How are LCCs unique?

LCCs look at whole landscapes and involve a diverse community of conservation partners working on a given landscape. Because many conservation challenges are so complex and interconnected with numerous issues, conservation agencies and organizations increasingly must work together across jurisdictional lines to inform management of North America’s natural and cultural resources. LCCs are well-positioned to enable conservation organizations to do that on a landscape scale.

How do LCCs and DOI Climate Science Centers work together?

The Department of the Interior has established eight Climate Science Centers (CSC). Their scope includes the full range of natural and cultural resources, and their focus is on information needed to manage these resources in the face of climate change. LCCs are the CSCs’ primary clients and the Great Basin LCC straddles the Northwest and Southwest CSCs. LCCs will use this information provided by the CSCs to support existing or develop new landscape-scale resource management plans that will inform future activities and assist partners in focusing their management decisions. Learn more about the LCCs and CSCs collaboration here.

Who leads the Great Basin LCC?

The Great Basin LCC has four staff positions; coordinator, science coordinator, research ecologist and geospatial analyst. In addition to these staff, a Steering Committee guides the work of the Great Basin LCC. Read more about this on the Who We Are page.

How is the Great Basin LCC funded?

The Department of the Interior contributes significant funding through its agencies to support staff, science and operational capacity in all LCCs. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, USGS and BLM provide funding for the Great Basin LCC staff. In addition, Great Basin LCC partners provide funding and in-kind contributions.

How does the Great Basin LCC choose projects to fund or participate in?

Working with Great Basin stakeholders, the LCC identified priority topics that guide the Great Basin LCC’s science program for the next five years. These priorities are detailed in the Science and Traditional Ecological Knowledge Strategic Plan. The Steering Committee is currently working on an overarching Strategic Plan that will guide the operation of the LCC.

How is the Great Basin LCC working with tribes?

One goal of the Great Basin LCC is to support the exchange of western and traditional science to further Great Basin conservation priorities and directly benefit tribal issues and circumstances. In order to achieve this goal we are working to:

• Encourage dialogue on shared conservation goals between indigenous communities, local peoples and other practitioners, informed by best practices for considering traditional knowledges.
• Develop models for engagement of tribal membership and traditional practitioners of TEK.
• Apply protocols to ensure protection of TEK and strategies.

The Great Basin LCC recognizes there is a need for dialogue and greater understanding of the ways in which the LCC could be a better resource for area tribes. This is a first step leading to stronger working relationships and identification of shared strategic priorities.

Where can I find research and data from the Great Basin region?

Please visit the Portals and Databases page of our website for links to relevant data. For information on research publications from Great Basin LCC projects, visit the Publications page.

How can I get involved?

We are always looking for new ways to collaborate and advance conservation in the Great Basin. Please feel free to contact us any time. To stay up to date with the work of the Great Basin LCC, sign up for our quarterly newsletter.