Engage
USDA Southwest Climate Hub
The Southwest Climate Hub serves Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and the US Affiliated Pacific Islands by delivering science-based, region-specific technologies and practical information that will assist with climate-informed decision making. Our mission aligns with the USDA mission to provide leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development, nutrition, and related issues based on sound public policy, the best available science, and efficient management.
Our goal is to provide information and technology to guide climate-informed decision making by farmers, ranchers, forest landowners, Native American tribes, natural resource managers and technology transfer specialists to generate sustainable and productive working landscapes in the Southwest. The Climate Hubs are science driven, stakeholder centered, efficient, cooperative partnerships with federal, state and local organizations. The Southwest Climate Hub is headquartered at the USDA-ARS Jornada Experimental Range on the New Mexico State University campus in Las Cruces, NM.
RESOURCES
Middle and High School Climate Change Education Units
We partnered with the Asombro Institute for Science Education to create three engaging, fun, and scientifically rigorous climate change education units for 6-12th grade students. They are free to download, and each of the 17 lessons within the three units includes several resources, such as an educator guide with step-by-step instructions, a handout with an answer key, and a slide presentation. The lessons are aligned with Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards.
Sustainable Southwest Beef Coordinated Agriculture Project (CAP)
The USDA Southwest Climate Hub leads the extension & knowledge co-production team of the Sustainable Southwest Beef CAP, a five year project funded by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, which is evaluating creative strategies to enhance the sustainability of beef cattle production in the southwestern US. The project is evaluating heritage genetics from Raramuri Criollo cattle, precision ranching technology, and varying supply chain options. Outreach & education materials are available in a variety of media including fact sheets, podcasts, webinar/videos, and k-12 lesson plans.