National Adaptation Forum (NAF) 2024

We proudly sponsored the National Adaptation Forum (NAF), a biennial gathering for experts to network and discuss current and emerging climate adaptation concerns. 

At Abt Global, our climate experts understand that a focus on locally led, context-specific solutions is critical to successfully scaling climate adaptation solutions and bridging gaps in policy, finance, and technical expertise. Our approach combines deep expertise in climate risk assessments, geospatial analytics, and policy analysis with our global work across sectors. We partner with communities and stakeholders to identify entry points for action and develop evidence-based, multi-sectoral strategies that center equity and strengthen resilience to climate impacts. 

Find information on our presentations below. 

Panel: Tackling the Disproportionate and Combined Effects of Climate and Contamination on Indigenous Lands Through Adaptation   
Tuesday, May 14 from 3:10-4:40 PM ET, Rooms 5 & 6    
Speakers: 

• Heather Hosterman, Senior Associate, Abt Global
• Kaylene Ritter, President & CEO, Natural Nexus, LLC 
• Raymond Martinez, Pueblo de San Ildefonso, Director, Department of Cultural and Environmental Preservation  
• Brian Crossley, Spokane Tribe of Indians, Water and Fish Program Manager 
• Tabitha Langston, Ottawa Tribe of Oklahoma, Deputy Environmental Director  

The panel will tell the story of three Indigenous groups implementing climate adaptation measures, and their experiences with the combined and disproportionate effects of climate and contamination. 

Poster: Manoomin Characterization Study and Climate Impacts in the Lake Superior Region   
Tuesday, May 14 from 6:30-8:30 PM ET, Grand Ballroom; Grand Ballroom Concourse  
Abt Speaker: Heather Hosterman, Senior Associate

A variety of environmental factors threaten manoomin (wild rice) in the Lake Superior Basin, including climate change. This poster explores a novel, non-monetary approach to characterize the value of manoomin habitats (including the degraded functionality of manoomin habitats and the amount of equivalent habitat restoration needed to counterbalance the losses), and how Tribal communities are working to restore manoomin habitat in the face of climate change.  

Poster: Extreme Heat Findings: Behaviors of People and Practitioners as a Key to Inform Future Action 
Tuesday, May 14 from 6:30-8:30 PM ET, Grand Ballroom; Grand Ballroom Concourse  
Abt Speaker: Alexis St. Juliana, Senior Associate 

This poster features a recently completed project for the National Weather Service on extreme heat behaviors. It profiles findings for communicating and messaging impacts of heat on human health from three work streams including a literature review, practitioner focus groups, and a survey of the general public.