UW Undergrads: Join our team with a paid internship!

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The Climate Impacts Group is seeking an intern to support several interrelated projects as part of the Northwest Climate Resilience Collaborative. The intern will join EarthLab’s Summer Internship Program, a robust, cohort-based internship program for UW undergraduate students.

The Northwest Climate Resilience Collaborative Intern will help to create a month-long summer program that builds cohorts and networks of early career researchers passionate about climate justice. This program will focus on capacity-building work with programs that connect students with frontline organizations to build capacity for justice-centered climate resilience; supporting frontline organizations to build a matching program that will provide staffing support to increase capacity of organizations to self-organize on climate resilience; conducting research to understand the knowledge and practice of community-driven adaptation for frontline communities and organizations; and co-producing curriculum and workshops with student groups to aid in the development of educational modules for the summer school. Familiarity with one or more of the following bodies of literature is a plus: transdisciplinary science, climate and environmental justice, climate adaptation, social science methods, and participatory action research.

EarthLab’s Summer Internship Program supports professional development in interdisciplinary and community-engaged work at the intersection of climate change and social justice. The internship will run for nine weeks, with a time commitment of 35 hours per week. The Resilience Collaborative Intern will receive a weekly stipend of $770. Interns will also receive a weekly stipend plus a one-time $180 commuting stipend which can be used to activate a UPass for summer quarter. The professional internship experience will be enhanced by the cohort model and the mentorship provided by the site supervisor.

Students from a range of disciplines and all UW campuses are encouraged to apply.

APPLY

New Climate Mapping Tool is a go-to resource for Washington climate projections

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Local and state agencies in Washington state need localized and accessible information on climate change to help prepare their communities for climate related impacts. Climate Mapping for a Resilient Washington aims to meet this need as a go-to resource for understanding projected changes in climate across the state. The web tool, released in January, was funded by the Washington State Legislature and developed by the University of Washington Climate Impacts Group with assistance from University of Idaho Research Data & Computing Services and input from state and local governments.

Climate Mapping for a Resilient Washington will be included in comprehensive planning guidance from the Washington Department of Commerce, which Commerce is developing in partnership with other state agencies. The Department of Commerce is also working with three cities in Washington to pilot their guidance, including use of the web tool, to incorporate climate resilience elements into their comprehensive plans. Lessons learned through the pilot program are being used to refine the climate planning guidance that will be released in June. A draft of the guidance will be available for review and comment beginning in April. To review the draft climate guidance, visit Commerce’s climate webpage.

Climate Mapping for a Resilient Washington includes downscaled climate projections of extreme precipitation, extreme heat, snowpack, streamflow drought, sea level rise and wildfire, all intentionally selected from existing datasets and customized to meet the needs of Washington communities. Changes in these climate hazards are mapped across the state and summarized to the county level to inform local planning. Specific indicators of changes in the climate are provided for the multiple sectors that are often covered in local planning, such as buildings and energy, human health, transportation, economic development and water resources.

USE THE TOOL

A New Climate Planning Tool for Local Governments

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The Climate Impacts Group has created a publicly available web application to help local jurisdictions navigate the large volume of climate information available for Washington and apply it in their climate resilience planning. Research Scientist Matt Rogers explains what the tool is and how it can be used in this blog post published by the Municipal Research and Services Center.

Local artist, Climate Impacts Group collaborate to share vision for climate-resilient future

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Ever wonder what a climate-resilient future might look like? How the communities, wildlife and landscapes might compare to what we see in the Pacific Northwest now?

Local artist Claire Sianna Seaman and the Climate Impacts Group are helping us envision this future with a painting depicting climate resilience in the Pacific Northwest region.

An album of pictures taken by UW Photographer Mark Stone capture the many details and scenes of the painting. To portray the project digitally, staff from the Climate Impacts Group developed a web-based story combining photos of the painting, a written statement from Claire, and audio clips from a showcase of the painting. The project webpage provides more details about the development of the painting and tracks where it is now.

The oil painting is impressive in both its scope and its sheer size. The full artwork consists of three canvas panels, each three feet wide by four feet tall, that integrate many Pacific Northwest scenes into a seamless piece. By layering opaque images over each other, the painting tells a story of different possible futures, while the bright, vivid colors create a hopeful image.

