South Central Climate Adaptation Science Center

What South Central Climate Adaptation Science Center does

The South Central Climate Adaptation Science Center (CASC) is a federally funded research and education center established in 2012 and hosted at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma. It is one of ten regional CASCs created under the U.S. Geological Survey's national Climate Adaptation Science Center network, serving resource managers, tribal nations, researchers, educators, and the public across Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, and New Mexico. The center generates region-specific climate science and adaptation resources — including high-resolution (10km x 10km) temperature and precipitation climate projections, ecosystem vulnerability assessments using the NatureServe Habitat Climate Change Vulnerability Index, an Ogallala Aquifer Data Directory, the CASC Project Explorer, and an ArcGIS-based interactive project map — and packages them as free, publicly available products.

The center's service portfolio spans training programs (Climate 101, Grasslands and Climate, Sagebrush Conservation, Climate Vulnerability Assessment, Managing for a Changing Climate as a credit-bearing OU course), youth educational activities, a Tribal Engagement Program with dedicated liaisons, fellowship and scholarship programs, and Communities of Practice in resilient communities, coastal ecosystems, species and ecosystems, teleconnections, and uncertainty. Strategic partnerships anchor delivery: the Chickasaw Nation and University of New Mexico as co-leads on a $4M NSF EPSCoR grant (2024), Tulane University's ByWater Institute as lead on a ~$2M NOAA Climate-Ready Coasts award (2024), and a consortium spanning OU, OSU, Texas Tech, LSU, UL Lafayette plus federal partners (USFWS, USFS Region 8, USDA Southwest Climate Hub, Edwards Aquifer Authority).

Commercially, the CASC does not sell products or services — all resources, workshops, projections, and educational materials are provided free to users. The center is sustained primarily by congressionally appropriated USGS funding channeled through the University of Oklahoma (a $4.5M, five-year grant was secured in December 2019), supplemented by competitive federal grants from NSF, NOAA, BIA, and others. As of October 1, 2025, the U.S. Department of the Interior and the Office of Management and Budget have withheld FY25 funding, forcing the center into minimal operations and suspending new projects, programs, and services; projects funded through non-USGS sources (NSF, NOAA, BIA) continue, and Congress has proposed restoring full funding in FY26 markups.

Name

South Central Climate Adaptation Science Center

Legal name

South Central Climate Adaptation Science Center

Website

https://southcentralclimate.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The South Central Climate Adaptation Science Center is a federally funded research center hosted at the University of Oklahoma that delivers regional climate science, decision-support tools, and training to resource managers, tribal nations, researchers, and educators across Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, and New Mexico, sustained primarily by USGS appropriations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Climate Adaptation Science Research

NAICS

Environmental Consulting Services (541620), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

akta.pro primary industry

Climate Adaptation & Resilience Programs (BPADALAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation (BPAGAGAF), Environmental, Climate & Sustainability Standards & Reporting Cooperation (BPADANAI)

Keywords

• Climate adaptation science
• Climate projections
• Vulnerability assessments
• Climate science research
• Resource manager training

Headquarters

HQ city

Norman

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Federal Government Funding (USGS): Primary funding from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) through Congressionally appropriated funds. The center was established in 2012 and received a $4.5 million extension grant in December 2019 to continue hosting at the University of Oklahoma. As of October 2025, funding has been withheld by DOI and OMB, placing the center in minimal operations.
2. National Science Foundation (NSF) Grants: Awarded $4 million NSF EPSCoR grant in 2024 for tribal climate resilience partnerships with OU, Chickasaw Nation, and UNM over two years.
3. NOAA Climate-Ready Coasts Funding: Approximately $2 million collaborative award through NOAA Climate Resilience Regional Challenge (part of $575 million Inflation Reduction Act program) for Southwest Louisiana and Central Acadiana resilience project.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The South Central Climate Adaptation Science Center (SC CASC) is a federally funded research and education organization hosted at the University of Oklahoma that generates actionable climate science, tools, and training for natural and cultural resource managers, tribal nations, and stakeholders across Oklahoma, New Mexico, Texas, and Louisiana. It provides high-resolution climate projections, vulnerability assessments, decision-support tools, workshops, online courses, and tribal climate resilience programs at no cost to users.

