Faces of Adaptation: Eliza Ghitis

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Eliza Ghitis has served as the climate change scientist for the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission (NWIFC) since 2013 and has participated in the NW CASC Stakeholder Advisory Committee since that time. In her role, Eliza supports the twenty member tribes of the Fisheries Commission in evaluating and responding to the consequences of climate change for treaty-protected natural resources such as fish, shellfish, wildlife and terrestrial plants. Eliza has a background in geomorphology, specializing in the interactions between physical and biological processes. Her previous work in the non-profit and environmental consulting worlds centered on geomorphic assessment and the design of process-based environmental restoration projects in freshwater, estuarine and coastal settings. 

 

What led you to work in the field of climate adaptation?

I was working on environmental restoration projects and was struck repeatedly by questions of how these efforts would function as conditions changed, and more generally, what I was doing about climate change. While the restoration of ecological function and structure increases the resilience of natural systems, directly addressing climate change is critical to long-term environmental sustainability.

What does your day-to-day work look like?

My work is dynamic, and every day is different. I provide technical support to the member tribes of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission. I also coordinate the Commission’s Tribal Climate Change Forum, a working group of tribal staff representing the member tribes, the Point No Point Treaty Council and the Skagit River System Cooperative. Our purpose is to share information, identify opportunities for intertribal collaboration and pursue strategies for improving tribal technical capacity. I help develop partnerships between the tribes and scientists at regional research groups and agencies. I also provide climate policy support when the need arises.

How does your organization support climate resilience in the Northwest?

All the arenas in which the Fisheries Commission works are affected by climate change, either directly or indirectly. The work we do supports the resilience of the species important to tribes and the ecosystems that they rely upon. The Commission is a natural resources management support service organization that was created following the 1974 U.S. v. Washington ruling (known as the Boldt Decision) that reaffirmed the tribes’ treaty-reserved fishing rights. The ruling recognized tribes as natural resources co-managers with the State of Washington with an equal share of the harvestable number of salmon returning annually. The Fisheries Commission member tribes are Lummi, Nooksack, Swinomish, Upper Skagit, Sauk-Suiattle, Stillaguamish, Tulalip, Muckleshoot, Puyallup, Nisqually, Squaxin Island, Skokomish, Suquamish, Port Gamble S’Klallam, Jamestown S’Klallam, Lower Elwha Klallam, Makah, Quileute, Quinault and Hoh. 

What is your favorite thing about your work?

I have learned so much from the outstanding tribal scientists, staff, leaders and community members. There is still a great deal more for me to learn from the tribes’ deep knowledge of their lands and waters and from tribal values of stewardship, inter-relationship and respect for all beings. Working with tribal communities has been a humbling, illuminating and inspiring experience.

Meet NW CASC’s 2020-21 Research Fellows!

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The NW CASC is excited to welcome our 2020-2021 Research Fellows as they kick off their Fellowship activities this fall. These 13 Fellows represent each of our consortium universities across Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. Throughout the Fellowship year, each Fellow will conduct research in close collaboration with regional natural resource managers and decision-makers to produce relevant science on climate change impacts and adaptation actions, while receiving training in the principles of actionable science. Through their innovative research, which includes investigating how receding glaciers are affecting fish habitat, exploring how local knowledge of rangelands can inform flexible management, and identifying forest management actions that enhance habitat and biodiversity while buffering climate impacts, these Fellows will help advance the mission of the NW CASC in delivering science to help fish, wildlife, water, land and people adapt to a changing climate. 

Meet the Fellows & Learn About their Research

NW CASC Paper Calls for Transforming Science Training to Build Capacity for Actionable Climate Adaptation Science

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How can we mobilize science to support the transformational global action required by climate change? By creating a new type of scientist. A new open-access paper in the journal Environmental Research Letters emphasizes the need for science training that builds collaborative science skills at different career stages to develop a strong community of practice around actionable climate science. The paper, Building capacity for societally engaged climate science by transforming science training (Rozance et al. 2020), draws from the experiences at the University of Washington Climate Impacts Group, Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center and the University of Arizona Climate Assessment for the Southwest, to offer a perspective on a path for the academy to better develop, train and support scientists to conduct societally-relevant research.

Read the Paper

Hamid Dashti conducting field work
Former NW CASC Fellow Hamid Dashti conducting field work during his NW CASC Fellowship. The NW CASC’s Research Fellowship Program provides support for climate adaptation research as well as instruction in the principles and practices of developing decision-relevant, or actionable science.
Source: Hamid Dashti

Interested in a Career in Climate Adaptation? CASC Network Preparing Climate Positions for the Next Year

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The Climate Adaptation Science Center network is preparing for several positions to come available in the next year, focused on the impacts of climate variability and change on ecosystems, natural resources, cultural resources, infrastructure, tribal lands and waters, urban and rural settlements and economic development. The network is seeking contact information for scholars with experience and interest in these subjects, as well as in developing actionable science with stakeholders with demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Learn more about these positions and how to be contacted about official job postings.

