Advancing California’s Climate Goals Through Nature-Based Solutions
Speaker: Clesi Bennett, Nature-Based Solutions Program Manager, California Natural Resources Agency
Thursday, October 16, 2025
6:00pm to 7:30pm Pacific Time
In-person event (recorded but not live-streamed)
Morse Building, Room B105
426 Van Buren Street, Monterey, CA 93940
MORE INFO AT GO.MIIS.EDU/SUSTAINABILITY

About the Topic

This talk will cover the State of California’s climate mitigation and adaptation goals at a high-level and will then dive into the role that nature-based solutions play in achieving them, including California’s Nature-Based Solutions Climate Targets. Specific emphasis will be placed on those solutions and targets relevant to California’s ocean and coast, also referred to as “blue carbon” strategies. The talk will also cover professional development pathways at the State of California for students and soon-to-be graduates.

About the Speaker

Clesi manages the California Natural Resources Agency’s nature-based solutions policy portfolio, including the development and implementation of California’s Nature-Based Solutions Climate Targets, Climate Smart Lands Strategy, Climate Project Registry, and more. With eight years at the Agency and its departments, Clesi plays a key role in advancing interagency climate initiatives and developing policy grounded in both scientific research and community priorities.

Location: Morse Building, Room B105

The Morse Building is located at 426 Van Buren Street, Monterey, CA, 93940, on the campus of the Middlebury Institute of International Studies. The Morse building usually has flags hanging from it, and is located next to the MIIS Our Green Thumb garden. B105 is located toward the back of the building on the first floor. There is a wheelchair lift in the Holland courtyard, and stairs can be avoided by circling the back of the Holland Center and back to Morse. Restrooms are located in the Holland Center.

Parking

Parking is available in any Middlebury Institute campus lot after 5 p.m., no parking permit required, no fee. View the campus map. (be sure to not confuse city lots with campus lots—city lots do charge a fee). Free parking is also available on the street (time limits on surrounding streets end at 6 p.m.).

Questions

Contact Rachel Christopherson at the Center for the Blue Economy at cbe@miis.edu or (831) 647-4183.