Magazine ~ Fall 2020

CLIMATE science for CHANGE

FALL 2020

Looking back, forward In an unprecedented year, we reflect on our beginnings and accomplishments, and launch a new phase with renewed commitment.

Into the woods From Maine to Brazil, forest research has been at the Center’s core since its founding, and continues to be an area of innovation.

Contents 01 / From the

President

03 / As Amazon

deforestation worsens, Woodwell-IPAM partnership builds strength

07 / Smoke

CLIMATE science for CHANGE

signals: monitoring Amazon air quality

08 / Parallel

global crises: Pandemic alters research, highlights need for leaders to listen to science

10 / Forests

as natural climate solutions

13 / Howland

Forest research: A lasting Woodwell legacy

16 / Renowned

beginnings

18 / New

research organization came from humble

name, renewed commitment

20 / 2020: A year unlike

any other

22 / Climate

Risk program analyzes global hazards, provides community-level assessments

23 / Warming threatens

keystone species of Arctic freshwater ecosystems

24 / Growing the

next generation of climate scientists

26 / Fund

for Climate Solutions awards innovative science, continues growth

28 / Annual report

Welcoming new board members / Board and staff

Statements of activities and financial position / Donors

Climate Science for Change is published

by Woodwell Climate Research Center in Falmouth, Massachusetts.

Woodwell Climate Research Center is a leading source of climate science that drives the urgent action needed to solve the climate crisis.

President & Executive Director Dr. Philip B. Duffy Chief Communications Officer Dr. Heather M. H. Goldstone Director of Publications & Media Miles Grant Graphic Designer Julianne Waite Copy Editor Elizabeth Bagley Images Paulo Brando, Carl Churchill, Greg Fiske, Miles Grant, Leandro Maracahipes, Woodwell archives Woodwell Climate Research Center 149 Woods Hole Road Falmouth, MA 02540 Email: info@woodwellclimate.org Website: woodwellclimate.org Newsletter Subscribe at woodwellclimate.org Copyright All material appearing in Climate Science for Change is copyrighted unless otherwise stated or it may rest with the provider of the supplied material. Climate Science for Change takes care to ensure information is correct at time of printing.

Cover: This map shows the increase (orange) in number of days above 32º C by mid-century compared to 1971–2000, assuming 2.5º C of warming. / map by Carl Churchill

From the President

This has been a year none of us will soon forget, and the excitement may not be over.

As I write this, Joe Biden is preparing to take office as our 46th president, even as the losing incumbent refuses to concede. New case numbers for COVID-19 are breaking records globally and in the United States, and the impending holiday season threatens to push them higher still.

Events like these draw attention away from climate change, but this was a remarkable year in that domain as well. Among other things, I will remember 2020 as the year that climate change smacked us in the face, becoming disruptive on a broad scale. In California, wildfires burned more than 4 million acres, more than twice the previous annual record, set only two years ago—and the fire season continues. Record-breaking wildfires also occurred in other western states, as well as in the Arctic, parts of Brazil, and Australia. In addition, this year saw a record number (30) of named tropical storms in the Atlantic, as well as a record number (12) of storms making landfall in the United States—and the hurricane season continues.

Against this backdrop of destruction, and nearly lost in the post-election tension, on November 4 the United States became the only nation in the world not to be a party to the Paris Climate Agreement. And the scheduled meeting of United Nations climate negotiators in December is not taking place, for the first time ever, because of COVID restrictions.

What can we expect the new year to bring, in terms of climate progress?

Big picture, it is clear that the Biden-Harris administration will make climate change a top priority and will integrate climate priorities into its policies throughout the government. They are being urged to create a new administrative structure in the White House specifically to accelerate climate progress. This would be appropriate, not only because of the urgency of the issue but because climate change touches everything—every citizen, every state, every sector of the economy. Solutions need to be comprehensive.

It’s premature to divine the implications of the election for climate progress at the federal level in the United States (although that’s not stopping lots of folks from trying). Among other unknowns, control of the Senate remains in doubt. Regardless of that outcome, I suspect that bold, comprehensive climate legislation (like carbon pricing) is probably not in the cards. If I am wrong about that, it will be because of pressure from the private sector, and we can be proud that Woodwell’s work with leaders in the world of business and finance is moving things in that direction. A more likely possibility for legislative progress is to insert climate measures in non-climate legislation, such as the next farm bill.

An economic stimulus bill in response to COVID provides another opportunity for climate progress, via investments in low-carbon and climate-ready infrastructure, for example.

