Document 85Yzww2EaE6kvML9rE3NEbrZe

From: To: Cc: Subject: Date: Attachments: Goldberg, Jason Beniamin Tuggle; Mott, Seth Stephen Zvlstra: Hudson, Michael; Kurt Johnson National Climate Team Briefing Monday, November 20, 2017 12:10:39 PM Accomplishments Report for FY17 - 11.14.17.docx FY18 USFWS NCT Workplan - 11.14.17.docx Hi, Attached please find draft documents FY17 Accomplishments and the FY18 Workplan for the National Climate Team. I am talking with Seth tomorrow morning about this in anticipation of our briefing with Dr. Tuggle at 4 pm ET. Please let me know if you have any questions in the meantime or if I can be of additional assistance. Thank you, Jason Jason Goldberg U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Science Applications Ph: 703-358-1866 Cell: 240-687-8213 DRAFT November 14, 2017 Activities and Accomplishments Report for FY 2017 National Climate Team, US Fish and Wildlife Service October 2017 Introduction The purpose of the National Climate Team (NCT) is to help lead and coordinate the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (Service) response to climate change adaptation, resilience, and mitigation efforts at the national level, facilitate communications across regions and programs, and provide technical science and policy expertise within the Service. In any given year, the NCT completes a variety of tasks as broadly described in the NCT Charter (May 2015). The NCT holds monthly meetings to coordinate its work. The NCT also shares information across Service regions and programs via an e-mail listserv used to share announcements, articles, tools, and other resources. The NCT also supports the Climate Change Portal as a forum for exchanging information and provides assistance to regions and programs as requested (e.g., for grant or document review). This report summarizes NCT activities and accomplishments in FY 2017. Held monthly meetings to facilitate information exchange. The NCT met on a monthly basis to provide an active forum for NCT members to ask questions, share information, and maintain contact on climate-related issues. For example, with assistance from Congressional and Legislative Affairs (CLA), the NCT started reporting at its monthly meetings on climate change-related legislative updates on a regular basis. Regional and program updates gave NCT members the opportunity to share expertise and gain insights into the status of Service climate-related work across the country. Launched Climate Change Portal. The NCT led the development of a new online Sharepoint Climate Change Portal that was launched in FY17 and intended to serve as a Community of Practice for Service staff across the country. The Portal has references, discussion forums, and links to tools that the Service can use for decision-making at all levels of the organization and across all programs. For example, the Portal has a section for success stories and lessons learned that allows users to share examples from within the agency of vulnerability assessments and other projects that have improved the agency's ability to understand, prepare for, and address the impacts of climate change on natural resources. Continued the review of the Strategic Plan. A subteam of NCT members reviewed implementation progress of the 2010 Strategic Plan for Responding to Accelerating Climate Change. The work is intended to summarize where progress has been made, where gaps still exist, highlight actions that were not completed, and highlight ongoing needs and priorities. Selected new leadership. The NCT Charter requires NCT members to annually select a Chair and Vice-Chair each fiscal year. Jason Goldberg (HQ) and Mike Hudson (R1) were selected as the Chair and Vice-Chair, respectively in 2017. DRAFT November 14, 2017 Coordinated response to DOI climate change data call. The NCT coordinated the Service's input for a significant Department of the Interior data call on climate change activities related to SO 3349. This request was in response to Executive Order 13783: Promoting Energy Independence and Economic Growth, released in March 2017. The NCT provided data on key FWS policies that relate to climate change and examples of other documents that refer to climate change, such as the Climate-Smart Conservation manual produced by the National Wildlife Federation. NCT also provided data on grants that include climate change. Science Applications Program Acting Assistant Director Mott reported that the FWS response was well received by DOI leadership. Coordination with the Joint Interagency Working Group (JIWG). JIWG serves as a staff-level steering committee under the National Fish, Wildlife, and Plants Climate Adaptation Strategy (NFWPCAS). The Service, NOAA, and the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) are among the agencies represented on the JIWG. JIWG is working with senior representatives to review and