Snorkel team sets up for surveying in the North Fork Stillaguamish River
Former NW CASC Fellow Ashley Bagley and colleagues set up for surveying salmonids in the North Fork Stillaguamish River
Source: Cleo Woelfle-Erskine

NW CASC Funding Opportunity for Tribal Climate Adaptation Research Projects

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The Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center (NW CASC) is seeking statements of interest for tribal climate adaptation research projects focusing on management of: aquatic resources, at-risk species and habitats, invasive species and diseases, forest ecosystems and human dimensions of climate adaptation. Statements of interest should have geographic footprints within Idaho, Oregon, Washington or Northern California. Federally recognized tribes and tribal organizations may submit statements of interest for this funding opportunity, and other entities (federal, state, etc.) can partner with federally recognized tribes and/or tribal organizations and receive funds through subawards. Deadline for Statements of Interest is December 17, 2020.

Learn more about this opportunity

Save The Date! Northwest Climate Conference to be Held April 6-8, 2021

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The 11th Northwest Climate Conference (NWCC), hosted by the University of Washington Climate Impacts Group, will be held Tuesday, April 6—Thursday, April 8, 2021. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the conference will be held entirely online.

The NW Climate Conference annually brings together more than 500 researchers and practitioners from around the region to discuss scientific results, challenges and solutions related to the impacts of climate on people, natural resources and infrastructure in the Northwest. The conference also provides a forum for presenting emerging policy and management goals, as well as information needs related to regional climate impacts and adaptation. Conference participants include policy- and decision-makers, resource managers, and scientists from academia, public agencies, sovereign tribal nations, non-governmental organizations and the private sector.

Don’t miss out on the region’s best opportunity for a cross-disciplinary exchange of knowledge and ideas relating to climate impacts and adaptation in the Northwest! We hope to see you in April 2021.

Keep an eye on the NWCC website for the latest updates.

NW CASC University Director to Present at Upcoming Climate Summit

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Join NW CASC University Director Dr. Amy Snover and other leaders advancing climate resilience at the October 7th Climate Summit, hosted by Washington state Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler. Dr. Snover will discuss Pacific Northwest climate change science: Impacts, risks & vulnerabilities. The virtual 2020 Climate Summit will bring together a national audience of climate, government and insurance professionals to understand and explore how climate change affects our communities, regulatory efforts and businesses. This half-day event is free and open to the public.

Learn More & Register 

Climate change poses risks to insurers and consumers alike. Insurance companies must be prepared to pay increased property, life and health claims resulting from a changing climate. Learn more about how Commissioner Kreidler is working with insurance companies in Washington state, nationally and internationally to ensure they are prepared for climate-related challenges.

NW CASC Research on Climate-Resilient Design for Fish Passages is Part of Effort Winning 2020 Climate Adaptation Leadership Award

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The Family Forest Fish Passage Program helps private forestland owners replace fish-barrier culverts and other structures that keep trout, salmon and other fish from reaching upstream habitat
Washington State needs to replace fish-barrier culverts keeping salmon, trout and other fish from reaching upstream habitat with fish-friendly culverts like this one. Since climate change is projected to increase peak streamflows and widen stream channels, incorporating climate change considerations into culvert removal and redesign will be key to ensuring the long-term resilience of this new infrastructure.
Source: WA Department of Natural resources, WA Department of Fish & Wildlife

NW CASC-funded research on climate-resilient design for culvert and fish habitat restoration projects in Washington is part of a larger effort by the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife that recently won a 2020 Climate Adaptation Leadership Award. This award from the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies recognizes outstanding leadership to advance climate resilience of America’s natural resources and the many people, businesses and communities that depend on them.

The climate-resilient culverts project was initiated by Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife to help inform Washington State’s current investments in repairing fish passage barriers that hinder the recovery of imperiled salmon stocks. It has grown into a partnership with the University of Washington Climate Impacts Group through research funding through the NW CASC. The goal of this effort is to make projections of future climate-induced changes in stream flows and channel widths available to engineers designing culverts. This goal has been achieved through an online tool that enables engineers to obtain site-specific information for designing climate-adapted culverts.

How Might Climate Change Affect Huckleberry in the Pacific Northwest?

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Written by guest author Gina Fiorile, Science Communications Specialist, U.S. Geological Survey National Climate Adaptation Science Center

Huckleberry bush
Huckleberry bush
Source: U.S. Forest Service

Huckleberry is both a culturally and ecologically significant plant species that is experiencing an altered growing season due to climate change. In the Pacific Northwest, huckleberry is an important food-producing species that is vulnerable to both reductions in habitat and shifts in phenology, or seasonal biological cycles such as the timing of flowering and fruiting. As rising temperatures and instances of drought increase in the region due to climate change, competitive interactions between huckleberry and other plant species could surge as a result. This competition can lead to reductions or expansions of suitable huckleberry habitat. Increased conflict between people and animals in harvest areas can also occur as the distribution of food plants shifts.