“This painting is just one portrayal of climate resiliency, there is so much more that it could not capture,” Seaman said. “I hope that many more such imaginings of a climate resilient future will begin to surface, inspiring people from all walks of life to work together toward that vision.”

The art piece was developed as part of a celebration of the Climate Impacts Group’s 25th anniversary, and debuted at a small, internal showcase hosted by the Climate Impacts Group, EarthLab and the Population Health Initiative. The painting is displayed on the first floor of the Hans Rosling Center for Population Health on the University of Washington Seattle campus.

Claire Sianna Seaman grew up in Leavenworth on the eastern slope of the Cascade Mountains. She studied studio art with a concentration in climate change at Smith College, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 2020. At the showcase, Seaman described how in college she struggled to find how her climate work fit into the art world, and how her art fit into the climate world.

“This project has been really refreshing,” she said. “Working with scientists who really want to figure out how to express different ways of imagining a climate-resilient future in art has been a really incredible experience.”

Following Seaman’s presentation at the showcase, CIG Director Amy Snover thanked Seaman for her work. “You’ve done a phenomenal thing,” she said. “The painting is really beautiful, it’s really complicated and it’s really rich. Every time I talk about climate resilience, it’s hard to pack in the multidimensionality of it… this is really amazing, so thank you for that.”

With each scene, each thriving ecosystem and healthy community, the painting conveys a future that is hopeful – and within our grasp. “The future will bring change,” Seaman said, “but that is not to say it all needs to be for the worse. Instead of being motivated by our anxieties, let us be motivated by what makes us happier and healthier.”

Register Today for the Northwest Climate Conference

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Registration for the 2021 Northwest Climate Conference, taking place April 6-8, is now available! You can register here for either general registration ($150), student registration ($25), or apply to be considered for a full scholarship.

This conference is for everyone working to build a climate-resilient Northwest. It has provided a learning and networking community for practitioners, scientists, community organizers, tribal members and others interested in climate change for over a decade. Please review the agenda and list of lightning talks that will be available, and keep an eye on our website for more details regarding plenary speakers, youth presentations, networking opportunities and more. Remember, our content will be available to all registrants for six months after the event — you don’t want to miss out! We hope you will join us for the Pacific Northwest’s premier regional climate change conference in April!

Request for Qualifications: Seeking artist for commissioned piece on climate resilience

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Call Summary

The University of Washington Climate Impacts Group is seeking qualifications for a two-dimensional visual art piece depicting climate resilience in the Northwest. This call is open to emerging artists located in the Northwestern United States. We define emerging artists as artists who have not received a commission greater than $10,000 or do not have commercial gallery representation.

Applications are due Monday, February 22. The selected artist will be announced in late March. The selected artist must complete their work by June 30, 2021, and present their work at a celebration for the Climate Impacts Group’s 25th anniversary at the end of June or in early July (exact date to be determined).

Artists will be compensated $3,000 for their time and materials.

Project Description

The Climate Impacts Group is commissioning a new two-dimensional original artwork that celebrates climate resilience and imagines a future in which the Northwest is prepared for the effects of a changing climate. We seek work that illustrates a possible future where we have adapted our systems so all can thrive.

In the Northwest and around the world, we are experiencing the effects of human-caused climate change. From extreme wildfire and drought impacting health and livelihoods, to sea level rise and flooding altering the landscapes of our coasts, we know that the impacts of a changing climate are serious — and are projected to get worse.

And yet there is hope for a future where these changes are minimized by rapid decarbonization, and where communities and ecosystems are resilient in the face of these impacts. There is hope because every day, people across the Northwest are making decisions to help us prepare for — and thrive in — the climate of the future. We are adjusting our infrastructure to prevent extreme flooding, constructing highway passages so elk, deer and other animals can find new habitat in a changing landscape, and bringing communities together to prepare for the effects of wildfire smoke.

The commissioned artist is encouraged to explore diverse materials to create a two-dimensional artwork that can be easily transported, presented in multiple locations and presented digitally.

This work is being commissioned as part of a celebration of climate resilience marking the Climate Impacts Group’s 25th anniversary. We’ve been working since 1995 to develop scientific understanding and catalyze regional action to address climate risks.