Of course, non-legislative tools, including executive orders and EPA regulation of greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act, can make a big difference. The Clean Air Act, for example, allows (in fact requires) EPA to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles, power plants, and industry. The Obama administration used this tool effectively, but court challenges have limited its impact.

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From the President

continued

How might all of this affect our work at Woodwell Climate?

A significant fraction of our revenue comes from federal government research grants, hence we closely follow prospects for global change research funding. Here again, there is little certainty. Historically, funding for U.S. global change research has been remarkably insensitive to changes in political leadership, holding steady at around $2.5 billion per year through the Obama and Trump years. A Biden-Harris administration may well seek increases; on the other hand, unprecedented federal budget deficits will create pressure in the opposite direction.

Some basics about our work won’t change. The topical focus areas of our research—Arctic, Carbon, Risk, Tropics, and Water—reflect the important scientific questions that need to be addressed to inform climate policies, and those don’t change with political leadership. What may be new, of course, are opportunities to apply this understanding to federal climate policy. For example, meeting the new administration’s top-line goal of reaching net-zero emissions economy-wide by 2050 will require aggressive and intelligent use of land carbon sinks. We can make two essential contributions here: scoping and planning, and measuring progress (carbon storage) after policies are implemented. Similarly, our work on greenhouse gas emissions from a thawing Arctic provides critical (but currently overlooked) information in setting global mitigation targets. Once again, having access to U.S. negotiators in the State Department will provide an important pathway for that work to have impact. These would be major contributions, and there will likely be other opportunities as well.

One thing I know for sure about 2021 and beyond is that the bombardment of extreme weather events will continue. As I have said in public, the terrible climate-related events of 2020 are not the new normal—extreme weather and all of its associated societal consequences will continue to get worse as long as we keep adding greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. The challenge and the urgency are greater than ever, but it will be extremely helpful to once again have an executive branch willing to recognize the threat of climate change and to embrace science-based policies to address that threat. At a critical moment, this will create important opportunities for Woodwell, for the nation, and the world.

Philip B. Duffy President and Executive Director

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As Amazon deforestation worsens, Woodwell-IPAM partnership builds strength Miles Grant Director of Publications & Media Relations

After 2019 saw the worst year for Amazon deforestation and fires in a decade, scientists at Woodwell Climate Research Center and IPAM AmazĂ´nia have made a new push to end deforestation and reduce associated fires. In 2020, we initiated a landmark effort to track Amazon destruction as it happens, launched an innovative mechanism to encourage rural farmers and ranchers to conserve Amazon forest, and brought international attention to Amazon conservation with a Climate Week NYC event.

Woodwell and IPAM have partnered for 25 years to study the Amazon, work with local governments and Indigenous groups to help sustain it, and examine the climatological and ecological benefits of avoiding deforestation and promoting sustainable agriculture. Learning how to stop deforestation and assist forest regrowth can not only help tropical countries achieve their climate goals by maintaining and restoring carbon stocks in protected forests, Indigenous reserves, and private properties, it can also protect biodiversity and forest ecosystem services.

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A watchful eye on the Amazon The grim spike in Amazon forest-clearing in 2019 sparked renewed efforts to monitor the Amazon and work to stop the destruction. While fires intentionally set to clear land for farming and ranching typically peak in August and September, the trees are cut down months beforehand and left to dry.

Woodwell and IPAM scientists began meeting months in advance to determine a strategy to bring attention to this year’s deforestation data and its connection to global climate change.

The resulting monthly joint analysis—the Amazon Deforestation and Fire Update—revealed that 8,550 km2 of Amazon was lost from January to October 2020. Deforestation rates actually exceeded 2019 levels for the first six months of the year and remained well above the long-term average through the summer. While the vast majority of that deforestation took place on unprotected lands—either private properties or undesignated lands—illegal cutting on protected lands rose to account for 17% of deforestation.

“This data shows a second consecutive year of rising deforestation and fires in the Brazilian Amazon, reversing what had been a decade-long trend of relatively low deforestation.

We can look at this data and see where the deforestation is happening, and the majority of it is illegal—people deforesting without permits on their land or stealing land from unprotected areas,” said Dr. Michael Coe, Tropics Program Director at Woodwell Climate Research Center. “Brazil’s government has said the right things when it comes to banning fires during the dry season, but these numbers show much more needs to be done when it comes to enforcement.”