determine the future direction of NFWPCAS implementation. The NCT provided input to help the JIWG identify future NFWPCAS implementation steps by giving the FWS JIWG staff representative feedback on the history and background of the NFWPCAS that was helpful in guiding NFWPCAS discussions about the future direction of the NFWPCAS. The NCT provided a supporting role to the JIWG for the second annual Climate Adaptation Leadership Award (CALA) for Natural Resources. NCT team members assisted AFWA and other federal agencies with the nomination web site content, graphics, and digital outreach strategy. Revised NCT Charter. The Charter formally describes the role, structure, and processes of the NCT. The NCT drafted a revised Charter that complies with the FY18 President's Budget request. The draft Charter will be held until needed for leadership review pending possible reorganization of Science Applications. Helped connect policy and talking points between HQ, Regional, and Field levels. By providing a forum for National, Regional, and Field staff from different programs to meet monthly, the NCT has helped ensure that programs can collaborate on climate change-related issues that has improved the ability of the agency to describe and take action on climate change impacts to trust resources, including adaptation and mitigation. For example, Mike Marxen, an Ocean Conservation Planner with the NWRS Pacific Marine National Monuments, joined the May NCT call to discuss a scenario planning need that can help with management of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument in the Northwest Hawaiian Islands. NCT provided the forum for him to get the assistance and ideas he needed. Communicated messages and stories about the Service's climate adaptation and resilience activities. The Fall 2016 issue of Fish & Wildlife News, released in late November, focused on the work of the Service to address climate adaptation and resilience. The "Spotlight" articles were repurposed into Open Spaces blog posts on fws.gov. The Communications subteam of NCT members maintained the @USFWSClimate Twitter and FWS Climate Facebook pages to share adaptation and resilience-related content and stories from Regional and Program social media DRAFT November 14, 2017 channels. New followers and "likes" steadily increased throughout the year. One particular highlight was a December-long series of quick tips on how to have a climate-friendly holiday season. Provided assistance to NCTC in training needs assessment from a climate change perspective. The NCT provided support to NCTC in development of climate-change related courses. NCT provided examples of how climate change is currently affecting wildlife resources and how Service staff are taking steps to help trust resources adapt to those changes for inclusion in courses. For example, NCT members assisted in the development of a "Climate 101" course (officially titled "Climate Fundamentals for USFWS Employees") by providing content and reviewing the presentations. Developed FY 2018 Work Plan. The NCT drafted a work plan for FY 2018, as required by the team charter. The plan was reviewed by the entire NCT, revised, and submitted to the AD-SA for review and concurrence. Conclusions Rollout of the Climate Change Portal, revision of the NCT Charter, and development of a work plan are particularly important accomplishments that provide a strong foundation for action in FY 2018 and beyond. FY17 National Climate Team Members DRAFT November 14, 2017 HQ Science Applications FAC ES Refuges Migratory Birds External Affairs International Affairs BMO-Engineering BMO-Economics NCTC BPHR WSFR Budget CLA Jason Goldberg, Kurt Johnson, Laura Maclean Dolores Savignano Nancy Green Scott Covington Vacant Brian Hires Vacant Andrea McLaughlin (with assistance from Marilyn Brower) Ted Maillett Dave Lemarie Alison Sasnett Christina Malloy/Christy Vigfusson Lydia Collins Taylor Pool Region 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Mike Hudson (with assistance from Kate Freund) Vacant Bob Krska Cindy Fury (with assistance from Lori Miller) Rick Bennett Greg Watson Charla Sterne Deb Schlaffman DRAFT November 14, 2017 FY2018 USFWS National Climate Team Workplan November 2017 Introduction The purpose of the National Climate Team (NCT) is to help lead and coordinate the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (Service) response to climate change adaptation, resilience, and mitigation efforts at the national level, facilitate communications across regions and programs, and provide technical science and policy expertise within the Service. The NCT supports the Climate Adaptation Network, a Service-wide senior leadership team focused on facilitating the integration of climate change considerations into all applicable Service activities, consistent with DOI and Service climate change policies. In any given year, the