MRSC Presents Tools for Boosting Community Resilience to Climate Impacts

Cost: FREE
Credits: This training is eligible for:

• 1.0 hours of CM Sustainability credit from the American Planning Association (Pending Approval).

Register Today

Registration closes on Wednesday, October 29 at 1 PM. All registrants will also receive a link to view the webinar recording.

Webinar Overview:

Climate change is affecting Washington state in numerous ways—from more intense wildfires to hotter summers—posing risks to people, buildings, and infrastructure. Climate resilience is the capacity of communities to prepare for, recover from, and adapt to these impacts.

In this webinar, experts from across Washington will share practical strategies and tools for enhancing community resilience:

• Gonzaga University’s Institute for Climate, Water, & the Environment and the City of Spokane’s Emergency Management Department will discuss efforts to retrofit public spaces like community centers to shield residents from wildfire smoke and extreme heat.
• King County and City of Issaquah staff will present their work on community cooling centers, solar installations, heat pumps, and green infrastructure (e.g., rain gardens and urban forests), emphasizing inclusive engagement and partnerships with universities and nonprofits.
• The Washington State Department of Commerce’s Energy Resilience and Emergency Management Office will introduce the Washington Energy Resilience Technical Assistance Program, a free service helping over 80 communities define energy resilience goals, identify solutions, secure funding, and apply for grants.

Educational Objectives:

Local governments play a critical role in protecting communities from climate-related risks such as wildfires and extreme heat. Through proactive planning, inclusive engagement, and strategic partnerships, they can strengthen both social and physical infrastructure to enhance resilience.

In this webinar, participants will:

• Explore real-world case studies showcasing how Washington communities are building resilience through infrastructure upgrades and community-centered approaches.
• Discover practical resources and tools available to local governments, with a focus on collaboration with universities, nonprofits, and residents.
• Gain insights into effective strategies such as establishing cooling centers, promoting heat pump adoption, and integrating green infrastructure like rain gardens and urban forests into public spaces.

Who Should Attend?

Elected officials and staff working on climate action, city and county planning, public works, parks, public health, emergency preparedness and response, and hazard mitigation, as well as anyone else interested in climate resiliency.

Presenters:

• Dante Jester, Climate Resilience Program Manager, Institute for Climate, Water, & the Environment at Gonzaga University. Dante (they/them/ella) grew up in an apple orchard in Orondo, WA. They have a BA in Peace Studies and an MSc in Climate Change and Development. Their commitment to environmental and climate justice was born from their experiences growing up close neighbors with migrant farmworkers, serving in Peace Corps Paraguay, researching the impact of climate change on small-scale agroforestry systems, and witnessing the impacts of climate events on unhoused LGBTQ+ community members in Spokane. At the Climate Institute, Dante leads community-engaged research and resource empowerment to build Inland Northwest resilience to extreme heat and wildfire smoke. They are Chair of the Spokane Community Resilience Collaborative, President of the Board for Spokane Edible Tree Project, and Adjunct Professor at Whitworth University.
• Sarah Nuss, Emergency Management Director, City of Spokane. Sarah (she/her) is a public health and safety professional with a deep commitment to community preparedness, public engagement, and cross-sector collaboration. She holds master’s degrees in Public Health and Homeland Security from Tulane University. Sarah’s professional background spans public health, recidivism reduction, implementation of health programs for incarcerated populations, interagency information sharing, maritime security, and emergency management. Her work consistently bridges disciplines and sectors to promote safer, more resilient communities. Currently, Sarah serves as the Director of Emergency Management for the City of Spokane, where she integrates public health, climate adaptation, and emergency preparedness to foster whole-community resilience.
• Daaniya Iyaz, Climate Preparedness Project Manager, Executive Climate Office at King County. Daaniya (she/her) is the Climate Preparedness Project Manager in King County’s Executive Climate Office, and this is her fourth role with the County. Her role focuses on implementation of the King County Extreme Heat Mitigation Strategy, and she will be supporting implementation of other climate preparedness actions in the Strategic Climate Action Plan. Her educational background, completed at the University of Washington, focused on the health impacts of extreme climate events. Daaniya has lived in King County for almost her entire life, and she is passionate about fostering climate adaptation strategies and resilience in local communities.
• Stacy Vynne McKinstry, Sustainability Manager, City of Issaquah. Stacy (she/her) is the Sustainability Manager with the City of Issaquah. In this role, Stacy oversees implementation of the City’s climate action plan including work on mitigation and resilience.  She holds a master’s degree in Enviornmental Studies and International Studies from the University of Oregon and has worked in fields such as international biodiversity monitoring, human-wildlife conflicts, climate preparedness, and ten years on salmon recovery with the state of Washington. Stacy is an avid trail runner, skier (all kinds!), and cat herder (for a local Campfire group) and also serves on the Board of Friends of the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery.
• Kate Pedersen, Energy Resilience Specialist, Washington State Department of Commerce. Kate is currently serving as the Energy Resilience Specialist for the Energy Resilience and Emergency Management Office (EREMO) within the Energy Division at the Washington State Department of Commerce. Kate runs the Washington Energy Resilience Technical Assistance Program where she assists Washington communities achieve their energy resilience goals by filling capacity gaps, exploring energy resilience solutions, finding funding, and applying for grants. Kate brings to her work experience in emergency management, a passion for good data practices, and a dedication to equity. Kate holds a BA in Environmental Design – Architecture from the University of Colorado and masters’ degrees from the University of Washington in urban planning and public health.
• Jill Dvorkin, Legal Consultant, MRSC (moderator). Before coming to MRSC, Jill worked for nine years as a civil deputy prosecuting attorney for Skagit County where she advised the planning department on a wide variety of issues including permit processing and appeals, Growth Management Act (GMA) compliance, code enforcement, SEPA, public records, the legislative process, and public records.