Art goals

  • Communicate the impacts of climate change on the Northwest and the importance of preparedness for those impacts
  • Communicate the importance of producing climate science that meets real-world needs
  • Inspire action, creativity and community around climate resilience
  • Connect the climate adaptation community and the public to a positive, hopeful vision for a healthier, more equitable, more sustainable future
  • Create something beautiful that can be shared widely online, in print and on social media.

Here are some questions to guide your thinking on this topic:  

  • How are people connected to the environment? How are we separated from it?
  • What does climate adaptation look like in the Northwest?
  • What kinds of communities, leaders and technologies do we need to prepare for climate change?
  • What will the world look like in 2045 as a result of climate adaptation?
  • What will the world look like in 2045 if we do not adapt to climate change?

Art Location

  • The final art piece will be debuted at a virtual celebration of the Climate Impacts Group’s 25th anniversary convening our partners, alumni and community members
  • The art piece will be displayed on the Group’s website and social media accounts
  • The artist is welcome to display the piece on their websites and social media accounts
  • The final art piece may rotate among the offices of Climate Impacts Group’s partner organizations or University of Washington Departments. The artist may be involved in discussions about how the piece will be displayed.

Budget

The budget for this project is $3,000. This amount is meant to cover materials as well as the artist’s time and labor in meetings with Climate Impacts Group staff and creating the artwork.

Artist Eligibility

  • Must be an emerging artist — someone who has not received a commission greater than $10,000 or does not have commercial gallery representation
  • Must reside in the Northwestern states of Washington, Oregon or Idaho
  • Must have familiarity with the impacts of climate change in the Northwest
  • Experience working with community members and/or stakeholders in a collaborative setting is encouraged (artist is expected to meet with Climate Impacts Group’s staff and partners to gather feedback about Northwest climate resilience and incorporate into project)
  • We are accepting applications from individuals only; artist teams are not eligible for this opportunity.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

Application Requirements

Your application should include the following:

  1. Visual support materials
  2. Annotated list of visual support materials
  3. Statement of interest
  4. Resume or short biography

1. Visual support materials

  • Please provide three to five examples of previous work, sent as digital images in jpg or png form
  • Use the following convention for the file name: LastName_FirstName_Photo#
  • Where available, provide examples of your work that best illustrate your ability to depict intersections of people and the environment.

2. Annotated list of visual support materials

Please include a PDF or Word document with a numbered list of the visual support materials, ordered to match the number in the file name. For each visual material listed, please include a brief description of the work, the materials, and the budget and client or commissioning organization as-applicable.

3. Statement of interest

Please describe, in 600 words or less, your interest in and vision for this project. Your statement should be written in a PDF or Word document and should answer the following questions:

  • Please introduce yourself as an artist and describe how your background, skills and knowledge make you a strong candidate for this opportunity
  • If you were selected to create an artistic representation of climate resilience, what would be your approach to this assignment?
  • What does climate resilience mean to you?

4. Resume or short biography

Your resume or short biography highlighting relevant experience that would make you a good candidate for this project. Since you will be meeting with Climate Impacts Group team members throughout the project, we are especially interested in your communication and project management skills.

Deadline

Submissions must be received on or before Monday, February 22, 2021.

Submission Process

Please send submissions to cig@uw.edu and use the subject line “[Your Last Name] Submission to RFQ for Climate Resilience Art 2021.” Submissions by mail or fax will not be accepted. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206.543.6450 or dso@uw.edu.

Selection Process

A review committee of two to four Climate Impacts Group scientists and/or partners will review the applications and select two to six finalists for interviews. During the interview process, applicants may be asked for an early concept description or sketch. Interviews will be held virtually in mid- March.

Selection Criteria

Visual supporting materials will be reviewed for:

  • Artistic excellence
  • Artistic vision

Statements of interest will be reviewed for:

  • Demonstrated interest in climate preparedness, environmental health and/or conservation
  • Cultural significance (such as encompassing diverse perspectives and including culturally and economically important species to the Northwest)
  • Demonstrated understanding of the impacts of climate change
  • Skills and abilities related to working with community members to develop a piece of art. Examples include: synthesizing lots of ideas and knowledges; facilitating or leading group discussions or feedback sessions; multi-disciplinary or cross-boundary thinking; openness and willingness to incorporate feedback into the work.

