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 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.