Communities for Climate Action: Engagement Strategies That Work - March 19th Webinar

NCDD Friends, National Civic League are hosting the webinar, "Communities for Climate Action: Engagement Strategies That Work", on March 19 at 12:30 Pacific, 3:30pm Eastern. ​Join this insightful webinar exploring the intersection of climate action and inclusive community engagement, where local governments are leading efforts to address environmental challenges while strengthening democratic practices. Featuring experts from the Local Policy Lab and sustainability leaders from cities across the U.S., this session will highlight best practices, case studies, and tools for effectively engaging residents in climate resilience efforts. Attendees will gain practical insights on fostering authentic community involvement and ensuring environmental sustainability through policies that also reinforce democratic participation. Learn more in the blost post below and register here.

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Local governments across the U.S. are at the forefront of addressing the urgent challenges of climate change and environmental degradation, while simultaneously working to strengthen democratic practices by providing meaningful opportunities for residents to engage in decision making. In this webinar, we’ll explore the intersection of climate action and inclusive community engagement, emphasizing how cities can enhance both. We’ll dive into the Local Policy Lab's innovative approach, which helps local governments effectively engage residents in the process of ensuring environmental sustainability and resilience while simultaneously strengthening democracy.  

This session will feature practical insights and examples of how cities can proactively engage communities, minimize vulnerabilities, and deliver benefits that strengthen both local democracy and climate resilience.

Featured Topics:

• Overview of the Local Policy Lab's Climate and Democracy Engagement Strategy Toolkit
• Best practices for authentic community engagement in environmental sustainability policy efforts
• Case studies on how cities are strengthening democracy and resilience through climate action

Speakers

• Christine Lopes Metcalfe - Chief of Staff, Local Policy Lab
  
  Christine is the Chief of Staff at the Local Policy Lab. She most recently worked for the state of Rhode Island as senior advisor to the governor, chief executive officer of the Rhode Island Department of Education/School Building Authority leading its statewide school construction efforts, and as chief of staff at the RI Department of Education. Christine gained political, legislative, and organizing experience in Massachusetts and Rhode Island working on education issues along with campaign finance reform, constitutional rights, election protection, and civil liberties. 
  
  
• Peter Zahn - Vice President of Strategy, Local Policy Lab
  
  Peter is Co-Founder and Vice President, Strategy at the Local Policy Lab. He also serves as CEO of Futures Unbound, a philanthropy focused on empowering families, advancing climate solutions, and strengthening democracy. Previously, Peter was the owner of a business law firm, Deputy Mayor of Solana Beach, California (where he chaired the city’s Climate Action Commission), founder of the U.S. Green Chamber of Commerce, and a company CEO. He serves on the boards of the ZIP Entrepreneurship Platform at San Diego State University; the Foundation for City College of New York; the clean technology Rocket Fund at Caltech’s Resnick Sustainability Center; and Columbia University Law School’s Environmental Law Advisory Committee.
  
  
• Crystal Najera - Sustainability Manager, City of Encinitas, California
  
  Crystal Najera is the Sustainability Manager for the City of Encinitas. She has worked for the City of Encinitas in an environmental capacity for seventeen years. Currently, Ms. Najera oversees the implementation of the City’s Climate Action Plan. Her work includes developing energy efficiency and green building policy, supporting the transition to electric vehicles, advising on mobility and facilities infrastructure projects, and overseeing the City’s coastal management program. Ms. Najera holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Biology and Management from the University of California–Davis and two master’s degrees, one in Water Resources Management from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and a Master’s Public Administration from San Diego State University.
    
  
• Leigh Ratterman - Climate & Sustainability Specialist, City of Missoula, Montana 
  
  Leigh Ratterman has been involved in climate work for over ten years. She began her career digging through trash, recycling, and compost bins as a Zero Waste Event Coordinator at a nonprofit in Boulder, Colorado and worked her way into local government where she’s led programs and projects in business sustainability, sustainable food and agriculture, zero waste, and more. Today, she works as a Climate and Sustainability Specialist for the City of Missoula, Montana, where her focus areas include community resilience, zero waste, and the City’s internal climate goals and efforts. When not working, Leigh can be found exploring the mountains on horseback, learning about the river ecosystems while fly fishing, and herding cattle from one pasture to the next.
  

URL: Register here