6/19/02

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WORKSHOP AT MINNESOTA VALLEY NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE FOCUSES ON THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON GREAT LAKES' REGION TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS

MINNEAPOLIS - How might a warmer climate affect forest composition, including economically important tree species in Minnesota? How might a changing climate impact wetlands and waterfowl in the Great Lakes region? How might stakeholders become more actively involved in understanding the impacts of climate change in the Great Lakes region? These and other questions will be explored at a free one-day workshop, Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, June 21, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Climate Change and Terrestrial Ecosystems in the Great Lakes Region: The Potential Impacts and What We Can Do, is presented by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency National Wildlife Federation, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Michigan State University and the Great Lakes Regional Climate Change Assessment. The event will allow scientists from the entire Great Lakes region to share research and discuss topics affecting forests and wildlife, waterfowl and wetlands.

The workshop is one of five regional workshops to inform concerned citizens in the Great Lakes region about the potential impacts of global climate change and engage people in addressing these issues. The first, “Great Lakes Water Levels,” was held in Chicago in March 2001. The second, “Great Lakes Aquatic Ecology,” was held in Milwaukee in June, 2001and the third, “Great Lakes Regional Agriculture” was held in East Lansing, March 22, 2002.

These workshops follow the release of a major scientific assessment sponsored by and conducted in partnership with EPA´s Global Change Research Program, in which researchers have found that climate change may have profound effects on the Great Lakes region. These findings suggest that both broadleaf and conifer forests could decline as tree species´ ranges shift north. If summers become too warm, then the southern region could lose economically important species such as quaking aspen, yellow birch, jack pine, red pine, and white pine. As the composition of forests changes, so too will the distribution of some of the region´s popular wildlife. Migratory birds are especially sensitive to climate change, and scientists project that the region will lose a number of species altogether as their ranges shift northward. Drier climate conditions may contribute to a reduction in the size and number of prairie pothole wetlands, impacting the region´s duck population.

Speakers at the Climate Change and Terrestrial Ecosystems of the Great Lakes Region: The Potential Impacts and What We Can Do workshop will address challenges facing foresters, park managers, timber and forest-products industry leaders, hunters, and waterfowl/wetland conservation organizations. Panel discussions will provide a forum for stakeholders to discuss the potential effects of climate change as well as appropriate response strategies and policy options to address these impacts.

Featured speakers include: John Pastor, Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota-Duluth * Peter Sousounis, Michigan State University * Karen Walker, University of Minnesota * Dave C. Zumeta, Minnesota Forest Resources * Jack Rajala, Rajala Lumber Companies * Jeff Price, American Bird Conservancy * Harvey K. Nelson, Minnesota Waterfowl Association * Jay Rendall , Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

For additional information or to register for this workshop, log on to the Web site: http://www.geo.msu.edu/glra or call Jeanne Bisanz at MSU, (248) 851-2316.