Nature-based Climate Solutions in PNW
Nature has been shaping our climate over the past 450+ million years and is responsible for significant carbon drawdown over geologic time. Over the past 200 years, humans have significantly altered terrestrial landscapes, continuously removing themselves from and disrupting nature. Today, we travel to nature instead of seeing ourselves living as part of nature. While planting more trees has been the nature-oriented solution to climate change, the solutions are much more diverse. Come learn how conservation and land stewardship initiatives are working to help mitigate climate risk and impact, preserving habitats and ecosystems that protect nature, wildlife, and our natural resources.
Featuring 15-min talks from:
Speaker: Dave Upthegrove, Commissioner, WA DNR
Bio: Commissioner Dave Upthegrove has dedicated his career to public service and to addressing our most urgent environmental challenges. Before being elected to serve as Commissioner, Dave spent over twenty years representing the diverse working-class suburbs of South King County, first in the State House of Representatives and, most recently, as a member of the King County Council. As commissioner, Dave is honored to lead the talented and driven staff at the Department of Natural Resources and he is proud to support these 2,200 employees as they manage Washington’s lands and resources and meet our state's environmental challenges head-on.
Abstract: Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove is committed to tackling the climate crisis by unleashing the full power and potential of Washington's public lands and natural resources to develop nature-based climate solutions. In his speech, he will discuss ways in which the Department of Natural Resources is working to develop these solutions, as well as support innovation, expand clean energy projects, and mitigate the impacts of the climate crisis - from wildfires to forest health and beyond.
Speaker: Michelle Johnson Cobb, Chief Communications Officer & VP Marketing, Terraformation
Bio: Michelle is Chief Communications Officer at Terraformation, where she leads global marketing and communications to inspire committed support of native reforestation as the world’s most scalable, immediate climate solution. With over two decades of experience building markets for emerging products, she has driven growth and brand leadership at companies across climate, cybersecurity, and tech. Prior to Terraformation, she served as SVP of Marketing at Heliogen and CMO at Skybox Security.
Abstract: High-integrity reforestation projects face a fundamental product/market challenge: long timelines, complex risk, and limited scale don’t easily match today’s investor and offtaker expectations. At Terraformation, we’re working to bridge that gap—redesigning how projects are structured, communicated, and financed to better meet market needs without compromising ecological integrity. This session will explore how we're aligning restoration supply with demand through co-designed deals, flexible structures, and tools that increase transparency and trust.
Speaker: Tony Barbero, Grant Writer and Compliance Officer, United Indians of All Tribes Foundation (UIATF)
Bio: Tony Barbero is a social scientist and ecologist from San Francisco, CA. He has worked in the fields of environmental/food justice, renewable energy, restoration ecology, and social services both in California and Washington, and is currently the grant writer at United Indians of All Tribes Foundation (UIATF) in Seattle.
Abstract: Tony will be speaking on his work with United Indians, specifically the Daybreak Star Decarbonization Initiative as well as the Daybreak Star Indigenous Agroecology Lab (DSIAL). He will also briefly go over the history of the organization, and the ecological and climatological reasons that make this area uniquely suited for food sovereignty projects centered around the principles of restoration agriculture. He will also touch on how to integrate renewable energy into cities in a way that also benefits local ecologies, as well as emerging research on native crop cultivation that DSIAL hopes to advance.
Speaker: Jennifer Godfrey, Founder at Orca Nexus
Bio: Long time environmental activist and artist. Founder of Orca Nexus which focuses on the interconnectivity between trees, stormwater, and Southern Resident Killer Whales.
Abstract: My work at Orca Nexus strives to mitigate environmental risks and protect nature, keeping Seattle healthy and biodiverse. The Environmental Impact Statement for Seattle's 20-year comprehensive growth plan doesn't adequately protect our waters, which could threaten the recovery of our last 73 critically endangered orcas and salmon with increased polluted runoff. If the One Seattle Plan prioritizes the ecosystem services of trees, we can reduce polluted runoff, which will decrease the burden on infrastructure during storms and provide cool, clean water for marine life.
Speaker: Miranda Berger, Head of Development and Communications at the Biomimicry Institute
Bio: Miranda is Head of Development & Communications at the Biomimicry Institute, where she leads both the fundraising and communications teams to advance nature-inspired solutions to climate change. With over 20 years of experience in proposal writing and donor engagement, she brings a deep commitment to fostering a sustainable and inspired world.
Abstract: Discover how biomimicry—the practice of learning from nature to solve human challenges—is advancing climate solutions across the globe and right here in Cascadia. This session will highlight inspiring innovations rooted in nature’s genius, from structural color inspired by butterfly wings to ecosystem restoration efforts shaped by lava flows. Learn how these nature-based approaches are being applied to build climate resilience and support biodiversity.
