ADAPT: Using Parks & Green Space In The Fight Against Climate Change

Join us for a virtual panel discussion on the varied roles that parks and green space can play in the fight against climate change (storing carbon, reducing urban temperatures, mitigating flooding) and what you can do to help.

Lead ADAPT reporter Brendan Rivers will moderate this conversation with local and national experts who are using public spaces to both protect communities from the impacts of climate change and to help capture and store the carbon emissions that are driving it.

Moderator:

• Brendan Rivers
  Lead Reporter, ADAPT

Panelists:

• Dr. Rebecca Beavers
  Coastal Geology and Adaptation Coordinator, National Park Service’s Climate Change Response Program

  Rebecca Beavers coordinates coastal adaptation efforts underway at the park level and with Department of Interior initiatives, including the DOI All Hazards Resource Advisor Training program to prepare natural and cultural resource specialists for incident response. Since 2000, Beavers has served as coastal geology and coastal adaptation coordinator for the National Park Service, where she is the point of contact for sea level change, coastal adaptation to climate change, and coastal geomorphology related issues. Dr. Beavers earned a doctorate in geology/oceanography from Duke University and a bachelor’s degree in geology/biology from Williams College.

• Gloria McNair
  Community Engagement Coordinator, Groundwork Jacksonville

  Gloria McNair’s work with Groundwork Jacksonville, has her engage the citizens — especially residents from historically underserved urban neighborhoods — in visioning, advocating for and shaping Groundwork projects including McCoys Creek restoration and building the Emerald Trail. Gloria’s professional career has been diverse, yet at the core of her work has been a dedication to service. She joined the U.S. Navy and served 22 years, first as a Hospital Corpsman and then as an Environmental Health Officer. After retiring in Jacksonville, she used her skills as an educator and preventive health advocate with the Florida Department of Health in Duval to support initiatives such as the Green Team’s community garden. Gloria has an MA in Human Resource Development from Webster University, a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Excelsior and an Associates of Science degree in Environmental Health from Merritt College.

• Nancy Powell
  Executive Director, Scenic Jacksonville

  Nancy Powell began her tenure as the first executive director for Scenic Jacksonville in February 2020, and is a leader in the Riverfront Parks Now coalition. She is engaged with a number of local civic organizations, including Riverside Avondale Preservation, Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, and is an advocate for downtown. Her professional career included roles as a consultant and VP Operations for Stop At Nothing, Inc, and earlier as a marketing executive at American Express, AT&T Universal Card, and MediaOne (now Comcast). She holds an MBA from the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business, and an undergraduate degree from Brown University.

Sign up for all things sea level rise at adaptflorida.org.

ADAPT is a production of WJCT Public Media. Financial support for ADAPT comes from our readers and listeners, with additional support from the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations and the 2040 Foundation.

When

Tuesday, April 20, 2021
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm