Climate Modeling and Species Vulnerability Assessment

In 2009, the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) completed a multi-stakeholder effort that created Virginia’s first climate change adaptation strategy for wildlife.  During this process, participants realized the Commonwealth needed a better understanding of climatic changes predicted for Virginia and how those changes are likely to impact our wildlife and habitat resources.   In 2010, DGIF, the National Wildlife Federation, Virginia Tech, and Kutztown University began developing new climate and species models to help address these two fundamental questions.  This research was completed in 2013 and efforts are underway to incorporate findings into next wildlife action plan, land acquisition strategies, habitat restoration efforts, and other agency functions.  During this presentation, we will provide details on our planning, modeling, and implementation efforts.