Project Timeline

(This is a preliminary timeline and subject to slight changes) 

  • Finalists will be interviewed in mid-March and a winner will be announced in late March.
  • Alongside the Climate Impacts Group’s communications specialist, the artist will schedule several virtual interviews and group discussions with Climate Impacts Group staff and partners during the month of April to learn more about CIG’s work and vision for the project.
  • The artist will meet virtually with a local eco-artist and teacher for mentorship and support three times throughout the project. Meetings will happen on a schedule co-determined by the artist and mentor.
  • A concept proposal is due in late-April.
  • The artist and Climate Impacts Group staff will meet once, virtually, during the first week of May to discuss the concept map and provide feedback.
  • A complete draft of the piece will be due in early June.
  • The final art piece is due, sent in a high-resolution digital file, by June 30.
  • The artist will be asked to present their work at a virtual celebration of CIG’s 25th anniversary, to be scheduled at the end of June/early July.

Budget Timeline

  • Start of Project: 10% of budget
  • Concept proposal: 15% of budget
  • Delivery of project: Balance

Mentorship

As part of this project, the chosen artist will be mentored by a local, established eco-artist and teacher. The mentorship will focus on incorporating collaboratively-generated ideas into their artwork and artistic expression. The artist and mentor will decide together on the schedule and level of formality for meetings.

Resources for Questions

Please direct any questions to Tess Wrobleski at cig@uw.edu. Please include in your subject line “Inquiry re: RFQ for Climate Resilience Artist 2021.”

About the Climate Impacts Group

Since 1995, the Climate Impacts Group has studied the effects of fluctuations in climate, including human-caused climate change, on communities, economies and ecosystems in the Northwest. Working with partners in Washington, Oregon, British Columbia, Idaho, Montana and Northern California, we have developed tools and resources to help people in government agencies, businesses and community organizations to prepare for the effects of a changing climate.

Statement from the University of Washington about Work for Hire

All Materials produced under this Contract shall be considered “works for hire” as defined by the U.S. Copyright Act and shall be owned by the UW. The UW shall be considered the author of such Materials. If the Materials are not considered “works for hire” under the U.S. Copyright laws, the Contractor hereby irrevocably assigns all right, title, and interest in Materials, including all intellectual property rights, to the UW effective from the moment of creation of such Materials. For Materials that are delivered under this Contract, but that incorporate pre-existing materials not produced under this Contract, the Contractor grants to the UW a nonexclusive, royalty-free, irrevocable license (with rights to sublicense others) in such Materials to translate, reproduce, distribute, prepare derivative works, publicly perform, and publicly display. The Contractor warrants and represents that the Contractor has all rights and permissions, including intellectual property rights, moral rights, and rights of publicity, necessary to grant such a license to the UW. The UW shall receive prompt written notice of each notice or claim of copyright infringement received by the Contractor with respect to any Materials delivered under this Contract. The UW shall have the right to modify or remove any restrictive markings placed upon the Materials by the Contractor.

Sources for Additional Information

For more information about how climate change stands to impact the Northwest, check out our nine-page reports “Shifting Snowlines and Shorelines” and “No Time to Waste.”

Check out our sea level rise data visualization tool and our tribal vulnerability assessment resources.

Read selected media coverage of our work: 

Gov. Inslee points to climate change as wildfires choke Washington state, West Coast | KOMONews | September 15
[Gov. Jay Inlsee] and a fire ecologist warned during a news conference that if something isn’t done about climate change, conditions will worsen for the U.S. CIG Climate Adaptation Specialist Crystal Raymond is quoted: “As bad as it is now (and) as high as the risks are now, they will continue to worsen as long as climate change is an issue. We can expect to see more extreme fire danger days, longer fire seasons and overall greater acreage burned.”

Chehalis: A Watershed Moment | PBS | June 11
This documentary captures the diverse perspectives of stakeholders involved in creating the  Chehalis Basin Strategy, which aims to reduce flood damage and restore salmon habitat throughout the entire Chehalis Basin. CIG Research Scientist Guillaume Mauger is interviewed.

