Climate change will likely have significant effects on forest ecosystems worldwide. In dryMediterranean regions, such as that in southwestern Oregon, USA, changes will likely be drivenmainly by wildfire and drought. To minimize the negative effects of climate change, resourcemanagers require tools and information to assess climate change vulnerabilities and to developand implement adaptation actions. We developed an approach to facilitate development andimplementation of climate change adaptation options in forest management. This approach,applied in a southwestern Oregon study region, involved establishment of a science–managerpartnership, a science-based assessment of forest and woodland vulnerabilities to climatechange, climate change education in multiple formats, hands-on development of adaptationoptions, and application of tools to incorporate climate change in planned projects. Throughthis approach, we improved local manager understanding of the potential effects of climatechange in southwestern Oregon, and enabled evaluation of proposed management activities inthe context of climatic stressors. Engaging managers throughout the project increasedownership of the process and outcomes, as well as the applicability of the adaptation options toon-the-ground actions. Science–management partnerships can effectively incorporate evolvingscience, regardless of the socio-political environment, and facilitate timely progress inadaptation to climate change.