NCT completes a variety of tasks as broadly described in the NCT Charter (May 2015). The NCT holds monthly meetings to coordinate its work. The NCT also shares information across Service regions and programs via an e-mail listserv used to share announcements, articles, tools, and other resources. The NCT also supports the Climate Change Portal as a forum for exchanging information and provides assistance to regions and programs as requested (e.g., for grant or document review). This report highlights activities the NCT intends to pursue in FY 2018. Fish, wildlife, and plants provide jobs, food, clean water, storm protection, health benefits and many other important ecosystem services that support people, communities and economies across the nation. Action is needed to help safeguard these valuable natural resources for the American people and communities that depend on those resources in a changing climate. In light of the importance of Service efforts to effectively address climate change and its impacts in the context of other challenges, this FY2018 work plan for the National Climate Team (NCT) is guided by reviews that the Service has conducted to better understand how it can meet the challenges posed by climate change and better manage trust resources. This work plan is a living document that will be appended during the year with specific tasks to reflect new guidance or direction from the CAN or the Directorate, or new collaborative efforts initiated with the CAN or our partners. Remaining tasks are general in nature and do not contain sufficient specificity to associate a specific timeframe and/or deliverable, but are reflective of activities with which the NCT will be involved. The specific tasks identified through the course of FY2018 will depend on multiple factors including actions requested by the CAN, Directorate, or others as well as the available capacity and relevant expertise of individual NCT members. Workplan Tasks Technical Assistance and Internal Coordination o NCT tasks: Serve as a resource for Service staffneeding climate change assistance. Those Regional and Headquarters NCT members who have appropriate expertise 1 DRAFT November 14, 2017 and time will continue to assist, upon request, with integration of climate change information into Service staffday-to-day work. Timeframe: Ongoing through FY2018 Lead: Respective Program/Regional NCT representative, where available Deliverables: TBD Status: Ongoing Provide technical review and comment on relevant reports, policies, projects, papers, and other resources related to climate change. Prepare summaries as needed. This will be done in coordination with the Science Applications Program, regional andprogram climate teams and/or leads, CAN, and working groups or other staffas appropriate. Timeframe: Ongoing through FY2018 Lead: TBD for each review conducted Deliverables: Technical reviews; summaries when appropriate. Status: Ongoing Review and summarize existing andplanned adaptive management and mitigation projects, including projects such as thin layer application, carbon sequestration, and estuary restoration. These summaries would be tailored, as appropriate, to the needs ofdifferent Programs and organizational levels in the Service from HQ leadership to Field staff. Timeframe: Ongoing through FY2018 Lead: TBDfor each review conducted Deliverables: Summaries Status: Ongoing FWS Climate Change Strategic Plan The FWS Climate Change Strategic Plan (Strategic Plan) was finalized in 2010. The NCT will complete an informal review of the Strategic Plan and synthesize accomplishments and additional steps needed to meet the Plan's goals and objectives. o NCT tasks: Complete review ofFWS Climate Change Strategic Plan Timeframe: Oct 2016 - Winter 2018 Lead: Mike Hudson/Jason Goldberg Deliverables: Short document summarizing actions taken toward accomplishing goals and objectives ofthe Strategic Plan Status: Ongoing - Draft accomplishment table and draft write-up developed. Communications There is a continuing need to share general information and ensure consistent messaging internally and with the public about climate change, the Administration's priorities, and how 2 DRAFT November 14, 2017 the Service is responding in order to sustain its mission of conserving fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats. o NCT tasks: Maintain established channelsfor FWS climate change information. Continuedparticipation onjoint CAN/NCT communications subteam established to develop, finalize and implement the Climate Change Communications Strategic Plan. Timeframe: Ongoing through FY2018 Lead: Laura MacLean Deliverables: Climate Change Communications Strategic Plan Status: Ongoing The NCT will assist the CAN in the development, review and comment on draft leadership messages that address climate change and its effects. Timeframe: Ongoing on an as-needed basis