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Improving climate-adaptation planning for coastal communities: local planning informed by regional hazard exposure analysis

Wednesday, February 8, 2017 | 10:30 am
134 Morrill Science Center or via remote connection (see webinar information, above)
Nate Wood and Taj Scotland
USGS Western Geographic Science Center,
National Wildlife Federation

The presentation will summarize (a) efforts of the National Wildlife Federation to support community-based, climate adaptation planning in the Great Marsh Region, MA, and (b) a complementary U.S. Geological Survey analysis of community exposure in this area to coastal-inundation hazards associated with sea level rise and storm scenarios. Community exposure was characterized by integrating GIS data representing land cover, populations, economic assets, critical facilities, and infrastructure with coastal-hazard zones from the Woods Hole Group that estimate inundation extents and water depth for three time periods.

 

Nate Wood is a research geographer with the U.S. Geological Survey Western Geographic Science Center and is located in Portland, Oregon. He earned a Ph.D. in geography from Oregon State University, a M.S. in marine science from the University of South Florida, and a B.S. in geology from Duke University.  His research focuses on the use of GIS tools to characterize societal vulnerability to natural hazards. He has written multiple articles, federal reports, and invited newspaper pieces on the vulnerability of communities to various natural hazards. 

 

Taj Schottland is a Coastal Adaptation Specialist with the National Wildlife Federation. He has worked on numerous regional and local projects aimed at assessing community and ecosystem vulnerability to climate change as well as implementing climate-smart conservation strategies to protect valued resources. Much of his time is spent with local stakeholders, promoting natural and nature-based strategies that protect human communities, wildlife, and coastal ecosystems from climate-driven threats. Prior to joining  NWF, he worked as an avian biologist and restoration ecologist for an environmental consulting company.