We have a lot going on within our relatively new climate and sustainability program. On the climate adaptation front. Perhaps of interest is the coastal facilities vulnerability assessment phase of our sea level rise and coastal hazards response strategy that we completed last spring. Here are links to the project story map and GIS based coastal flooding and erosion scoping tool.

With this study in hand, we are now starting to take a closer look at vulnerable coastal facilities through the risk management and policy lens. For example, facilities (like Potlatch day use) already experiencing chronic flooding and erosion—and whether to continue to operate them where they are now. The big lift is working through the policy and budget implications of identifying climate adaptation pathways (retreat, accommodate, resist) and the reality of implementing changes to our service delivery model in the context of DEI and other considerations.

There is also our sustainability (climate mitigation) front. Big initiatives such as fleet electrification and external EV charging infrastructure, building energy use audit and reduction investment, and renewable energy generation.

I would be happy to follow up on research/monitoring ideas for Potlatch, Dosewallips and other parks or any of the above thesis ideas.

Ryan Karlson (he/him)

Climate and Sustainability Coordinator

Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission

1111 Israel Road SW, Tumwater, WA 98501

p. 360.902.8650 

e. ryan.karlson@parks.wa.gov