Panel: Climate Change and Culturally-Important Foods, Resources and Places in the Salish Ecosystem

WSG’s Social Scientist Melissa Poe will lead a panel at the 2016 Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference discussing anticipated impacts from climate-related changes to the foods, ecosystems and places important to coastal indigenous communities.

Climate-related changes such as sea level rise, warming temperatures, ocean acidification, shifting fire regimes, and species migrations are impacting the composition and access to natural resources. Many of these changes affect our foods: the plants and animals essential for cultural, health, and economic well-being.

Spanning the Canadian and United States transboundary region, the panel will highlight emerging community strategies for restoration and adaption to changing climate and foods, including stories, aerial photography, and participatory methods. Contributors include students, First Nations leaders, scientists, government agency scientists, and university researchers.