EPA just launched a new Web site to help state and local governments understand, plan, and implement strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions within their jurisdictions.
The State and Local Climate and Energy Program Web site, www.epa.gov/statelocalclimate, brings together EPA resources to serve as a one-stop shop for government officials seeking information on climate change and clean energy. The site provides:
Resources on energy efficiency, renewable energy, waste management, workforce development, health, adaptation, and more. “How to” information for developing a climate change action plan or greenhouse gas inventory along with maps showing which states and localities have them in place. Guidance on evaluating policy and program options and measuring results. A calendar of upcoming climate change and clean energy webcasts and conferences. Podcasts and video recordings of State and Local Climate and Energy Program webcasts.
Featured Resource: Assessing the Multiple Benefits of Clean Energy: A Resource for States
This resource will help state energy, environmental, and economic policy makers identify and quantify the many benefits of clean energy. This groundbreaking document is the first to organize and present a comprehensive review of the multiple benefits of clean energy, together with an analytical framework that states can use to assess those benefits during the development and implementation of clean energy policies and programs. Access the resource at:
To be notified of upcoming Webcasts, hear about state and local climate and energy news, and learn of enhancements to the Web site, join theState and Local Climate and Energy Listserv by visiting:
Reports to: North America Climate Change Program Coordinator
Location: Bozeman, MT (or Portland, OR)
Application deadline: Looking to fill position immediately
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has been dedicated to conserving the earth's
biodiversity since its establishment in 1898 as the New York Zoological Society (NYZS). As part of WCS’s Global Conservation Program, the North America Program saves wildlife and wild places by understanding critical issues, crafting science-based solutions, and taking conservation actions that benefit nature and humanity. The North America Program employs approximately 50 people in the US and Canada and has an annual operating budget of about $5.5M; US-based programs comprise approximately 70% of this. WCS focuses on three major conservation outcomes including:
i)Saving the Best of the Wild
ii)Conserving Priority Species
iii)Resolving Critical Wildlife Challenges including Climate Change, Local Livelihoods, Wildlife Health, Natural Resource Use, and Ecological Connectivity.
This position will provide support to efforts that address the Climate Change challenge at several landscapes in North America, including the northern U.S. Rocky Mountains, the AdirondackPark, and Arctic Alaska.
Position Objectives: The Climate Change Assistant Conservationist will provide scientific, conservation, andtechnical support for climate change adaptation projects at several landscapes across NorthAmerica, aimed at applying best-available climate change science to identify or modifyconservation and management practices.The Climate Change Assistant Conservationist is expected to work in close collaboration with
landscape, challenge and project leaders within the WCS North America Program as well as scientists and managers at other organizations, universities and government agencies, and diverse stakeholders at particular landscapes.
Duties and Responsibilities:
• Work with the North America Climate Change Program Coordinator to implement
climate change adaptation projects and synthesize lessons learned on climate change
adaptation across North American landscapes.
• Provide support to existing adaptation efforts by contributing ideas on how to approach
adaptation planning and implementation, helping to facilitate climate change workshops
and working group meetings, contributing to workshop report writing, and other project
activities.
• Build, maintain, and facilitate cross-agency and cross-organizational working groups.
• Contribute to the development of new projects aimed at implementing the Wildlife
Conservation Society North America Program’s climate change strategic plan.
• Synthesize, analyze, and interpret emerging climate change science for conservation
practitioners and policy-makers, and stay abreast of the latest developments in climate
change adaptation for biodiversity conservation and other sectors.
• Report project findings in peer-reviewed scientific publications as well as through
appropriate internal and external communication vehicles.
• Provide climate change adaptation expertise to national, regional and local climate
change planning efforts.
• Contribute to grant writing and other development activities related to raising funds for
climate change projects in North America.
Qualifications:
• Demonstrated commitment to the mission of the Wildlife Conservation Society.
• Master’s degree in science-related field and 3-4 years experience, or Ph.D. and 1-2 years
experience (or equivalent combination of education and experience). Research
background in understanding ecological or hydrological consequences of climate change
preferred.
• Knowledge of current trends in climate change research, and practices and issues in
biodiversity conservation under climate change.
• Experience translating science research into practical and applied guidance for
conservation and management, preferably on the topic of climate change.
• Demonstrated strong writing and oral communications skills to effectively communicate
project findings to a broad constituency, including both scientific and lay audiences (e.g.,
scientists, policy staff, managers, donors, and the general public).
• Demonstrated ability to organize and facilitate workshops and working group meetings.
• Record of successful fundraising, grant writing, or research proposals.
• Willingness to travel to and work with partners in multiple locations across North
America.
To apply, please submit a cover letter, CV, and list of 3 references via WCS’ website
(http://www.wcs.org/about-us/careers/opportunities-in-the-field.aspx). Questions regarding the position can be directed to mcross@wcs.org.