Product overview

The South Central Climate Adaptation Science Center (CASC) is a research and education organization hosted at the University of Oklahoma that provides climate adaptation science, tools, and training for the south-central US region (Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, and New Mexico). Rather than a traditional software product, the center offers a portfolio of programs including educational resources for youth, climate projection data products, online courses (Managing for a Changing Climate), training workshops (Climate 101, Grasslands, Sagebrush, Vulnerability Assessment), resources for researchers (funding opportunities, fellowships, project explorer), resources for resource managers, and a Tribal Engagement Program. The center also provides access to interactive tools including the CASC Project Explorer and SC CASC Project Map for discovering and visualizing climate science projects.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Climate Projection Maps High-resolution (10km x 10km) temperature and precipitation climate projections for the south-central United States, available for both mid-century and end-of-century time periods. Aimed at resource managers, researchers, and planners in Oklahoma, New Mexico, Texas, and Louisiana.
• Managing for a Changing Climate A free set of online courses providing an integrative understanding of the climate system, including natural climate variability, external drivers of climate change, and impacts on multiple sectors such as economy, policy, ecosystems, and Indigenous populations. OU students can receive credit under GEOG/METR 3523.
• Grasslands and Climate Training Series Training series for grasslands conservation practitioners implemented in partnership with US FWS, Northwest CASC, North Central CASC, and Midwest CASC, including webinars and in-person workshops on climate adaptation planning.
• Climate 101 Workshops Workshops covering basics of how the climate system works, interpretation of climate projections, and resources for decision makers and climate adaptation planning, with optional interactive training sessions.
• Climate Vulnerability Assessment Training Training focused on conducting climate vulnerability assessments for natural and cultural resource managers across the south-central United States.
• Sagebrush and Climate Training Series Training series for sagebrush conservation practitioners on climate change impacts and adaptation strategies.
• Tribal Engagement Program Program serving Native nations through tribal liaisons, tribal mailing list, tribal engagement team, tribal resources, Indigenous Kinship Circle for Climate Futures, culturally significant plants initiative, and success stories. Supports tribal climate resilience through culturally responsive approaches.
• Youth Educational Activities Youth outreach materials providing climate curriculum and activities for informal and formal educational purposes, including hands-on activities like Butterfly Phenology, Cool Cities, Drought Race, Fire Climatology, Greenhouse Gas demonstrations, Mosquito Monitoring, Ocean Acidification, Sea Level Rise, and Water Banking.
• Scholarship Programs Study abroad scholarships, DGES scholarships, and international studies scholarships for University of Oklahoma students studying climate-related fields.