through FY2018 Lead: Laura MacLean Deliverables: Leadership messages Status: TBD Review effectiveness of the Portal. Based on results of that evaluation, continue to identify, provide, and review contentfor a Service Community of Practice, including: success stories and examples ofon the ground work and projects involving climate change; links to existing scientific tools and resources; and sharing policy and guidance. Timeframe: Ongoing through FY2018 Lead: Jason Goldberg Deliverables: TBD Status: Ongoing- Informal review ofPortal is underway. Results and further NCT discussion will determine status ofPortal or other Communities ofPractice. Partnerships and External Coordination To enhance its own capacity and capability to address climate change adaptation, mitigation, and resilience for the benefit of trust resources, the Service needs to enhance partnerships with those who have the expertise to address bureau needs or help manage trust resources. For example, we will pursue opportunities to collaborate on shared priorities with State fish and wildlife agencies. The goal of partnerships and external coordination is to ensure that the Service has access to the right information and the right resources to meet its mission efficiently and effectively, and is able to help others working on similar goals to accomplish the same. Establish/maintain regular partnerships and communication with external partners: sharing information on current efforts and experiences; discussing and implementing opportunities to coordinate and collaborate; discussing and implementing opportunities to share expertise. Examples ofsuch work include collaborating with NOAA, NPS, and USGS on a Surface Elevation Table (SET) database, evaluating sea level models, and coordinating with NOAA 's Sentinel Sites Program on technical and communication-related issues. 3  Timeframe: Ongoing through FY2018 Lead: All NCT Deliverables: TBD Status: Ongoing DRAFT November 14, 2017 Training NCTC is focused on bringing targeted training to regions, developing the online course "Climate Fundamentals for USFWS Employees," and integrating climate change modules into existing training. NCTC will report on training needs and progress to DOI and others. o NCT tasks: The NCT will continue to provide assistance to NCTC, including expertise for development of course content related to climate change, and serving as instructors. Timeframe: Ongoing through FY2018 Lead: Dave Lemarie Deliverables: TBD Status: Ongoing NCT Function In addition to the aforementioned tasks, the NCT will function as follows in FY2018: o An annual dedicatedplanning meeting to reviewingprogress of the workplan, developing an accomplishments report showing outcomes, updating the workplan as needed, and selecting a Chair and Vice-Chair. Meeting will be "in-person " if possible. Timeframe: Oct 2017 Lead: Chair/Vice-chair o Continue to coordinate with CAN to identify areas where NCT support is needed. Time frame: Ongoing through FY2018 Lead: Chair/Vice-chair o Representation from all Programs and Regions (consistent with NCT Charter) o Monthly meetings by phone with all NCT members. o Provide work plan and accomplishment reports annually. 4 From: To: Subject: Attachments: Stephen guertin@fws.gov gary frazer@fws.gov: Virginia johnson@ios.doi.gov: seth mott@fws.gov: Steve guertin: tom melius@fws.gov: charisa morris@fws.gov: maureen foster@ios.doi.gov: jim kurth@fws.gov: Gina Shultz@fws.gov New Event: Brief AS-FWP on first package of SO 3349 deliverables @ Mon Apr 10, 2017 11am - 11:30am (stephen_guertin@fws.gov) invite.ics more details <https://www.google.com/calendar/event? action=VIEW&eid=aG9sbXRicXFqYXRjaHRsazgwcjM3cjI0Y3Mgc3RlcGhlbl9ndWVydGluQGZ3cy5nb3Y> Brief AS-FWP on first package of SO 3349 deliverables Briefing on first two SO 3349 deliverables from the FWS: 1. Mitigation policies review 2. Climate policies review Report on these two reviews due from AS FWP to DOI on Wednesday 4/12 When Mon Apr 10, 2017 11am - 11:30am Eastern Time Where AS_FWP conference room (map <https://maps.google com/maps?q=AS+FWP+conference+room&hl=en> ) Video call Calendar stephen_guertin@tws.gov Who stephen_guertin@fws.gov - organizer gary_frazer@fws.gov virginia_johnson@ios.doi.gov seth_mott@fws.gov steve guertin tom_melius@fws.gov charisa_morris@fws.gov maureen_foster@ios.doi.gov jim_kurth@fws.gov Gina_Shultz@fws.gov Invitation from Google Calendar <https://www.google.com/calendar/> You are receiving this email at the account thomas_irwin@fws.gov because you are subscribed for new event updates on calendar stephen_guertin@fws.gov. To stop receiving these emails, please log in to https://www.google.com/calendar/ and change your notification settings for this calendar. Forwarding this invitation could allow any recipient to modify your RSVP response. Learn More <https://support.google.com/calendar/answer/37135#forwarding> .