Merging Science and Service with Community — Dr. Megan Jennings, Conservation Ecologist and Co-Director of SDSU’s Institute for Ecological Monitoring and Management

The Finest City

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Megan Jennings, a Conservation Ecologist and Co-Director of San Diego State University’s Institute for Ecological Monitoring and Management. As a research scientist at SDSU, Megan is based in the biology department and a co-champion for a new initiative at San Diego State, the Community Climate Action Network. In the conversation, Megan talks about the main issues facing San Diego’s backcountry, and the importance of collaboration between academic science, indigenous communities, and a wide array of disciplines in addressing climate change, highlighting the need for mutual respect and knowledge sharing.

Timestamps:

[2:23] When and why did SDSU create the Institute for Ecological Monitoring and Management?

[4:07] What are the problems that are increasing with climate change in San Diego’s backcountry?

[6:54] Working with the Climate Science Alliance to create a climate-informed conservation strategy to protect and preserve Southern California’s forests.

[10:10] What we can learn from fire-scarred dendrochronology, the recreation of fire history.

[13:52] Megan talks about learning the hard lesson of stopping new builds in high-fire-risk areas.

[15:20] Getting to the ultimate goal of restoring the good fire is the goal of many indigenous partners.

[17:30] The involvement of tribal nations in changing the collective attitude towards our interaction with the land and its flora and fauna.

[23:40] Once the fire has passed, can we restore our way out of habitat destruction?

[29:47] Chaparral and carbon dynamics.

[32:13] Carbon storage and sequestration in San Diego’s natural landscapes.

[39:56] Where can someone go for more resources and to get involved?

About C-3

Even before the California Coastal Commission or Environmental Protection Agency existed, Citizens Coordinate for Century 3 (C-3) was the environmental conscience of San Diego. Since that time, in part due to C-3’s leadership in education, advocacy, and empowerment, a plethora of organizations have developed throughout San Diego County. These organizations specifically focus on promoting progressive values in architecture, urban design, land-use governance, natural resource management, sustainable economic development, climate change resilience, and social justice. As the field of allies has grown, C-3’s role has evolved to provide a platform that promotes creating civic community.

Opportunities for Advocacy and Engagement:

C3sandiego.org

Institute for Ecological Monitoring and Management

Climate Science Alliance

Megan Jennings

Quotes:

• “The biggest problem that our country faces is not climate change per se, but a land use change.” — Megan [4:03]

• “I think it all connects back to the synergistic relationship between the impacts that people and our development have in and of itself and then having climate change layered on top above all of that” — Megan [4:49]

• “Drought and wildfire are the two concerns I have about what we’re seeing in terms of the most pressing changes.” — Megan [5:37]

• “We have a strong partnership in merging science and service with the community.” — Megan [6:09]

• “Science without direction doesn’t really have a place to go.” — Megan [7:42]

• “There’s a lot to be learned from the original stories of these landscapes that we haven’t been listening to.” — Megan [18:17]

• “The great thing about collaborating with people from different perspectives is you can do more, you can see more things, and you can take different approaches to things.” — Megan [22:44]

• “I understand what it’s like to need science and want to have somebody help provide it.” — Megan [35:59]

• “The more we have these connections, the better off we all are in trying to face the challenges that are in front of us.” — Megan [39:03]