WOC 2022: (1777) USDA Forest Service, Leading as a Climate-Smart STEM Professional

Learning Objectives: Enhance your understanding of the best available science and the role of STEM professionals in the management of climate-smart forests, communities, and economies with outstanding leaders and scientists from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service.   Drought, hurricanes, flooding, extreme weather, and catastrophic wildfires driven by the growing climate crisis threaten the health and resilience of our communities, lands, waters, and wildlife. Now more than ever, science-based management of natural resources is increasingly important for mitigating and adapting to the effects of climate change. Thinking about your personal and professional goals are critical steps in planning your STEM career in these rapidly changing times. Join USDA Forest Service panel members as they describe their impact as leaders helping our nation make climate-smart management decisions. Their research provides a holistic understanding of carbon and ecological dynamics across our nation’s diverse landscapes to help guide sound, science-informed, decision-making in response to climate change and extreme climate events. At the end of this seminar, participants will be able to: Deepen understanding about best practices and STEM professional career opportunities in the management of unique ecosystems currently threatened by climate change. Use what has been shared by panel members as guidance to help build a personal road map as a Climate-smart STEM professional. Connect with USDA Forest Service science and scientists providing leading scientific knowledge of carbon and climate change for climate-smart management decisions on the Nation’s forests and grasslands.   Speakers: Grizelle Gonzalez Director- International Institute of Tropical Forestry USDA Forest Service Shaneka Lawson Research Plant Physiologist / SEPM African-American Programs USDA Forest Service Conception Flores Natural Resource Specialist USDA Forest Service Office of Sustainability and Climate Consuelo Brandeis Research Forester USDA Forest Service Cassandra Johnson Gaither Research Social Scientist USDA Forest Service