Two proposals will be funded for IWG’s summer and fall of 2009.

The New Mexico, Nevada and Idaho NSF EPSCoR‐funded programs have formed a consortium of EPSCoR states with similar research agendas related to climate change and water resources. The Western Tri‐State Consortium significantly increases opportunities for scientific collaboration, and enhances each state's ability to secure competitive funding and tackle complex climate change research agendas. In keeping with the Consortium mission, Innovation Working Group funds are being made available to support collaborative, trans‐disciplinary work by the three member states. The Western Tri‐State Consortium IWG program is managed by a three‐state team of Project Directors and EPSCoR staff. Innovation Working Groups (IWGs) provide a venue for engaging scientists and educators, along with key nationally and internationally recognized experts, to address the grand challenges that can transform science and education. This program supports week‐long working group activities that are modeled after those hosted by the highly successful NSF supported National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS). Scientists from the EPSCoR Western Tri‐State Consortium and national or international experts may be invited. Direct involvement in an EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement (RII)‐funded project is NOT a prerequisite for participation in this program. A strategic final objective of the IWGs is the submission of proposals that target NSF cross‐cutting programs and/or the publication of synthesis papers in peer reviewed journals.

The first Call for Proposals was issued in May with a due date of July 1, 2009.

One proposal will be funded for IWG’s fall of 2009.

The effects of climate change on ecosystems and societies: A Focus on Native American and Hispanic communities.

Current and future shifts in meteorological conditions caused by global climate change will substantially alter hydrologic regimes in the western US. Anticipated effects include likely increases in the frequency, duration, and magnitude of drought, and the frequency and magnitude of flooding. Vulnerability to these hydrologic shifts may be highest for minority communities at the margins of the dominant society who have undefined water rights, and who have less political and economic power. Thus, it is vital that hydrologic models and water policies consider the effects of climate change on at-risk communities in their development stages. The purpose of this Innovation Working Group (IWG) is to develop research ideas that will couple the effects of climate change on ecosystems and societies while focusing on potential impacts to Native American and Hispanic communities.

The objective of the IWG is to host a workshop where hydrologists, ecologists, and social scientists convene to (1) invite stakeholders and experts to offer their perspectives and concerns on potential impacts, and how potential impacts and mitigation can be incorporated into long-term planning related to climate change, (2) discuss how climate and hydrological models can be improved to identify and mitigate risks to these vulnerable populations, and (3) jointly write a cross-cutting proposal to NSF. To facilitate open discussion and brainstorming, the initial two days will be open to the public. In particular, stakeholders and experts representing Native American tribes and Hispanic acequias will be invited as active workshop participants. The proposed IWG is composed of diverse institutions and expertise (i.e. ecological engineering, water resources engineering, psychology, environmental law, and Indian water rights) and includes significant participation by women, underrepresented groups, early-career scientists, postdoctoral fellows, and students. The proposed research to NSF will take a holistic approach to address complex interactions of socio-political and biophysical systems affected by climate change. The proposed IWG is transformative in nature due to its application of science to policy and decision making with an emphasis on populations at the margins of the dominant society. Given the projected impact of climate change on water resources, the proposed research is envisioned as a model study that can be extended to other Native American tribes throughout the country. It can also be used for the evaluation and protection of rights of minority groups during negotiations regarding allocation and use of water resources or other resources.