My senior capstone delves into the nuanced effects of climate change on the Midwest, focusing on winter tourism's essential role in sustaining local economies and culture. While the global impacts of climate change are widely acknowledged, this project investigates how rising temperatures and erratic snowfall threaten the Midwest's winter recreation industry—a vital revenue source for many small communities.

The capstone examines the historical and economic shifts in the Midwest, where once-thriving industries like logging and manufacturing have given way to tourism. For communities that have built livelihoods around snow-based recreation, diminishing snowfall could mean not only economic instability but also the erosion of unique local cultures. Through a case study approach, my work explores both the current state of Midwest winter tourism and actionable strategies for communities and policymakers to preserve these economic lifelines in a changing climate.