Fort Ross Dialogue 2020 - Land Management

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Fort Ross Dialogue Day 5: Historic & Contemporary Land Management Practices

In October 2020 California Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order directing state policymakers to design a roadmap that would protect 30% of California’s land and coastal waters in their natural state by 2030. The order allows for greater cooperation in the private and public sectors to develop technologies, programs, and best practices to lower carbon emissions and to protect the environment for future generations to enjoy.

Wade Crowfoot, California Secretary for Natural Resources, opened the panel by explaining Governor Newsom’s strategic plan to mitigate impacts of climate change across the state. The discussion also covered several relevant projects currently under implementation at Fort Ross State Historic Park, and explored the ways in which the Kashia Pomo have practiced these techniques for centuries before the arrival of European colonizers.

Opening remarks: Oleg Kuvshinnikov, Governor Vologda Region, Russia

Speakers:

• Wade Crowfoot, California Secretary for Natural Resources Speaker
• Brendan O’Neil, Chief of Natural Resources, Sonoma Mendocino District, and Senior Environmental Scientist, California State Parks, Sonoma-Mendocino District Speaker
• Nina Hapner, Director of Environmental Planning, Kashia Tribe
• Kaylynn Bittle, Youth Team Lead Healthy Soil Alliance

From Wade Crowfoot: “Our mission is to steward or care for the state’s natural resources, as well as cultural and historic resources. I’m really excited to be here today talking about the historic and contemporary land-use practices in relation to the region where Fort Ross is and more broadly in California. I want to pass on our greetings to our friends in Russia as well as around the world, those who have championed and partnered together to preserve the incredible historical and cultural legacy of Fort Ross and of course the friendship and collaboration between Russia and its people and between California and its people.”

From Gov. Kuvshinnikov: "It is specifically rewarding to see that despite all the obstacles faced in 2020, the Russian-American dialogue keeps ongoing….Russia today is making a significant contribution to preserving biodiversity on the planet. On the state level, a national project is being implemented to improve the environmental situation, and it calls for cuts on emissions, improvement of natural resources, protecting people as well as flora and fauna."