Flooding, sea level rise, storm surge, heat, and other climate change challenges cross-cut political boundaries. Facing a crisis without set boundaries, how can communities, agencies, and non-profit organizations plan for climate change at the regional scale? Join experts from across the country to learn about different regional approaches to building climate change resilience for people and nature. Speakers will explore the benefits and challenges of bringing communities together at the watershed, coastal, and other regional scales in order to move from planning through to action.

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Forum Recording

Forum Speakers

Climate Resilience: What do Political Boundaries Have to Do with It?

Violeta Duncan
Principal
Duncan Núñez Consulting, LLC

Oregon’s Approach to Watershed Restoration

Stephanie Page – Presenting Virtually
Acting Director
Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board

Preparing Streams and Communities for Climate Change: The Berkshire Clean, Cold and Connected Restoration Partnership

Kate Bednaz – Presenting Virtually
Restoration Coordinator
Berkshires Clean Cold Connected Partnership

Michael Jastremski – Presenting Virtually
Watershed Conservation Director
Housatonic Valley Association

Erik Reardon – Presenting Virtually
Berkshire Watershed Director
Housatonic Valley Association

Opportunities and Challenges: Climate Adaptation in an Indigenous Community

Jason Steiding
Director
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Natural Resources Department

ResilientCoasts Strategy – Managing Impacts of Sea Level Rise and Coastal Storms Across the Massachusetts Coast

Julia Knisel
Coastal Shoreline and Floodplain Manager
Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM)

Moderated Discussion

Forum Co-Chairs

Mark Costa
Senior Water Resources Engineer
VHB

Melanie Gárate
Senior Associate
Consensus Building Institute

Beth Lambert
Director, Division of Ecological Restoration
Department of Fish and Game, Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Carolyn Norkiewicz
Regional Coordinator for Greater Boston, Municipal Vulnerability Program
Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, Commonwealth of Massachusetts