New Chapter for Climate Impacts Group Director Amy Snover

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A woman and a man are smiling at the camera and holding up glasses of champagne. They are outside in the sun. Both people have sunglasses on their heads.Dr. Amy Snover, director of the UW Climate Impacts Group, is retiring on June 15, 2022, having worked for the Climate Impacts Group for more than 20 years and served as the director for nearly a decade. In her time at the Climate Impacts Group, Amy has grown and strengthened our team and programs significantly. Amy led the team in successful applications to host the USGS-funded Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center and the NOAA-funded Northwest Climate Resilience Collaborative, broadening the scope and reach of our work. She has developed enduring partnerships with policymakers, resource managers, researchers and others across the Northwest and beyond.

“I’m leaving the Climate Impacts Group knowing that the organization has never been stronger, more nimble, or better equipped to help ensure that the people and nature of the Northwest thrive in a changing climate,” Snover said. “The group is well prepared for this transition, with a creative and experienced team, strong leaders and strong institutional support and partnerships. I will be excited to watch the Climate Impacts Group flourish with the fresh energy, talent and direction that will come with a new generation of leadership.”

Amy first worked with the Climate Impacts Group during the course of gaining her Ph.D. in Analytical/Environmental Chemistry at the University of Washington. After graduating, she joined the Group as a postdoctoral fellow. She contributed to our foundation of knowledge of how climate affects Northwest communities, economies and ecosystems — authoring one of the first comprehensive summaries of anticipated climate change impacts for the Northwest.

Amy’s work and expertise is highly regarded on the regional and national scale. For her innovative efforts to help ensure a climate-resilient world for all, Amy was recognized as a White House Champion of Change for Climate Education and Literacy in 2015. She was lead author of the groundbreaking 2007 guidebook, Preparing for Climate Change: A Guidebook for Local, Regional, and State Governments, and has led the development of several major synthesis reports on the impacts of climate change, used by policymakers, scientists, resource managers and many others.

One of many qualities that has made Amy an exceptional leader is her commitment to technical excellence and insistence on understanding real-world contexts and opportunities for knowledge use. Through her leadership and example, she has inspired the team to produce and deliver rigorous science that is both useful and used.

Amy is leaving to spend more time with her husband, Chip, who retired several years ago.

As a team, we are so excited for this next chapter in Amy’s life, and wish her (and Chip!) many incredible adventures in their retirement. We extend a heartfelt thank-you for the energy and expertise Amy has dedicated to helping the Northwest prepare for the impacts of climate change. Amy, We will miss your collaborative spirit, tenacious inquiry and passion for the incredible beauty of the Northwest.

Amy is working closely with leadership at the Climate Impacts Group and Ben Packard, executive director of EarthLab (CIG’s home at the University of Washington) to prepare for an open search to find a new director for the Climate Impacts Group. We aim to hire a new director by September 2022. More details, including a full job description, will be shared on the Climate Impacts Group website soon.

Dr. Meade Krosby, currently the deputy university director for the Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center, will be taking over for Amy as the University Director for the Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center. Dr. Jason Vogel, deputy director of the Climate Impacts Group, will co-lead the Northwest Climate Resilience Collaborative in the interim, alongside Dr. Jennifer Allen at Portland State University.

New Chapter for CIG Researcher Harriet Morgan  

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Harriet holds up a "sea level rise cake" baked and designed by Laura Davis of EarthLab. The cake celebrated the release of the 2018 Sea Level Rise Projections developed as part of the Washington Coastal Resilience Project.After seven years with the University of Washington Climate Impacts Group, Harriet Morgan is leaving to start a new chapter as the Climate Coordinator for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). In her new role, Harriet will be collaborating with internal and external partners to facilitate the development and implementation of a coordinated agency response to the impacts of climate change. This includes building off the agency’s recently developed report ‘Preparing Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife for a Changing Climate: Assessing Risks and Opportunities for Action.’

As a Research Scientist with the Climate Impacts Group, Harriet has been involved in many facets of climate resiliency across the region—from planning to implementation. She has initiated, scoped and completed over a dozen climate change vulnerability assessments and adaptation plans. A few of Harriet’s major projects include the NOAA-funded Washington Coastal Resilience Project, where she worked to develop an updated set of sea level rise projections for Washington state; leading the Nooksack Indian Tribe’s Natural and Cultural Resources Department climate change adaptation work for key species and habitats; and working with local jurisdictions in Oregon to develop heavy precipitation projections for use in stormwater planning. In the picture at left, Harriet holds up a cake baked and designed by Laura Davis of EarthLab. The cake celebrated the release of the 2018 Sea Level Rise Projections developed as part of the Washington Coastal Resilience Project.

We extend our gratitude to Harriet for her dedication and contributions to the Climate Impacts Group and wider Pacific Northwest community. Harriet’s last day in the office was December 1. She will start her role with WDFW on January 3, 2022. Please join us in sending a hearty congratulations to Harriet as she steps into her role at WDFW.