8:30 AM

- Suzanne Smith, MC. Executive Director, Sonoma County Regional Climate Protection Authority and Sonoma County Transportation Authority Jake Mackenzie, Past Chair, Director, and Chair of the Local Government Commission

8:45 AM

- A climate-informed "State of the County" report: what are Sonoma County's vulnerabilities, what solutions are already on the table, and what benefits would those solutions bring.

9:05 AM

- Scientific projections for Sonoma County tell us we can expect to prepare our communities for hotter days, less predictable rainfall and wilder weather. Join nationally acclaimed scientists to discuss local climate effects and how they impact our water supply, eco-system, and community during our morning’s first session.

10:45 AM

- Floods, heat waves, fires and disease - all in a day’s work for our emergency services. However, when the “new normal” includes mega droughts, higher intensity deluges and the northerly migration of tropical disease, the question is how do we adapt to the “new normal”? By planning now so that we reduce our reliance on emergency systems and cultivate systems and practices for a resilient community. During this lively discussion, you will develop an understanding of both the challenges and opportunities that impacts of climate change pose to our community.

12:00 PM

- Moderated by Jake Mackenzie, Past Chair, Director, and Chair of the Local Government Commission

1:30 PM

- Provost Andrew Rogerson tells us about sustainability at SSU.

1:35 PM

- Examining our national climate change dialogue through a political lens, NextGen Climate COO Josh Fryday discusses the organization’s efforts to make climate an electoral issue that can move voters and encourage our leaders to take action.

2:00 PM

- Deforestation and land use change contribute to approximately 17% of global GHG emissions, while GHG emissions from urban land uses are – on average - 58 times greater than those from agriculture. Although agriculture contributes emissions which vary widely due to crop type and on-farm practices, agricultural lands are – at the same time - critically important for sequestering carbon, and for climate resiliency. An integrated, collaborative strategy of agricultural and open space conservation is an effective approach for reducing and avoiding emissions, increasing resiliency to a changing climate, and achieving multiple other objectives. This session will discuss the ways in which land conservation helps achieve Sonoma County’s ambitious climate action goals, through data, policy, incentives, and actions.

3:15 PM

- Moderated by Jake Mackenzie, Past Chair, Director, and Chair of the Local Government Commission; with summary by Kate Meis, Executive Director, Local Government Commission.

4:15 PM

- Actively engaged in fostering climate resilience through economic development strategies that support regional collaboration on food systems, bio-based products, capital markets, broadband and ag technology, Dr. Glenda Humiston serves as the California State Director at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development. Join us as Dr. Humiston outlines ways USDA will expand economic opportunity through innovation, promote long-term sustainability for agricultural production, and help preserve and conserve our Nation’s natural resources through restored forests, improved watersheds, and healthy private working lands in a changing climate.

5:00 PM

- Will a glass of wine or beer help you prepare for a changing climate? We've teamed up with three local businesses that say we need all the help we can get. Jackson Family Wines, Frei Brothers, and Lagunitas Brewing Company will provide refreshments at our reception.