Huckleberry is a traditional food that is central to many Indigenous cultures’ sense of place. It also plays a vital role in the social history and the diet of traditional Native groups, as the collection, storage, and consumption of this species make up significant Indigenous traditions. Huckleberry is also the basis for non-tribal recreational harvesting and small-scale commercial operations in the region. For both tribal and non-tribal harvesting, the shifting or unpredictable growing periods make it difficult for those who have jobs with regular schedules to be able to schedule time off for harvesting.

As huckleberry growth shifts due to climate change, wildlife species such as grizzly bear, black bear, moose, elk, deer, birds, and other small mammals are also impacted. Huckleberry plays an important role in the biodiversity and productivity of forest ecosystems as berries, leaves, and stems are consumed by wildlife and the dense shrubby thickets are used as nesting habitat. Pollinators such as bumble bees and other native bee species also rely on huckleberry flowers as a significant food source.

Despite its importance, little is known about climate change impacts on the current and future range and phenology of huckleberry. This NW CASC-funded study aims to inform key questions about how huckleberry growth and distribution might change into the future. Predictive models were designed to show where the plant may be able to grow in the future based on projected future changes in temperature and precipitation as well as potential changes in the timing of flowering and fruit production.

Results show that in the Pacific Northwest, habitat suitability for huckleberry could decrease by 5-40% at lower altitudes and latitudes. Meanwhile, at higher elevations and latitudes, habitat suitability could increase by 5-60% by the middle of the century and continuing through 2100. Phenology is also projected to change over time. Flowering dates of huckleberry could advance by 11–31 days by the end of the century. Fruiting could advance by 13–37 days by the end-of-century under a low emissions scenario or by 24–52 days under a high emissions scenario. Greater advances in both fruiting and flowering projections were predicted to occur at higher latitudes and altitudes.

These projections of potential future changes in huckleberry habitat suitability and phenology can be used for planning management and restoration efforts of huckleberry in the Pacific Northwest. Future research activities could further support monitoring, management, and restoration efforts by focusing on the speed and direction of species migration and exploring the impacts of changes in huckleberry on pollinators, animals, and people which depend upon the species.

This study was funded by the Northwest CASC project Climate Impacts on the Locations and Availability of Traditional Food Sources from Native Northwestern Shrubs.

Read the Paper

Faces of Adaptation: Coral Avery

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Coral Avery is an enrolled member of the Shawnee Tribe and grew up in San Diego County, California. She is a Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Pathways Program Intern working closely with NW CASC Tribal Liaison Chas Jones for both the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI) and NW CASC in youth climate programming. Coral’s professional mission is to bring attention to the bridge of social and environmental sustainability.

In Coral’s previous role as a BIA Pathways Program Intern at the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, she specialized in Tribal forestry, food sovereignty, and natural resource management. She also taught as an Education Specialist at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park where she bridged topics of ecosystem functions, wildlife conservation and K-12 art and science.

Coral will earn her BS degree from Oregon State University in the fall of 2020 in Human Dimensions of Natural Resources and Sustainability with a minor in German. She is looking forward to expanding her regional connections and bridging her experiences back home and in the Pacific Northwest.

What led you to work in the field of climate adaptation?

Growing up in southern California, the impacts of climate change became increasingly clear as drought conditions and high temperatures set records year after year. At the same time, urbanization paved over some of the nature spaces I enjoyed, further threatening our endangered chaparral habitat and wildlife while also threatening people, as gentrification began forcing people out of their homes and asthma, cancer, and other health issues worsened. In college, I began to understand the intersections of urbanization, climate change and social justice that I had observed in my hometown and decided to pursue a double degree in human dimensions of natural resources and sustainability.

What does your day-to-day work look like?

My day-to-day varies greatly by project, but I work from home with my cat Misha. At ATNI, I focus most on youth engagement, event planning, digital media design, video production, collaborative marketing and outreach and analyzing Tribal climate vulnerability assessments. I engage in a lot of conference calls, and between them, I typically work on either digital flyers, data entry or video creation.

How does your organization support climate resilience in the Northwest?

ATNI supports climate resilience by connecting Tribes to grant opportunities, offering free workshops on various topics and hosting regional and national meetings and events. Some of these opportunities include the National Tribal Leadership Climate Change Summit, the Tribal Climate Camp, and my main project this summer, the Indigenous Youth Video Contest.

What is your favorite thing about your work?

Because I’m still fairly new to my role, in which everything has been happening virtually, the best part of my job has been getting to know the people I work with and learning about the various collaborative groups that work with ATNI such as NW CASC, the National Congress of American Indians, and the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals. At each workshop, conference call and virtual event I attend, I learn something new about these organizations, the opportunities they provide and the lessons learned of collaborative efforts.