Speaker: Daniel Hachet, Program Manager, Forterra
Bio: As a dedicated project manager at Forterra, Daniel leads initiatives at Forterra focused on environmental conservation and restoration. Their journey with Forterra began as a Stewardship Associate, actively engaging volunteers in restoring native ecosystems across King County. Daniel researched various conservation threats, collected and analyzed data to collaborate on a variety of site management plans for various city parks and Forterra properties to create prioritized conservation goals for each of the properties. Daniel also has prepared informational materials for partners and the public, resulting in documents such as a Winter Twig ID guide that has been requested by project donors and used by multiple municipal departments to identify plants in the winter.
Daniel earned their B.A. in Mathematics and Environmental Studies. Daniel engaged in habitat restoration, erosion control, and fish habitat preservation on private lands through the Washington Conservation Corps and is deeply passionate about fostering sustainable communities, preserving natural landscapes, and actively working in the field.
Abstract: Forterra launched the Evergreen Carbon Capture (ECC) program in 2008 to plant trees as a climate solution, and we’ve learned a lot since then. Today, we understand that true climate resilience comes from restoring full ecosystems, not just planting trees. Join us to explore what we’ve learned, how our work has evolved, and the many ways nature-based solutions are benefiting communities — far beyond carbon offsets.
Speaker: Maria Travaille, Director, North America Advisory Business, Carbon Direct
Bio: Carbon Direct is a carbon management firm that works with companies and organizations to measure, reduce and remove their carbon emissions. As Director of North America Advisory, Maria Travaille advises clients on high-quality carbon reduction and removal strategies and diligence, leading to tailored solutions and portfolios that maximize climate impact.
Abstract: Maria Travaille from Carbon Direct will be discussing Carbon Direct's NBS Advisory diligence offerings and Supply NBS CDR procurement offerings. Carbon Direct has diligenced over 850 carbon removal, reduction and restoration projects across 59 countries, and releases annual criteria with Microsoft to provide clear guidance to project developers on high quality carbon removal projects. Carbon Direct also provides immediate access to science-backed carbon removal credits centered around minimizing risk and maximizing impact, available for procurement and forward offtake.
Speaker: Tiffani Manteuffel-Ross, Technical Manager, Natural Climate Solutions, Mast Reforestation
Bio: Tiffani is a project coordinator and scientist by training with over 10 years of experience. She has an M.Sc. in Biology from University of Central Florida, with a strong background in conservation, restoration, and plant sciences. She is experienced in science education, project management, and applied research. Tiffani has been at Mast since 2018, first managing the R&D team to improve seed and seedling establishment for restoration, including a remote team in Aotearoa New Zealand. She now supports the implementation of biomass carbon credit projects through cross-team project management, communication of technical requirements, and relationship building with project partners.
Abstract: Mast Reforestation, is tackling one of the West’s most pressing climate challenges: what to do with the massive amount of fire-killed wood left behind after catastrophic wildfires. In this session, Tiffani Manteuffel-Ross will share how Mast’s MT1 Wood Preserve project combines post-fire biomass burial with native reforestation to deliver durable carbon removal and real ecological recovery. She’ll unpack how the project is designed, how permanence is tracked, and what it means for buyers who need high-integrity nature-based removals they can trust.
Speaker: Korina Stark, Program Director at Biochar On Site
Bio: Korina Stark advances the use of biochar to close waste loops in forestry, reduce fire risk, and improve drought-stressed soils. As a leader of Biochar On Site and Circular Spring, and with support from the USDA Forest Service, she helps communities repurpose forest residues into carbon-sequestering, moisture-retaining materials for long-term landscape health.
Abstract: Washington’s small forest landowners face increasing wildfire threats yet lack the resources to address the challenge. Korina will share details of the $2M, 3-year USDA Forest Service funded project, "Building a Biochar Market for Forest and Climate Resilience," focusing on the high fire-risk areas of Central and North Central Washington State.
The project's goal is to understand the effectiveness and replicability of using carbon credits from a new Climate Action Reserve protocol as a funding mechanism for fire resilience and forest health projects, converting waste biomass to biochar to reduce emissions and enhance soil health and drought resistance. In doing so, the project aims to unlock access to emerging climate markets for small and underserved forest landowners, provide training and build capacity for on-site biochar production & application services, sequester lots of carbon, and create new economic opportunities in rural areas.
Speaker: Alicia Robbins, VP of Natural Climate Solutions & Business Development, Weyerhaeuser
Bio: Alicia Robbins is Vice President of Natural Climate Solutions & Business Development for Weyerhaeuser, and leads teams developing long-term strategies and markets for forests, including forest carbon initiatives. Alicia is a fierce advocate for working forests and their positive climate impact, and she is leading the development of natural climate solutions to enhance the long-term value of the millions of acres of North American forestlands in our care.
Abstract: At Weyerhaeuser, we believe forests are essential to mitigating the impact of climate change. Forests are one of the most efficient, scalable solutions for removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere while providing economic and ecosystem benefits we rely on. In this session learn how natural climate solutions are providing opportunities for land stewards to protect and enhance economic and climate benefits.
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