Climate change’s impact on Washington weather | The UW Daily | April 20
The projected impacts of decreasing snowpack in Washington are discussed. CIG Researcher Harriet Morgan was interviewed: “Basically, the snowpack is nature’s water bottle. It’s storing our water so that we have some of it in the summer when we’re not getting that rain. What’s happening as temperatures warm? Our snowpack is declining.”

Tacoma redesigning popular beach using climate change projections | King 5 News | Feb 12
CIG’s sea level rise resources are mentioned.

New report describes anticipated climate-change effects in Washington state | Puget Sound Institute | Feb 6
CIG Director Amy Snover was interviewed for this blog post summarizing the Snowlines and Shorelines report. “That’s the happy secret of climate change. There is more happening than most people know. That being said, it isn’t really enough. It’s just the beginning, and a lot more needs to be done.”

January 27 Virtual Panel Line-up Announced

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We are very excited to host Soo Ing-Moody, Nuin-Tara Key, David Reidmiller and Don Sampson for our January 27 lecture: Building Climate Resilience During COVID-19 Recovery. These experts on climate impacts science and policy – representing different levels of government and a range of geographies – will discuss how we can leverage the period of economic and social recovery following COVID-19 to build resilience to climate change.

Register for the lecture 

This event is the second of three lectures marking the 25th anniversary of the Climate Impacts Group. The first lecture is available to view on our website; the third lecture will be held online on March 30. For more information about our anniversary, visit the 25th anniversary event page.

Learn about our panelists:

 

Soo Ing-Moody has served for more than a decade as the mayor of Twisp, a town of just under 1000 people in the Methow Valley of Washington State. Soo is known for her active engagement in addressing local, regional and state policy issues.  After leading the town through several federally declared disasters — first, through devastating wildfires in 2014 and 2015, and now through the coronavirus pandemic — she is known for her involvement in emergency communications and management, and economic resiliency and recovery. She is President of the Association of Washington Cities, leading efforts to ensure equity and inclusion for all cities and towns, supporting efforts for healthy and vital communities and the development of climate resiliency toolkits for local governments. Soo currently serves on the UN’s Urban Economy Forum Steering Committee in support of the UN’s established STGs. Soo is a freelance consultant, who has worked for the Global Fire Monitoring Center in Germany and the USFS to better understand community perceptions on wildfire. Soo holds a B.A. in Sociology and German Language and Literature from the University of Toronto, an M.A. in Sociology and English Literature from the Universitaet Freiburg im Breisgau in Germany, and a certificate in Human Resources Management from Ryerson University in Toronto.

Nuin-Tara Key is deputy director for Climate Resilience for the State of California Office of Planning and Research and chair of the Technical Advisory Council for the Integrated Climate Adaptation and Resiliency Program. Prior to joining the Office of Planning and Research, Nuin-Tara co-founded an international initiative on community-based climate action and worked in the public, private, and non-profit sectors on sustainable urban and regional planning and policy, with a focus on social equity and climate change. She has a Master of Urban and Regional Planning from Portland State University and a BA from Lewis and Clark College.

David Reidmiller is the director of the interdisciplinary Climate Center at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute, and a member of the transition team for the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. At the Gulf of Maine Research Institute, he draws across the breadth of the organization to help people, communities and businesses understand and anticipate how climate change affects them. Prior to joining the Research Institute, Dave served as acting director of the Northeast and Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Centers (CASC) with the U.S. Geological Survey. There, he oversaw a unique partnership between the federal government and university consortia to advance and deliver science to help fish, wildlife, habitat, and people adapt to a changing climate. Before joining the CASC Network, Dave directed the Fourth National Climate Assessment as part of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, where he coordinated the work of 300+ volunteer experts from across the country in an effort to understand and address climate risks facing the nation. Dr. Reidmiller has deep international climate science policy experience, as well, having served in the State Department’s Office of Global Change for five years under the Obama Administration, where he led U.S. engagement in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and was the lead U.S. science and technology negotiator for the Paris Agreement. Dave holds a B.Sc in Chemistry from Colgate University and a Ph.D. in Atmospheric Sciences from the University of Washington.

