Saving species with science

From an interview with Gabriela Chavarria by Amanda Mascarelli posted on Nature News:

Coping with climate change is a key priority for conservation in the United States, says new science adviser.

In July, Gabriela Chavarria was named the top science adviser for the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), based in Washington DC. Born in Mexico, she has a PhD in biology from Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and 14 years of experience with non-governmental conservation organizations, most recently the Natural Resources Defense Council.

Her first big task will be presiding over the 27 September release of the service's national climate plan, titled "Rising to the Urgent Challenge". Nature spoke with her about the agency's scientific direction. . . .

What will the scientific priorities be on your watch?
Climate change. This is not a future event — climate change is happening here and now. With it comes so many different things, such as habitat fragmentation and loss, water scarcity and the spread of invasive species.

What role will the USFWS have in addressing climate change?
Our national climate plan focuses on three areas: adaptation, mitigation and engagement. We've built a five-year plan of action, and will be working with federal agencies, non-profit companies, private landowners and stakeholders so that we can protect and connect large intact habitats that will support many species.

One of the biggest pieces of our plan is engagement. We're reaching out to the public and our partners so that we can share information, work together and find joint solutions. Because climate change is a challenge posed to everybody, we really need to engage the public.

We are already playing a big part in the science of climate change. A couple of years ago, the USFWS developed the Landscape Conservation Cooperatives. These are partnerships focused on informing on-the-ground strategic conservation efforts in defined geographical areas.

We are bringing the science to the ground. This is not a Washington thing. We are providing the science at the regional level, so that each region addresses its key challenges.