| Topic(s): | Climate Change , Floodplain Management , Land Conservation , Living Shorelines , Restoration Science , Science Communication , Stakeholder Engagement , Stormwater Management , Wetland Protection |
| Priority Issue(s): | Community Resilience , Ecosystem Integration , Habitat Conservation , Nutrient Impacts , Water Quality |
| Host Partner(s): | |
| Location: | USDA International Institute of Tropical Forestry (IITF) Jardín Botanico Sur,1201 Calle Ceiba, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00926 |
| Date/Time: |  7/13/2016 |
| Price: | $0.00 |
| Max Applicants: | 40 |
Host Partners: Department of Natural and Environmental Resources of Puerto Rico and Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
Registration is free. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.
The purpose of this workshop is to increase your understanding of blue carbon concepts and how they can support land conservation and restoration goals and generate new revenue opportunities.
Blue Carbon refers to the carbon and other greenhouse gases captured, stored, and emitted by the world’s coastal ecosystems. In this workshop we will explore the greenhouse gas benefits provided by tidal wetlands, salt marshes, seagrasses, mangroves, and other coastal ecosystems. Participants will learn about the economics of blue carbon; the basics of coastal landscape project planning, models, and implementation practices; and the many co-benefits of combining blue carbon projects with traditional conservation and restoration activities.
This workshop is intended for anyone interested in coastal conservation and restoration, including natural resource managers, land owners, land trusts, municipalities, policy makers, planners, real estate professionals, attorneys and financial advisors, academia, and federal, state and local officials, and others.
Workshop Goals:
- Participants will be able to identify blue carbon applications and its potential to increase the value of coastal wetland conservation and restoration
- Learn about market and management opportunities using blue carbon
- Build capacity among local resource managers to incorporate greenhouse gas functions into management plans
- Assess opportunities and constraints for implementing blue carbon projects
Restore Americas Estuaries will lead the workshop. RAE has been leading the effort to develop coastal blue carbon tools, science, policies, and projects in the U.S. Their goal is to increase coastal ecosystem conservation and restoration through recognition of their value in climate mitigation and ecosystem services, including their ability to provide food, clean water, nutrient cycling, and recreational benefits.
Presenters include Steve Emmett-Mattox and Dr. Stephen Crooks. Mr. Emmett-Mattox is the Senior Director for Strategic Planning and Programs for RAE where he leads the U.S. blue carbon effort and has been developing strategic initiatives for 15 years. Dr. Crooks is the Director of Climate Change Services for Environmental Science Associates, Co-Chair of the International Blue Carbon Working Group, and member of the IPCC Working Group that drafted the 2013 guidelines to include wetlands in national greenhouse gas inventories.
Additional speakers include Dr. Ariel Lugo (International Institute of Tropical Forestry, USDA Forest Service), Dra. Elvira Cuevas (University of Puerto Rico Piedres CATEC), and Emmanuel Feliciano (NASA Carbon Monitoring System).
WHEN: July 13, 2016 from 8:30am-4:30pm
WHERE: USDA International Institute of Tropical Forestry (IITF), Jardín Botanico Sur, 1201 Calle Ceiba, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00926
Funding for this workshop is provided by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Coastal Program. Additional sponsors include U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Estuarine Research Reserve Science Collaborative, Restore Americas Estuaries, Caribbean Landscape Conservation Cooperative, Environmental Protection Agency-National Estuary Program, and Weeks Bay Foundation
Registration is free. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. To register, click “Register Online” at the top right corner of this page.
For questions about the workshop, please contact Stefanie Simpson at ssimpson@estuaries.org. For questions about registration, please contact Jacqueline Rose at jacqueline@weeksbay.org or 251-929-8466.
Gulf of Mexico Coastal Training Program 