Don Sampson is the climate change project director for the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, a consortium of 57-tribes in the Pacific Northwest. In 2015 he was one of 15 Indigenous representatives from North America at the Paris Climate Accords (COP21). Don was also the former executive director of the Institute of Tribal Government (2012-2017) part of the Center for Public Service at Portland State University. Mr. Sampson was the former executive director (2003-2010) and Chairman (1994-1997) of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation in Oregon; overseeing all tribal government and business operations with over 1500 employees. He was the executive director of the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission from 1997-2003. He is an enrolled citizen of the Umatilla Tribe.

Dr. Amy Snover is the director of the University of Washington Climate Impacts Group and Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center. She is an innovator in linking climate science with on-the-ground needs of resource managers, planners and policymakers to ensure that Pacific Northwest people, communities and ecosystems thrive in a changing climate. She directs scientific efforts to provide the fundamental understanding, data, tools and technical support necessary for managing the climate risks. Dr. Snover was recognized as a White House Champion of Change for Climate Education and Literacy in 2015 and served as co-convening lead author for the Third US National Climate Assessment and lead author of the ground-breaking 2007 guidebook, Preparing for Climate Change: A Guidebook for Local, Regional, and State Governments.

Director’s Corner: Expressing Gratitude at the End of a Long Year

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We are coming to the end of a challenging year. This time last year, none of us could have imagined what 2020 would look like. A pandemic that would bring heartbreaking death, loss and broken dreams; widespread civil unrest in response to ongoing racial injustice and police violence; and unprecedented Western wildfires with a record-breaking Atlantic hurricane season. Many of us, including the Climate Impacts Group team, struggled with the challenges of working from home while raising and schooling children, while many others lost their jobs or risked everything to keep them.

In my October blog post I mentioned turning to gratitude during these difficult times. As we wrap up this year and look forward to the opportunities the new year brings, I wanted to take some time to share what I’m grateful for.

I am grateful for our partners — the individuals and organizations across the Northwest using our science to reduce climate vulnerabilities and advance climate resilience. Despite all the challenges 2020 threw your way, you managed to make some really amazing things happen. The Washington Department of Natural Resources, King County, Chelan County and the Methow Valley all released Climate Resiliency Action Plans; Washington’s Insurance Commissioner held his annual Climate Summit; and the Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Climate Impacts Group won a 2020 Climate Leadership Award for their work on climate-resilient fish passages, to name just a few.

I am grateful for the support of our donors and funders. In the last year, your contributions made it possible for us to reach new audiences and build new partnerships that we’ll be announcing in 2021. Your support is allowing us to develop new tools for conservation decision-making in a changing climate and staff the strategic efforts of a trans-boundary, trans-jurisdictional partnership for large-landscape adaptation. Most importantly, your support enables us to immediately address climate-related knowledge and capacity gaps as they emerge.

I am grateful for the skill, creativity and dedication of the Climate Impacts Group team. You pivoted to online work with grace and patience, juggling family and home-schooling responsibilities while still moving your important work forward. When the pandemic struck, your concerns were with our partners in public health and how we could lighten some of their load. When protests against police brutality and racial injustice erupted across the country, you showed up and dug into the ongoing process of learning and working to reshape our work and partnerships to better support racial justice and equity. In the midst of the exhaustion, stress and anxiety, you supported each other and never wavered from your conviction in the urgency of our mission. I’m grateful for you, and I’m grateful for the Climate Impacts Group alumni who paved the way for our work today.

I am grateful for the moments of joy and silliness that have lightened this year. Seeing colleagues’ babies, cats and dogs on Zoom calls has helped connect us as humans. Staring out the window has connected me with nature in my neighborhood. And I’m still laughing over the Quarantine boogie.

Finally, I am grateful for the increasing acknowledgment that the roots of this year’s losses, tragedies and trauma run deep. And the recognition that we need concerted, collaborative efforts to create a world where society is just, the climate is stable, families are healthy, work is safe and people and nature can thrive.

As we turn the page on the year 2020, I’ll leave you with my current favorite line of poetry:

“Where there’s music, someone chose to make a song / over all other things on earth.” 
– “Blueberries for Cal” by Brenda Shaughnessy, in The Octopus Museum.

Let’s all make music in 2021.

