The Arctic is one of the most rapidly changing landscapes on the planet and represents a key geography for DoD mission. These changes include diminished sea ice coverage, declining snow cover, melting permafrost, and wildfire. Given the importance of both the built and natural infrastructure to DoD in Alaska, SERDP and ESTCP support infrastructure resilience and environmental research in the Arctic. Projects focus principally on terrestrial Arctic research where current and future infrastructure is sited. SERDP and ESTCP work broadly with end-user communities, including mission planners, indigenous communities, and engineers, to reach holistic challenges presented by climate change.  

SERDP and ESTCP, in collaboration with other Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) offices and federal research agencies, launched a new initiative that prioritizes co-production of science to transition tools to the end-user community. Four regional sites, including one in Alaska, make up the National Innovation Landscapes Network (NILN), which facilitates collaboration among managers, scientists, policymakers, and agency partners to identify natural resource management decisions that need to be informed by science or technology to achieve desired outcomes.