Nature-based solutions in the fight against Climate Change

Secretary Wade Crowfoot (California Natural Resources Agency) will discuss California’s groundbreaking work on nature conservation. He will explore the State’s critical partnerships with American Indian Tribes, the creative ways that California is achieving climate and biodiversity goals and how California’s leadership is being recognized by the UN Climate and Biodiversity Conferences. 

Following his comments, the Secretary will moderate a panel discussion with local conservation and environmental justice leaders regarding nature connection and biodiversity work in San Francisco. Tyrone Jue, Director of the SF Environment Department, will make closing remarks.

Wade Crowfoot serves as California’s Natural Resources Secretary, leading efforts to conserve California’s environment and natural resources. He has served as Secretary since 2019 and advises Governor Newsom as a member of his cabinet. Secretary Crowfoot oversees an agency of over 25,000 employees spread across 26 departments, commissions, and conservancies. His agency is charged with stewarding California’s forests and natural lands, rivers and water supplies, and coast and ocean. It also protects natural places, wildlife and biodiversity, and helps oversee the state’s world-leading clean energy transition.

Panelists

Scott Sampson serves as executive director of the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, California. He is a dinosaur paleontologist, author, and science communicator. 

He regularly gives presentations to audiences of all ages, on topics ranging from evolution and science to education and nature connection. Sampson is known to children and parents around the world as “Dr. Scott the Paleontologist,” host and science advisor of the Emmy-nominated PBS KIDS television series Dinosaur Train, produced by the Jim Henson Company.

 

Sara Moncada (Yaqui) is Director of Native Ecology with the Association of Ramaytush Ohlone and a professor of Native American Studies at City College San Francisco. A co-founder of Wise Women Circles and former CEO of The Cultural Conservancy, she presents internationally on traditional ecology and Native arts. 

Sara serves on the California Arts Council Advisory Council and the Marin Museum of the American Indian board. She is co-author of The Dance of Caring and producer of the documentary NURSES and The Native Seed Pod podcast.

 

Since October 2021, Dr. Hollis Pierce-Jenkins has served as Executive Director for Literacy for Environmental Justice (LEJ), spearheading initiatives in environmental education and climate-resilient habitat restoration in Bayview Hunters Point. An accomplished executive with over 17 years of leadership experience, she holds an Ed.D. from the University of San Francisco. Dr. Pierce-Jenkins utilizes a servant-leadership approach to foster economic workforce development for local youth, managing a dynamic team that oversees native plant nursery operations and "Eco Adventures" programming to cultivate the next generation of global citizens.

 

Jean S. Fraser has dedicated her career to fostering healthy, equitable, and sustainable communities. Under her leadership, the Presidio Trust has restored dozens of acres of park land, opened the award-winning Presidio Tunnel Tops, and hosted millions of visits each year from people of all backgrounds, ages, and abilities. 

Jean serves on the board of The Climate Center and the San Francisco City Advisory Board of SPUR. She is a graduate of Yale University, Yale Law School, and the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS).