Presentation: Nature-Based Solutions in the Fight Against Climate Change

Secretary Wade Crowfoot (California Natural Resources Agency) will discuss California’s groundbreaking work on nature conservation. He will explore the State’s critical partnerships with American Indian Tribes, the creative ways that California is achieving climate and biodiversity goals and how California’s leadership is being recognized by the UN Climate and Biodiversity Conferences. 

Following his comments, the Secretary will moderate a panel discussion with local conservation and environmental justice leaders regarding nature connection and biodiversity work in San Francisco. Tyrone Jue, Director of the SF Environment Department, will make closing remarks.

Panelists 

Dr. Hollis Pierce-Jenkins, Executive Director, Literacy for Environmental Justice has served as Executive Director for Literacy for Environmental Justice (LEJ) since 2021, spearheading initiatives in environmental education and climate-resilient habitat restoration in Bayview Hunters Point. An accomplished executive with over 17 years of leadership experience, she holds an Ed.D. from the University of San Francisco. Dr. Pierce-Jenkins utilizes a servant-leadership approach to foster economic workforce development for local youth, managing a dynamic team that oversees native plant nursery operations and "Eco Adventures" programming to cultivate the next generation of global citizens.

Jean Fraser, CEO Presidio Trust, has dedicated her career to fostering healthy, equitable, and sustainable communities. Under her leadership, the Presidio Trust has restored dozens of acres of park land, opened the award-winning Presidio Tunnel Tops, and hosted millions of visits each year from people of all backgrounds, ages, and abilities. Jean serves on the board of The Climate Center and the San Francisco City Advisory Board of SPUR. She is a graduate of Yale University, Yale Law School, and the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS).

Sara Moncada, Director of Native Ecology, Association of Ramaytush Ohlone, is a professor of Native American Studies at City College San Francisco, and Director of Sewam American Indian Arts. She is co-founder of Wise Women Circles, a women-owned media group and was previously CEO of The Cultural Conservancy, a Native-led non-profit based in San Francisco. Sara serves on an Advisory Council for California Arts Council and has served as a panelist for the National Endowment for the Arts in 2021, as well as for San Francisco Arts Commission in 2024 and 2025. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for The Marin Museum of the American Indian and for The Video Project working in educational media. Sara has also taught as California College of the Arts and San Francisco State University and presents internationally on cultural arts, traditional ecology, and intersections in Native arts, religion, ecology, and policy. Sara is co-author of the book The Dance of Caring, a book exploring Native American Hoop Dance as a model for wellness, is the producer of the internationally successful documentary film NURSES If Florence Could See Us Now and produced the first four seasons of The Native Seed Pod podcast series.

Scott Sampson serves as executive director of the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, California. He is a dinosaur paleontologist, author, and science communicator. He regularly gives presentations to audiences of all ages, on topics ranging from evolution and science to education and nature connection. Sampson is known to children and parents around the world as “Dr. Scott the Paleontologist,” host and science advisor of the Emmy-nominated PBS KIDS television series Dinosaur Train, produced by the Jim Henson Company.

Wade Crowfoot serves as California’s Natural Resources Secretary, leading efforts to conserve California’s environment and natural resources. He has served as Secretary since 2019 and advises Governor Newsom as a member of his cabinet. Secretary Crowfoot oversees an agency of over 25,000 employees spread across 26 departments, commissions, and conservancies. His agency is charged with stewarding California’s forests and natural lands, rivers and water supplies, and coast and ocean. It also protects natural places, wildlife and biodiversity, and helps oversee the state’s world-leading clean energy transition.

Tyrone Jue directs SF Environment, leading the City’s efforts to advance climate action, environmental justice, and sustainability policies. He oversees a team of nearly 100 people who work on key issues such as renewable energy, clean air, clean water, zero waste, green transportation, and urban forestry. He is responsible for implementing the City’s ambitious 2021 Climate Action Plan, which aims to reach net-zero emissions by 2040 and enhance the City’s resilience, public health, economic recovery, and racial and social equity.

More Information at SF Environment's event page