation on Tuesday evening. Wednesday, August 5 will showcase a full day of conference sessions and activities. Thursday, August 6 wraps up with a half day of sessions, followed by an optional off-site field trip. See more details below.
This is a developing agenda. It will continue to be updated and may change as we get closer to the event. If you have questions, please reach out to Jess Del Fiacco ([email protected]).
Monday, August 3
11:00am – 12pm Registration Open
Location: Third Floor, Coffman Memorial Union
12:00 – 5:00pm Workshop Day 1: Transdisciplinary Research and Coproduction Methods: How Engaged Research Mutually Benefits Adaptation Science and Practice
This 2-day interactive workshop will focus on the importance of transdisciplinarity as a powerful research approach that, appropriately applied, fosters trusted relationships for improved project outcomes and more relevant and actionable science. NOTE: Workshop capacity has been met – participation is limited to those who have confirmed RSVPs, forthcoming.
Location: President’s Room, Coffman Memorial Union
5:00pm End of Formal Program
Tuesday, August 4
8:00 – 9:00am Registration & Coffee
Location: Third Floor, Coffman Memorial Union
9:00am – 2:30pm Workshop Day 2: Transdisciplinary Research and Coproduction Methods: How Engaged Research Mutually Benefits Adaptation Science and Practice
This 2-day interactive workshop will focus on the importance of transdisciplinarity as a powerful research approach that, appropriately applied, fosters trusted relationships for improved project outcomes and more relevant and actionable science. NOTE: Workshop capacity has been met – participation is limited to those who have confirmed RSVPs, forthcoming.
Location: President’s Room, Coffman Memorial Union
1:00 – 3:00pm Field Trip to Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve (Optional)
If you’re in town early on Tuesday, join us for a field tour at the renowned Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve – called the birthplace of ecosystem ecology. Cedar Creek is a large biological research site just outside of the Twin Cities, sitting at the intersection of three major biomes: the tallgrass prairie, coniferous forest and deciduous forest.
Tour details and transportation options forthcoming (45 min drive each way from the University of Minnesota East Bank Campus). Lunch is not provided.
3:00 – 4:30pm Consortium Leadership Team Meeting (Invite-Only)
This is a working meeting for members of the MW CASC Consortium Leadership Team.
Location: TBD
5:00pm Welcome Speaker
Details to come.
Location: TBD
7:00pm End of Formal Program
Wednesday, August 5
8:00 – 9:00am Registration & Coffee
Location: Third Floor, Coffman Memorial Union
9:00 – 9:30am Welcome Remarks
Location: Mississippi Room, Coffman Memorial Union
9:30 – 10:15am Keynote Speaker
Tadd Johnson, University of Minnesota Regent
Location: Mississippi Room, Coffman Memorial Union
10:15 – 10:45am Break
10:45 – 11:30am Research Lightning Talks
Researchers across the Midwest CASC community will present their climate adaptation science in short presentations.
Location: Mississippi Room, Coffman Memorial Union
11:30am – 12:30pm Reflecting on Tribal Partnerships for Adaptation
- Dr. Eric Clark, Consortium for Cooperative Ecological Resilience and Biologist at the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians
- Dr. Mae Davenport, Center for Changing Landscapes at University of Minnesota
- Dr. Holly Embke, USGS MW CASC
- Dr. Melissa Kenney, Institute on the Environment, University of Minnesota
Tribal Nations are influential in climate adaptation as sovereign governments, rightsholders, and environmental stewards. This panel discussion will reflect on Tribal partnerships for climate adaptation, including success stories, lessons learned, and opportunities to improve collaborative relationships. As all MW CASC institutions operate within the ancestral territories (and many within the current territories) of Tribal Nations, we invite all attendees to join this session to reflect on treaty and trust responsibilities and opportunities for ethical Tribal engagement in your work.
Location: Mississippi Room, Coffman Memorial Union
12:30 – 2:00pm Lunch Break
Lunch on your own.
12:30 – 1:30pm Lunch Workshop: Early Career Pathways (Optional)
Opt-in via the registration form to receive details on sessions designed for students and early career researchers!
Location: Room 303, Coffman Memorial Union
12:30 – 1:30pm Community of Practice (Optional)
Join the MW CASC Community of Practice (CoP) for an informal and interactive lunch discussion on “Real-World Implementation of Adaptation Action” led by Dr. Abigail Lynch, a Research Fish Biologist with the USGS National CASC. Dr. Lynch will present on the Resist-Accept-Direct framework for decision making, and facilitate group discussion. Lunch will be provided to those who RSVP.
Our CoP of climate adaptation researchers and practitioners meets for shared learning about adaptation science while informing, using, and implementing MW CASC research and resources. Learn more about the CoP and how to participate.
Location: Room 324, Coffman Memorial Union
2:00 – 3:00pm Concurrent Breakout Sessions
Breakout A
Details forthcoming.
Location: Mississippi Room, Coffman Memorial Union
Breakout B
Details forthcoming.
Location: Room 325, Coffman Memorial Union
Breakout C
Details forthcoming.
Location: Room 303, Coffman Memorial Union
3:00 – 4:30pm Research Poster Session
Share your climate adaptation research with the MW CASC community. Light refreshments will be provided. Please submit your poster topic by June 17!
Location: President’s Room, Coffman Memorial Union
4:30pm End of Formal Program
4:30 – 6:30 MW CASC Advisory Committee Meeting (Invite-Only)
This is a working meeting for members of the MW CASC Advisory Committee.
Location: Room 307 (Board Room), Coffman Memorial Union
6:30 – 8:00pm Student & Early Career Researcher Event: Exploring Careers in Natural Resource Management (Optional)
Opt-in via the registration form to receive details on sessions designed for students and early career researchers!
Thursday, August 6
8:00 – 9:00am Registration & Coffee
Location: Third Floor, Coffman Memorial Union
9:00 – 9:15am Welcome Remarks
Location: Mississippi Room, Coffman Memorial Union
9:15 – 9:45am Keynote Speaker
Kelly Straka, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Location: Mississippi Room, Coffman Memorial Union
9:45 – 10:45am Innovation in Adaptation
Details forthcoming.
Location: Mississippi Room, Coffman Memorial Union
10:45 – 11:00am Break
11:00 – 11:30 Research Lightning Talks
Researchers across the Midwest CASC community will present their climate adaptation science in short presentations.
Location: Mississippi Room, Coffman Memorial Union
11:45am – 12:30pm Closing Activity
Details to come.
Location: Mississippi Room, Coffman Memorial Union
12:30pm End of Formal Program
2:00 – 3:30pm Field Trip to Crosby Farm Park (Optional)
Stick around after the end of the conference for a guided field tour of Crosby Farm Regional Park, home to a long-term research site that is part of the Adaptive Silviculture for Climate Change (ASCC) network.
Crosby Farm is located less than 10 minutes from the Minneapolis-Saint Paul Airport. Additional tour and transportation details forthcoming.