Climate Change in the Preserve – January 11

Dan Vimont

A small group of hardy participants joined Prof. Dan Vimont as he told the “stories” of how Climate Change is affecting  natural areas in Wisconsin and the Preserve and our everyday lives, as well. From warming trout streams to decreasing snow pack, changing lake levels and extreme weather, the Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts (WICCI, https://www.wicci.wisc.edu) helps people understand how climate change is affecting Wisconsin. One of the ways WICCI does this is through telling stories. 

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Photo Paul Quinlan

The open water that harbored a flock of tundra swans on University Bay was a contradiction to the bitter cold temperatures on this Saturday, illustrating one of Dan Vimont’s points that variable and extreme weather events can be expected in the face of climate change. Three intrepid hikers showed up to tour the Preserve and hear about Dan’s research and expertise on subject. He noted that most climate change models are proving to be true and accurate, as we continue to experience weather events and trends that the models have predicted. With this understanding, much of his work and the work of other climate scientists has come to focus on resiliency and adaptation of human systems and infrastructure, such as agriculture and buildings. Friends host and photos by Paul Quinlan