Climate

Advancing climate resilience and sustainability

By Treasure Montana

October 15^th, 2024

WE CONNECT SCIENCE AND SOLUTIONS FOR A CHANGING PLANET.

The W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation is a leader in the field of climate research, providing high-quality, timely, relevant and scientifically based information to benefit Montana residents, ranchers and landowners.

The Franke College is home to the Montana Climate Office, the official steward of climate information for the state. Here, students, faculty and other experts manage tools like the Montana Mesonet dashboard to provide targeted water and climate information to the citizens across the Rocky Mountain West. The MCO also works to enhance Native agroecosystem resilience by expanding climate services and outreach to Tribal Extension agents, agriculture producers and youth educators in the Southwest and Northern Plains regions. Additional projects include the climate data explorer, an online tool to evaluate how temperature, precipitation and vegetation is changing across the state, and the derived metrics dashboard, which displays weather station data. Learn more about the Montana Climate Office.

Experiential opportunities like conducting research at the MCO teach Franke College students how to solve complex environmental problems and advance sustainability efforts around the world. Our innovative programs prepare students for impactful careers by offering valuable skills, knowledge and insights into climate science and the connections between climate, society and policy.

Your support of this building project will help ensure Franke College students and faculty have a modern space to research, learn and collaborate on issues that impact communities in Montana and beyond.

Read our stories below to learn about the impact and urgency of our work and how your support can make a difference.

Montana Climate Office Adds 37 New Monitoring Stations in 2024

The Montana Climate Office at UM has added 37 new stations to its expansive and growing network of weather, snowpack and soil moisture monitoring instrumentation across Montana. The Montana Mesonet is a cooperative statewide soil moisture and meteorological information network that supports agriculture, rangeland and forest decision-makers.

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Through cutting-edge research on forest carbon dynamics, wildfire resilience and sustainable land management, our students are shaping real-world climate solutions.

UM Study Finds Plant Growth Offsets Carbon Release of Thawing Permafrost

Permafrost is a layer of soil in polar and forested boreal regions that remains frozen all year. A new study from UM challenges the notion that high-latitude permafrost regions are becoming a net source of carbon dioxide.

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UM Joins National Project to Support Climate Resilience in Indian Country

UM is partnering in a new program that provides science-based climate information and services to Native American ranchers and farmers in the Intermountain West. The program will strengthen the role of USDA Climate Hubs in Indian Country, which support agricultural producers and professionals.

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Low Snow: UM-Based Climate Office Concerned About Drought, Water Shortages

According to recent projections from the Montana Climate Office, snowpack continues to be at an all-time low across several river basins in western Montana, indicating that this year could see water shortages. The deficits will affect agriculture and recreation, fisheries and outdoor recreationists, with implications for Montana’s ecosystem and economy.

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Connect With Us

To learn more and to support the Franke College, contact Melinda Booth, senior director of development for the W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation and the Wildlife Biology Program, at melinda.booth@supportum.org or 406-243-2593. You may also visit our Contact page to submit a message.