– Amy

 

Stories of Building Climate Resilience Lecture Available to View

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From Cliffs to Coasts: Stories of Building Climate Resilience, originally held live on Zoom on December 3, 2020, combines storytelling and panel discussions to highlight examples of communities and organizations building climate resilience in the Northwestern United States and Canada. Climate Impacts Group partners and scientists discuss efforts to prepare for rising sea levels and ensure wildlife across the Pacific Northwest have access to suitable habitat.

This lecture is one in a three-part series of events marking the 25th anniversary of the Climate Impacts Group. The second and third lectures will be held online in January and March, 2021. For more information and to register for these events, visit the 25th anniversary event page.

Learn more about our panelists and moderator below:

Courtney Greiner is a marine ecologist for the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community. She studied Environmental Science at Western Washington University and Marine Affairs at University of Washington. She has been working in the Tribe’s Fisheries Department since 2012 assisting in shellfish management and research. Her current focus is addressing climate change impacts on coastal resources and she is the project manager for the clam garden project.

 

Meade stands in front of water and mountains wearing a blue hat and jacketMeade Krosby is a senior scientist with the UW Climate Impacts Group. She is also the University Deputy Director of the Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center. Dr. Krosby works closely with land and wildlife managers to collaboratively understand and address climate impacts on species and ecosystems. Her current work includes vulnerability assessment and adaptation planning; large landscape conservation planning for climate resilience; and efforts to build climate adaptation capacity and communities of practice. Dr. Krosby received a B.S. in Biology from Cornell University and a Ph.D. in Biology from the University of Washington. Follow Meade on Twitter: @MeadeKrosby

Harriet Morgan is a research consultant with the UW Climate Impacts Group. In close collaboration with state and local agencies, communities, and tribes, Harriet evaluates the effects of climate change on natural resources throughout the Pacific Northwest, with a special focus on species and ecosystem vulnerability assessments and adaptation plans. Harriet received a B.S. in Conservation Biology from McGill University and a M.S. in Conservation Ecology from the University of Michigan. Follow Harriet on Twitter: @HarrietMorgan0

 

Jason Ransom is a member of the IUCN Species Survival Commission, a senior wildlife ecologist at the US National Park Service, and affiliate faculty at Colorado State University. His work is on the front lines of applied conservation science in Africa and North America. Dr. Ransom’s research focuses on restoration science, phenology of biological phenomena, behavioural adaptation to environmental change, and the importance of protected areas to landscape level conservation. Ransom works collaboratively across agencies, organisations, and diverse stakeholder groups, a practice he feels is essential to addressing even the most basic conservation challenges. Follow Jason on Twitter: @wildequids

Jen Watkins is the science, planning, and monitoring assistant division manager of the Forest Health and Resiliency Division of the Washington Department of Natural Resources. Jen is one of the founding members of the Cascadia Partner Forum, a group of individuals, organizations and communities working across boundaries to increase knowledge, coordination, and attention towards climate adaptation priority issues. Issues include ecosystem processes, natural resources, species, and management issues. Jen holds a bachelor’s degree from the College of Forest Resources from the University of Washington.

Lara Whitely Binder is the climate preparedness program manager for King County, where she is responsible for leading and coordinating King County’s efforts to prepare for the impacts of climate change. This includes working across County departments to integrate climate resilience into policies and practices, and strengthening regional partnerships to address shared challenges and opportunities related to climate preparedness. Prior to joining King County, Lara worked for 17 years with the Climate Impacts Group, first as a graduate student and then as professional staff advancing climate adaptation practice across the Pacific Northwest. Lara holds a master’s degree in public policy from the Evans School at the University of Washington.

Moderator

Dr. Amy Snover is the director of the University of Washington Climate Impacts Group and Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center. She is an innovator in linking climate science with on-the-ground needs of resource managers, planners and policymakers to ensure that Pacific Northwest people, communities and ecosystems thrive in a changing climate. She directs scientific efforts to provide the fundamental understanding, data, tools and technical support necessary for managing the climate risks. Dr. Snover was recognized as a White House Champion of Change for Climate Education and Literacy in 2015 and served as co-convening lead author for the Third US National Climate Assessment and lead author of the ground-breaking 2007 guidebook, Preparing for Climate Change: A Guidebook for Local, Regional, and State Governments.

Register for our December 3 lecture. To learn more about the Climate Impacts Group’s 25th anniversary and to register for future events, visit our anniversary webpage.