From November 19-21, CPO’s National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) is hosting two upcoming meetings for the Midwest Drought Early Warning System (DEWS) in St. Paul, Minnesota. First, the Midwest DEWS Regional Partners Meeting is taking place from November 19-20 and will bring together federal, state, tribal, local, academic and other partners from across multiple sectors in the Midwest to share and explore information and ideas that advance drought early warning and preparedness in this 8-state region. Attendees will share and discuss on-going drought activities, learn about new and innovative drought research and resources, explore emerging issues and opportunities, and brainstorm ideas on how to continue to advance the Midwest DEWS.
Immediately following, the Midwest Drought and Human Health Workshop will take place from November 20-21. Tailored around regional drought-related human health impacts, this workshop will help identify gaps and needs, collaborative opportunities, and ways to integrate the health sector into the Midwest DEWS. The workshop is the first of a series of regional Drought and Human Health Workshops co-hosted by the University of Nebraska Medical Center and NIDIS, developed in collaboration with the Minnesota Department of Public Health and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The audience for this workshop will be state and local public health departments, emergency managers, tribal communities, and healthcare providers.