Laura Ibarra, doctoral student at the Institute of Oceanological Research at the Autonomous University of Baja California (UABC) and Punta Banda Conservation Alliance Steering Committee member, is putting on two local community workshops on climate change in Punta Banda. These workshops will be a component of her doctoral dissertation to get her PhD. The topic of her research is: Climate Adaptation Strategies for the Protection of Critical Habitats for Shorebirds in the Punta Banda Estuary. Her dissertation will also address effects of climate change on the human community, collectively exploring ideas for dealing with climate change effects such as sea level rise in the future.

The purpose of Workshop #1 (November 15 at the Campo La Jolla salon) will be for community members to share stories, experiences, and observations about the estuary, how it has changed over time, and what it means in their daily lives. Workshop #1 will focus on community knowledge of the past and present. It will also include a presentation on projected climate change effects in the estuary for the future.

The purpose of Workshop #2 (November 29 at the Campo La Jolla salon) will be to collectively envision the future, exploring ideas for its care, resilience and conservation through community perspectives. Workshop #2 will focus on the question, “what can we do to build climate change resilience in our area?”

The workshops will mainly be in Spanish, but will be able to fully accommodate English speakers. English speakers are very welcome. Each workshop will be held at Salón Pabloff, Campo La Joya, Ejido Esteban Cantú at 10am. Community members are encouraged to attend both workshops, but are welcome to attend only one workshop if unable to attend both.