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Cultivating Transformation

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Impact Report 2020 - 2021

Letter from the Director

2020 was a challenging year that impacted people in many different ways. Despite these significant obstacles, the Climate Science Alliance has strengthened our commitment to all of you and our planet.

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Over the past 5 years we have worked collaboratively alongside our community of partners to build the Alliance, grow the network, and establish the foundation to launch projects that are truly transformational. We are excited to build upon this solid foundation and for the continued growth and transformation ahead.

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Sincerely,

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Amber Pairis, Ph.D.
Director and Founder, 
Climate Science Alliance

 TRANSFORMATIONAL ADAPTATION 

Building off 5 successful years, the Climate Science Alliance looks forward to the work ahead with an eye towards Transformational Adaptation, a multi-year vision that encompasses all areas of our work:

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Building Resilience.        Building Capacity.        Building Community.

Together, we will continue to transform the way climate adaptation planning and projects are approached, including transforming our own tools and techniques to support your leadership and activities. In support of the voices within the Climate Science Alliance network, we will work to transform the understanding of how climate adaptation work needs to be done - in an equitable and just way that equally values all ways of knowing.

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We are appreciative of your continued partnership and commitment.

The Climate Science Alliance Team acknowledges the Indigenous peoples on whose traditional territory we work. We honor the continued presence and resilience of Indigenous communities and nations today, and thank those we work with for your friendship and your good will in our efforts to collaborate.

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We encourage you to learn more about the traditional territories where you live, work, and travel as a first step towards meaningful acknowledgement. Get started at native-lands.ca

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Supporting regionally-specific, cross-disciplinary research to better inform climate solutions.

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Meeting people where they are with accessible information on climate science, planning, and management.

BUILDING RESILIENCE
BUILDING COMMUNITY
BUILDING CAPACITY
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Bridging the gap between climate research and the community through multiple innovative avenues of science translation.

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Reflecting on Our Successes

Since our beginnings in 2015, the Climate Science Alliance has . . .

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Collaborated on more than a            science-focused projects
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Partnered with
over           
organizations
400
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Engaged with over
              
community members
200,000

"This work is an excellent example of climate smart conservation planning and highlights the value of having downscaled modeling and localized assessment."

Our Successes
5 Stories

CONNECTING WILDLANDS AND COMMUNITIES 

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The Connecting Wildlands and Communities (CWC) project brings together an interdisciplinary team of planners, environmental engineers, ecologists, and geographers to explore how connected landscapes can support adaptation and resilience to climate change for both ecosystems and local communities in Southern California.

Learn more about the CWC project

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 WHERE WE'RE HEADED: 

The Connecting Wildlands and Communities project will serve as a model for Transformational Adaptation at the upcoming 2021 Southwest Adaptation Forum, hosted by the Climate Science Alliance, and project data and tools will be leveraged to support the progression of the Southern California Montane Forests project and other regional climate planning initiatives.

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2021 SOUTHWEST
ADAPTATION
FORUM

TRIBAL RESILIENCE PROJECTS 

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Through the use of education, environmental programs, and traditional ecological knowledge, and a focus on community priorities, local ecosystems, and holistic management, the Climate Science Alliance and Tribal Working Group collaborates with partners to safeguard the lands and cultures of southern California’s Tribes from the threat of climate change.

 WHERE WE'RE HEADED: 

As the need for climate science education and tools to prepare for the impacts of climate change expands, so does our response. The Climate Science Alliance looks forward to addressing those needs through the expansion of our Climate Kids Traveling Trunks Program and at the 2022 Southwestern Tribal Climate Change Summit.

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2022 SOUTHWESTERN TRIBAL CLIMATE CHANGE SUMMIT
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TRAVELING TRUNKS FOR TRIBAL SOUTHERN HUB

RESILIENT ROOTS 

RESILIENT RESTORATION 

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Agriculture plays a prominent role in Southern California, holding significant economic, cultural, ecological, and historic value. The Climate Science Alliance team worked collaboratively with the California Department of Food and Agriculture and other regional partners to elevate the role of local agriculture as part of our region's climate solution- testing strategies and educating youth and the public on our local food system.

 WHERE WE'RE HEADED: 

We are excited to announce a new project led by the Climate Science Alliance Tribal Working Group in partnership with researchers at the University of California, Riverside and San Diego State University. Resilient Restoration: Advancing Ecological, Cultural, and Community Resilience with Tribal Nations in Southern California has been funded by the California Strategic Growth Council Climate Research Program and will promote Tribal resilience by developing knowledge and supporting actions that enhance persistence of cultural practices with a focus on preserving the ecosystems and species that are integral to Tribal communities.

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RESILIENT RESTORATION PROJECT

CROSS-BORDER PARTNERSHIPS 

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Through binational, interdisciplinary collaboration, the Climate Science Alliance and the Baja Working Group advance climate science and adaptation solutions by connecting and working alongside researchers, stakeholders, and communities throughout the Baja California Peninsula and surrounding regions.

 WHERE WE'RE HEADED: 

As we work to complete the State of the Science - Baja California and better understand the downscaled climate knowledge for the Baja California Peninsula we are actively working to identify needs, future areas of collaboration, and projects for the Baja Working Group. In addition, we are excited to continue our ongoing partnership with Climate Kids - Mexico and the work we are doing in supporting youth leaders now and in the future. 

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BAJA WORKING GROUP COLLABORATIONS
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CLIMATE KIDS - MEXICO EVOLUTION

PROYECTO DUNAS 

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The Descendants United for Nature, Adaptation, and Sustainability (DUNAS) project was convened to restore coastal dunes in northern Puerto Rico that were severely degraded by Hurricane Maria. Although sand dunes are vulnerable to damage, they are critical for protecting ecological environments, cultural artifacts, and human communities. By weaving together cultural, ecological, and community