A partnership between the National Wildlife Federation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
The U.S. Fish and Wild Service and National Wildlife Federation have developed a series of web conferences to increase communication and transfer of technical information between conservation professionals regarding the increasing challenges from climate change. This program is being facilitated by the USFWS's NationalConservationTraining Center (NCTC).
You are invited to attend: Thursday, February 18, 2010, 2:30PM - 4:00PM EST
Topic: "Assessing Vulnerability to Climate Change: Case Studies for Species and Systems"
Instructor: Joshua J. Lawler, School of Forest Resources, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
YOU MUST REGISTER BY WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 5:00PM ET TO JOIN THIS WEBINAR
The web conferences last about 1 to 1.5 hours including a question-and-answer session. Topics are climate change and wildlife-related and will include scientists from academia, government, and private conservation organizations. The conferences are targeted at a technical level equivalent to that of a graduate seminar and assume that the participants already have some knowledge of and background with the topic.
The web conferences use the Microsoft Live Meeting software program. Conference advertisement and registration is through DOI LEARN. All conferences, including questions and answers, are recorded and available in NCTC’s web library. To view archived webinars in this series, go to:
If you have any questions regarding the Climate Change webinars, please contact: Donna C. Brewer, Curriculum Manager, Conservation Science and Policy, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, National Conservation TrainingCenter, Shepherdstown, WV304/876-7451,donna_brewer@fws.gov
Naomi Edelson, Sr. Manager, State Wildlife Programs, National
Wildlife Federation, National Advocacy Center, Washington, DC
202/ 797-6889, edelsonn@nwf.org
Registration Information: Registration for all of the webinars is through DOILearn. To register go to: https://doilearn.doi.gov/ and follow these instructions:
Department of Interior Applicants:
Log in DOI Learn using your Log-in name and password.
Click on "Course Catalog" tab.
Click on "Catalog".
In the search menu box, type CSP3902 and click "Search".
Click on title of webinar.
Scroll to the webinar session you are interested in.
Enter $0 in the amounts estimated and enter "Agency" for who is funding.
Click on "Preview Schedule".
Under "Options", click "Apply".
You will receive an email from me two days prior to the webinar with instructions
on how to log-on through Live Meeting.
Non-Department of Interior Applicants: There is not a tuition charge for these
1. Use the “Public Catalog Login” in DOI Learn to register for the Webinars
2. Once in the Catalog, search on “Safeguarding Wildlife from Climate Change” or
"CSP3902"
3. Click on title of topic
4. Scroll down the course description until you find the webinar session you are
interested in
5. Select “Apply”
6. Fill out the registration form; where it asks for Payment
Type, select “none required”; Click “Go”; then click on “Submit
Order”
Due to your computer configuration, you might receive an error message that says your application will not go through. If this happens, in the Payment Type, select "credit card" and in the name of the credit card holder, type your name. The Data Steward will know not to ask for credit card information sine she knows there is not tuition due.
7. You will receive an email from me two days prior to the webinar with
instructions on how to log-on through Live Meeting.
If you have any questions registering, please contact me at the address and/or phone number below.
On January 21st, 2010 the State Department posted a public notice on the Federal Register for recommendations for US authors and reviewers to the 5th Assessment Report of the IPCC. Qualified U.S. experts who wish to be considered should submit an electronic application and supporting material to the United States Global Change Research Program website http://www.globalchange.gov . Please distribute this information to climate change experts that you work closely with on adaptation issues. It would be beneficial to have experts from wildlife disciplines to be part of the IPCC, particularly those who are knowledgeable of the needs of state fish & wildlife agencies. The deadline for nominations is February 15th, 2010.
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) seeks a strategic, analytical conservationist to build adaptation to climate change into our global field programs and to represent WCS on this issue in global policy forums. This full-time position, based at WCS’s headquarters, the Bronx Zoo in New York City, offers the opportunity to join an extraordinary team of committed conservationists, to influence conservation practice in over fifty countries, and to build a reputation in one of conservation’s fastest growing fields.
WCS saves wildlife and wild places through a global program of landscape, seascape, and species conservation projects employing over 3,000 in Africa, Asia, the Americas, and the world’s oceans. In global policy forums, we are listened to as scientists and conservationists with unrivalled field experience and success.
The Climate Adaptation Coordinator will have three main areas of responsibility:
·Working with our regional, country, landscape, seascape, and species programs to ensure that each incorporates planning for adaptation to climate change and to promote cross-program learning;
·Representing WCS at global policy forums to promote successful approaches to climate adaptation and the central role of biodiversity conservation in this endeavor;
·Spearhead the development of an organization-wide climate adaptation strategy and help fundraise to implement this strategy.
The successful candidate will have: an advanced degree in landscape ecology, climate change ecology, modeling climate impacts on natural systems, conservation biology, or a related field; GIS skills; experience implementing strategic initiatives across a global organization; demonstrated ability to thrive in an organization characterized by a highly educated and mission-driven workforce; and strong interpersonal and communications skills including the ability to summarize concisely scientific findings.