Quantifiable outcome

• 200+ students and early-career scientists supported through fellowship and training programs
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• University of Oklahoma (Host Institution)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2024Host university for the South Central CASC since 2012, with a 5-year $4.5M extension in 2019. Houses the main office and serves as hub for consortium member organizations. Leadership includes University Director Dr. Renee McPherson and Associate Directors.
• Chickasaw NationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2024Lead tribal partner in $4M NSF EPSCoR grant for climate resilience research. Tribal Liaison Jennie Mosely serves as Director of Land Sustainability and Services. Governor Bill Anoatubby supports environmental and wildlife programs. Partners on Tribal Adaptation Menu workshops and Indigenous youth education.
• University of New MexicocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2024Consortium member and co-lead on $4M NSF tribal climate resilience project. Lani Tsinnajinnie (Indigenous Design and Planning Institute) leads research on culturally responsive climate adaptation. Hosts site visits and stakeholder sessions.
• Tulane University (ByWater Institute)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2024Lead institution for $2M NOAA Climate-Ready Coasts project for Southwest Louisiana and Central Acadiana. South Central CASC contributes climate risk characterization, community engagement co-design, and technical information materials.
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2024$2M award through Climate Resilience Regional Challenge (Inflation Reduction Act). NOAA also funds Hollings Scholars and Urban Heat Island mapping campaigns. South Central CASC participates in Climate-Ready Coasts initiative.
• University of Louisiana at LafayetteminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2024Partner in NOAA collaborative project for Southwest Louisiana and Central Acadiana climate resilience, working alongside Tulane and other partners.
• Micah 6:8 MissionminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2024Nonprofit partner in NOAA climate resilience project for Southwest Louisiana communities still recovering from hurricanes Laura and Delta.
• William Averette Anderson FundminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2024Partner in NOAA collaborative project for Southwest Louisiana and Central Acadiana climate resilience efforts.
• U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2019Primary federal funding agency and program partner. USGS established the national CASC network and provides congressionally appropriated funding. The South Central CASC is one of nine regional centers in this partnership-driven program that teams federal scientists with natural resource managers.
• Oklahoma State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium member; hosts Climate Adaptation Postdoctoral (CAP) Fire Fellows; conducts research on agroforestry, water resources (Edwards Aquifer), and wildfire probability mapping; co-PI Dr. Victor Rivera-Monroy at LSU on coastal research.
• Texas Tech University Climate CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium member led by Co-Director Dr. Katharine Hayhoe (formerly, now Chief Scientist at The Nature Conservancy). Provided keynote on Fourth National Climate Assessment and hosts climate science seminars.
• Louisiana State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium member; Dr. Megan La Peyre leads oyster restoration research; hosts CAP Fellows; collaborated on 2024 site visit report; LSU ADVANCE GIF funding for climate adaptation postdoc.
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Grasslands and Climate Training Series with Northwest, North Central, and Midwest CASCs. Joint webinars (May-August 2022) and in-person workshop (January 2023). Supports climate adaptation for FWS practitioners.
• USDA Southwest Climate HubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of New Mexico stakeholder listening sessions on climate science needs for water, forestry, and agriculture. Partnership on Ogallala Aquifer data directory and regional climate summaries.
• U.S. Forest Service Region 8coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership established in 2021 for climate modeling and extreme disturbances webinars for land managers. South Central and Southeast CASCs build capacity for natural resource management under climate change.
• USA National Phenology NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerErin Posthumus leads pollinator and plant phenology research (Time to Restore project), creating phenology calendars for nectar species in the south central region.
• EcoRiseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for climate curriculum and educational resources. EcoRise provides Introduction to Climate Resilience lessons aligned with sustainability and environmental justice standards.
• Smithsonian Science Education CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloper of 'Climate Resilience!' community research guide in partnership with InterAcademy Partnership and Smithsonian Science for Global Goals project aligned with UN SDGs.
• Edwards Aquifer AuthorityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRecipient of climate projection services for water management in Texas. Dr. Adrienne Wootten presents at EDTalks Seminar Series on climate impacts.
• American Meteorological SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic society where South Central CASC staff present research at Annual Meetings. Staff have received awards including Editor's Award in Weather, Climate, and Society journal.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center: A sibling regional CASC hosted at Oregon State University that delivers climate adaptation science, decision-support tools, and tribal engagement across the Pacific Northwest, operating under the same USGS national CASC model and funding structure as the South Central CASC.
• North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center: Another regional CASC hosted at the University of Colorado Boulder that provides climate vulnerability assessments, decision-support tools, and stakeholder training across the north-central US, with directly comparable program structure and mission to the South Central CASC.
• Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center: A regional CASC hosted at North Carolina State University that delivers climate science and capacity-building for resource managers and tribal nations in the southeastern US, jointly affected by the same FY25 DOI funding freeze as the South Central CASC.
• Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center: A regional CASC hosted at the University of Massachusetts Amherst providing climate adaptation science and decision-support across the northeastern US, organized under the same USGS cooperative agreement model as the South Central CASC.
• Southwest Climate Adaptation Science Center: A regional CASC hosted at the University of Arizona that covers Arizona, New Mexico, and tribal lands in the Southwest US, with overlapping geographic scope and shared tribal engagement priorities with the South Central CASC.
• Midwest Climate Adaptation Science Center: A regional CASC hosted at a consortium led by the University of Minnesota that delivers actionable climate science for natural and cultural resource managers across the Midwest, with parallel programs in tribal engagement, grasslands training, and climate projections.

Emerging players

• Climate Central: A nonpartisan climate science and communications organization that produces regional climate analyses, visualizations, and sea-level/storm-surge tools for journalists and resource managers, serving a partially overlapping audience to the South Central CASC with a more communications-oriented delivery model.

Broad incumbents

• NOAA Climate Program Office: A major federal climate science program that co-funds South Central CASC initiatives (e.g., the $2M Climate Resilience Regional Challenge award) and operates overlapping regional climate services and grants that compete for the same resource-manager audience.
• U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Climate Adaptation Science Centers Program: The umbrella federal program administered by USGS that hosts and funds the ten regional CASCs including the South Central CASC, providing the network governance, funding mechanism, and national coordination framework under which the South Central CASC operates.
• USDA Climate Hubs: A federal network of ten regional Climate Hubs (including the Southwest Hub that co-hosts SC CASC stakeholder sessions) delivering climate information for agriculture and forestry, with overlapping stakeholder base of resource managers but focused more on working lands than the South Central CASC's broader adaptation mandate.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/playlist?list=PLeQQSAEHE5PpxA8p19JPLIiRNWhdLERRR
• Instagraminstagram.com/southcentralcasc
• Xx.com/sc_casc
• Facebookfacebook.com/SouthCentralCASC
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/south-central-climate-science-center

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about South Central Climate Adaptation Science Center