On April 28th, NCAP facilitated a climate change education workshop for Mount Baker – Snoqualmie National Forest (MBSNF). The workshop took place at Everett Community College in Everett, WA, and was attended by approximately 80 participants, including representatives from the Forest Service, Seattle City Light, the EPA, tribal partners, and others. The day began with an introduction from MBSNF Forest Supervisor, Rob Iwamoto, on his vision for climate change action, followed by a presentation from Tom DeMeo (USFS PNW Region) on the regional climate change strategy for the Pacific Northwest. Basics of climate change science and expected effects on natural resources in the PNW were presented by several members of the University of Washington, Climate Impacts Group and Forest Service resource managers. Cindy Tencick of MBSNF concluded the day with an update on the current MBSNF response to climate change. This workshop marked the completion of the climate change education phase of the NCAP.
Climate Change Education
NCAP was highlighted in the March/April 2011 issue of the Climate Change Response Program News, a publication of the National Park Service Climate Change Response Program.
On March 2, NCAP facilitated the third climate change education workshop for Mount
Rainier National Park. The workshop was attended by 85 people from all divisions of park
staff. Similar to the previous two workshops, presentations and interactive panel discussions
covered climate change science basics and effects on natural resources. Scientists from the
University of Washington, Climate Impacts Group (Nate Mantua and Alan Hamlet) presented
the scientific basis for climate change projections and potential effects on aquatic resources and
hydrology. Josh Lawler from the University of Washington, School of Forests Resources gave
an overview of potential effects of climate change on wildlife and a framework for assessing
species sensitivity to climate change. This workshop also covered resource topics with particular
importance to management at Mount Rainier. Presenters discussed management challenges
associated with climate change effects on geo-hazards, amphibians, archeological resources, and
cultural landscapes.
On February 23rd, NCAP facilitated a climate change adaptation workshop for the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest,
the second in a series of four workshops designed to increase awareness of climate change among the parks and forests
participating in NCAP. Speakers presented information on the basics of climate science, future climate scenarios, and
expected climate change effects on aquatic resources, roads and infrastructure, wildlife habitat connectivity, vegetation,
and ecological disturbance. The OWNF Deputy Forest Supervisor, Clint Kyhl, presented an overview of the Okanogan-Wenatchee
Forest Restoration Strategy and a review of ecosystem and disturbance changes 
that have taken place on the forest over the
past several decades. Several panel discussions throughout the day provided opportunities for audience interaction with
resource managers and scientists within and outside the forest. Participants included 112 attendees mostly from the OWNF
but also representatives from the following organizations: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, The Wilderness Society,
Department of Ecology, The Grizzly Bear Outreach Project, Bureau of Land Management, Yakama Nation, Washington Department
of Fish and Wildlife, Pacific Northwest Research Station, University of Washington, North Cascades National Park, and
the Chumstick Coalition.
On February 17, NCAP held a climate change education workshop for the North Cascades National Park Complex.
The purpose of the workshop was to provide an opportunity to explore and discuss the issue of climate change
at North Cascades NP so park employees are better able to apply current science to park management.
Over 60 people attended the workshop. Attendees included primarily park staff, but also representatives
from the Mt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Seattle City Light, and the North Cascades Institute.
Presenters included scientists from the Climate Impacts Group at the University of Washington,
resource specialists from North Cascades NP, and research scientists from the USFS Pacific Northwest Research Station.
