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.

2. USDA Forest Service Panel:
Leading as a Climate-Smart STEM Professional

3. Today’s Speakers
Grizelle González
grizelle.gonzalez@usda.gov
Director- International Institute of
Tropical Forestry, USDA Forest
Service
Consuelo Brandeis
consuelo.brandeis@usda.gov
Research Forester- Southern
Research Station, Forest
Inventory and Analysis unit,
USDA Forest Service
Conception Flores
conception.flores@usda.gov
Natural Resource Specialist- WO,
Sustainability and Climate, USDA
Forest Service
Shaneka Lawson
shaneka.s.lawson@usda.gov
Research Plant Physiologist- Northern
Research Station, USDA Forest Service
Cassandra Johnson Gaither
cassandra.johnson@usda.gov
Research Social Scientist- Southern
Research Station, USDA Forest
Service
Seminar Moderator Seminar Panelist
Seminar Panelist
Seminar Panelist
Rising Tech Star Award Recipient

4. 4
EPA, Climate Change and Social Vulnerability
In the United States, September 2021
Cassandra Johnson

5. 5
A growing body of literature focuses on the
disproportionate and unequal risks that climate
change is projected to have on communities that are
least able to anticipate, cope with, and recover from
adverse impacts.
EPA 2021 Environmental Protection Agency, 2021
Gullah Geechee in coastal Georgia and South Carolina face climate
change threats. The sinking islands of the Southern US. BBC Travel,
19 June 2020
Cassandra Johnson

6. 6
Path to Working in Climate Adaptation
Student Conservation Association Crew Adirondack, NY
Fire Study, Blackwater Natl Wildlife Refuge, MD
Indigenous Traditional
Ecological Knowledge
Conference logo, Missoula,
MT
Marine Corps Base Camp
Pendleton, CA
Conception Flores

7. 7
Focus on Fire and Tribal Engagement
Thomas Fire, Los Padres NF, 2017
Hopi Youth dancers, Coconino NF, 2017
Conception Flores

8. 8
Conception Flores

9. 9
Shaneka Lawson

10. 10
Shaneka Lawson

11. 11
Shaneka Lawson

12. 12
Timber Products & Climate Change
Mitigation
Consuelo Brandeis

13. Timber Products & Climate Change
Mitigation

14. https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/sc/carbon

15. 15
Grizelle González
Develop and disseminate
scientifically based knowledge
that contributes to the
conservation of forests, wildlife,
and watersheds of the American
Tropics in the context of
environmental change.
International Institute of
Tropical Forestry, Mission
Luquillo Mountains in 1947
Luquillo Mountains in 2013

16. 16
Grizelle González
Climate Change Studies of Tropical Forests and Cities

17. 17
Future directions: habitats at risk
Grizelle González

18. 18
As professionals in STEM fields, how are you
providing scientific knowledge that is applicable
for making climate-smart management
decisions?

19. 19

20. 20
As professionals in STEM fields, how are you
providing scientific knowledge that is applicable
for making climate-smart management
decisions?

21. 21
What do you think are
unique opportunities and
challenges in the
management of
ecosystems currently
threatened by climate
change?

22. 22
What do you hope will be the
role for women of color in
STEM for the advancement of
environmental justice and
production of science for the
better management of climate-
smart forests, communities,
and economies?

23. 23
What personal and
professional goals do
you think have been
critical steps for you to
become a Climate-smart
STEM professional in
the Agency?

24. Today’s Speakers
Grizelle González
grizelle.gonzalez@usda.gov
Director- International Institute of
Tropical Forestry, USDA Forest
Service
Consuelo Brandeis
consuelo.brandeis@usda.gov
Research Forester- Southern
Research Station, Forest
Inventory and Analysis unit,
USDA Forest Service
Conception Flores
conception.flores@usda.gov
Natural Resource Specialist- WO,
Sustainability and Climate, USDA
Forest Service
Shaneka Lawson
shaneka.s.lawson@usda.gov
Research Plant Physiologist- Northern
Research Station, USDA Forest Service
Cassandra Johnson Gaither
cassandra.johnson@usda.gov
Research Social Scientist- Southern
Research Station, USDA Forest
Service
Seminar Moderator Seminar Panelist
Seminar Panelist
Seminar Panelist
Rising Tech Star Award Recipient

25. Today’s Speakers
Thank you!