Apply by sending an application letter and CV together with the names and contact information for three referees to recruitment@wcs.org, and Pamela Watim (pwatim@wcs.org). For more information about Wildlife Conservation Society and a full job description, please visit our website at: http://www.wcs.org.
Resource managers are often required to make tough decisions, especially when the science is uncertain. However, these decisions must be defensible if called into question. It is often unclear what the full impact of an environmental problem will be and what kind of impacts (both intended and unintended) the solution may have. There is growing scientific consensus that a major shift in climate is underway worldwide, with profound implications for natural resource management. Adaptation to climate change will be an especially challenging issue for management agencies because decisions will be made, in many cases, based on an incomplete understanding of climate change impacts, particularly at the local level. Adaptive management and structured decision making are critical tools for making management decisions with incomplete information and high levels of uncertainty. Structured decision making is a decision analysis process that can help overcome challenges by breaking down difficult decisions such that a decision can be acceptable to a broad range of stakeholders. Adaptive management allows decision making to proceed even in the face of profound uncertainty about outcomes by treating management decisions as testable hypotheses.
Recognizing the importance of adaptive management and structured decision making, the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Science & Research Committee is developing a series of workshops for state fish and wildlife agencies to provide them with the tools for making decisions in a scientifically defensible manner. The first workshop at the 2009 North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference focused on using adaptive management and structured decision making for invasive species management. For the second workshop the Science & Research Committee, in collaboration with the Associations Climate Change Committee, will present how adaptive management and the structured decision making process can be used to address climate change adaptation issues and can also be built into State Wildlife Action Plans revisions, as well as revisions for other plans.
The workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, March 22nd from 8am-12pm during the 2010 North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference in Milwaukee, WI.
ManometCenter for Conservation Sciences has received a three-year $750,000 grant from the Kresge Foundation, based in Troy, Michigan, to develop climate change adaptation strategies for rural resource sectors, such as forestry and agriculture. The three-year project titled “Moving from Vulnerability to Resilience: Sustaining Ecosystem
Services in the face of Climate Change” will focus on developing management strategies and policies for building resilient ecosystem services—those goods and services nature provides to people, such as clean water, food production, clean air, wood, flood control, space for recreation, and wildlife, many of which are essential to human survival and well-being.
Scientists know the climate will change and affect these services. The project will help landowners and communities learn how to adapt to impending changes by developing and implementing strategies that make the ecosystem services more resilient to climate change.
The project will work with four key sectors influencing rural landscapes in New England: forestry, agriculture, rural residential development, and conservation lands (such as state parks and wildlife refuges). The project will develop climate change adaptation strategies with individual landowners or managers and larger-scale watersheds and counties. Project sites will be located in southeastern Massachusetts and southern and mid-coast Maine. The project is one of the first in the nation to focus on building climate change resilience into ecosystem services through practical, on-the-ground management actions.
“This project is about getting climate change adaptation going now, on the ground, by working with people who live and work in rural landscapes,” said Manomet’s President Dr. John Hagan. “This is an opportunity to do something locally while participating in a larger national effort to learn how to confront climate change. The Copenhagen climate change conference last December made some progress, but we can’t wait for 180 nations to see eye-to-eye in order to get to work and protect our ‘quality of place.’”
“We need to do all we can to minimize climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but we also need to adapt to the changes we know will take place,” noted Dr. Hector Galbraith, Director of Manomet’s Climate Change and Energy Initiative. “In a best case scenario, New England’s climate by the end of the century could be like Virginia’s climate today, with all kinds of implications for New England agriculture and forestry, rural communities, and wildlife species. We have to start thinking ahead, and thinking ahead will lead to more sustainable and resilient systems to all kinds of stressors, not just to climate change.”
The National Wildlife Federation will be working on the project with Manomet to identify local, state, and national policies that would help landowners and communities adapt to climate change.
Recently, the Kresge Foundation established a new program in climate change, energy
efficiency, and renewable energy. The investment in Manomet’s work reflects the Foundation’s commitment to work in partnership with like-minded organizations to protect the planet and promote its long-term sustainability for future generations. “Manomet is playing a leadership role in helping people tackle the practical challenges of climate change,” said John Nordgren, Kresge’s Senior Program Officer and leader of its Climate Change Adaptation Program. “Manomet has a long and well-established reputation for knowing how to work with land managers to get things done on the ground.”
As one of the nation's oldest non-profit environmental research organizations, Manomet is dedicated to conserving natural resources for both humans and wildlife. Through science and public engagement, Manomet works to integrate society’s social, economic, and environmental values to create sustainable systems for present and future generations. Manomet’s headquarters are in Plymouth, Massachusetts, but it also has offices in Maine, Vermont, Mexico, and Chile. Learn more about Manomet at www.manomet.org.
The Kresge Foundation (www.kresge.org) is a $2.9 billion private, national foundation that seeks to influence the quality of life for future generations through its support of nonprofit organizations in six fields of interest: health, the environment, community development, arts and culture, education, and human services.
