Science Contact: Steve McNulty, smcnulty@fs.fed.us or (919) 515-9489

News Release Contact: Perdita Spriggs, pspriggs@fs.fed.us or (828) 230-3292

Forest Service Web-Based Tool Integrates Climate Change Science and Land Management

RALEIGH, NC (August 3, 2010)—The USDA Forest Service, Eastern Forest Environmental Threat Assessment Center (EFETAC) and Southern Region have launched the Template for Assessing Climate Change Impacts and Management Options (TACCIMO), an interactive, web-based tool that allows users to integrate climate change science into land management planning decisions.  EFETAC researchers and regional forest planners and managers have partnered to ensure an effective, focused tool useful to public and private land managers. Demonstration and training webinars will be available in July and August, and the online tool can be accessed at http://www.forestthreats.org/tools/taccimo.

TACCIMO provides the best available climate change science in a format relevant to forest planners and managers within the Forest Service, other federal and state agencies, and non-governmental organizations. The tool is designed to fit within the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process and can be used in land management plan revision, environmental assessments, environmental impact statements, and reasonable alternatives. Users are able to review climate change forecasts, consider effective management options, and generate customized reports suitable for planning processes.

“Climate change offers a unique challenge to forest planners, one that requires special knowledge and tools,” says Danny C. Lee, EFETAC Director.  “TACCIMO provides decision-makers with additional science-based information necessary to make informed decisions to help sustain our forests through the changes that might come.”

TACCIMO highlights both direct and indirect effects of climate change and helps identify possible mitigating management options.  Some of the factors considered include biodiversity, natural disturbances, forest pests, prescribed fire, forestland conversion, recreation, silvicultural treatments, wildfire, and temperature and precipitation variability.  Regular updates will be available as new knowledge and science emerge and information needs change.

Steve McNulty, EFETAC ecologist and TACCIMO co-developer, adds, “We are excited about the launch of TACCIMO. This tool allows for over 20 years of Forest Service climate change impacts and adaptation research to be carried to state, federal, and private land managers where it is needed most.”  Chris Liggett, Southern Region Director of Planning, agrees, “This is a great opportunity to advance ecosystem management and influence positive environmental outcomes. TACCIMO is an outstanding demonstration of what can be accomplished when scientists and managers work closely together to address a critical need.”

TACCIMO’s suite of tools includes the ability to explore content and geospatial information and create science and planning reports.  Collectively, the tools provide users condensed, concise, and credible access to existing and emerging climate change science.

Additional Information:  Steve McNulty, (919) 515-9489, steve_mcnulty@ncsu.edu, or Emrys Treasure, (919) 515-9490, etreasure@fs.fed.us. Please also visit http://www.forestthreats.org/tools/taccimo.