All carbon stored in the cut trees will enter the atmosphere sooner or later. In this case, the carbon dioxide emissions committed to the atmosphere as a result of forest clearing are expected to be roughly 288 million metric tons—equivalent to the annual emissions of 62 million cars, and accounting for about half of Brazil’s annual total CO2 emissions.

The data also showed fires continued to escalate despite a fire ban announced by the Bolsonaro administration in early July. And a novel analysis of precipitation data revealed extraordinarily dry climate conditions across much of the Amazon basin, raising concern about the potential for intentionally set fires to escape and cause additional forest degradation.

“When the Amazon burns, it not only creates carbon emissions, but also intense air pollution that exacerbates the public health crisis at a time when Brazil is seeing some of the worst rates of COVID-19 infection in the world,” said Dr. Ane Alencar, Director of Science at IPAM Amazônia.

Previous page, next page: photos by Paulo Brando Right: top and center maps by Greg Fiske, bottom map by Carl Churchill

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Preserving privately-owned forest Because of the range of lands on which forest can be found, there is no one-size-fits-all policy that can stop deforestation.

By working collaboratively with stakeholders, Woodwell and IPAM have developed strategies for addressing the needs and motivations of both large and small agricultural producers, Indigenous landholders, and lands without any government designation. Now, in conjunction with the Environmental Defense Fund, we have launched a new program to encourage rural producers in the Brazilian Amazon to preserve forests on their land that could otherwise be legally deforested.

The CONSERV initiative began in Brazil’s Mato Grosso State with seven 30-month contracts encompassing 6,500 hectares of forest. Producers who join the initiative are paid every six months, after monitoring by IPAM verifies that protected forest has not been disturbed. Before signing the contract, IPAM

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analyzes the rural producer, its associates, and the property’s status, including the preserved area, land documentation, and environmental records. The monitoring is continuous during the contract period, along with satellite monitoring and field visits to guarantee that the forests are, in fact, protected.

In coming months, CONSERV aims to sign up to 30 more contracts in pre-chosen municipalities, achieving a total coverage area of 15,000 to 20,000 hectares. The payments made to farmers will continue though the end of 2022 and are generated from donations from the Norwegian and Dutch Embassies. The plan is to expand the program in the future based on private financing, not donations.

“Our goal is to scale CONSERV up to become a business model for conservation of private forests in Brazil,” said André Guimarães, IPAM Executive Director and a member of Woodwell Climate’s board of directors.

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A Global Spotlight The CONSERV program is one example of the type of cooperative conservation efforts highlighted at a Climate Week NYC webinar hosted by Woodwell Climate and IPAM Amazônia. In addition to IPAM’s André Guimarães and Drs. Michael Coe and Marcia Macedo from Woodwell, the event included Indigenous activist Walelasoetxeig Paiter Bandeira Suruí, small farmer and entrepreneur Felisbela Maria Costa Santos, and Brazilian Agribusiness Association Chairman Marcello Brito. The webinar highlighted the specific needs of each stakeholder group while advocating for a common goal of reducing deforestation.

Assistance from Woodwell and IPAM scientists has proven economically advantageous for small farmers, who have received technological support and guidance to increase both the output and sustainability of their businesses.

“We were working without assistance, and didn’t even know where to start, so IPAM brought technical assistance to all farmers in the vicinity of the Transamazon highway,” said Felisbela Maria Costa Santos. “With the arrival of IPAM, the region became a big success. IPAM brought renewal, and a new kind of agriculture. They brought financial support, but more than that they brought us the knowledge we have today.”

Woodwell Climate and IPAM Amazônia scientists not only bring technical knowledge to farmers in the region but also support sustained action against climate change spearheaded by organizations such as Associação Kanindé, an Indigenous

association that supports communities in Rondonia state, Brazil. Across the Amazon, illegal invasions have led to land clearing and burning within Indigenous territory.

“We have been fighting this fight for 500 years. We will not stop now. We will not give up now. Our hope is that more people will join us in the fight. That they understand the importance of standing forests. That they understand the importance of protecting the rights of Indigenous people—and Indigenous people themselves,” Walela Suruí, a law student and Indigenous activist of the Paiter Suruí people, told the Climate Week NYC event. “I want to take the opportunity to ask those of you watching to join with these communities—not only Indigenous people but all communities who fight for standing forests, and who understand its importance to people that live there and to the world.”

Shortly after the Climate Week NYC event, Woodwell Climate’s Dr. Marcia Macedo and policy expert and activist Valéria Paye Pereira of the Kaxuyana people echoed the call for respecting Indigenous knowledge and upholding Indigenous land rights in a co-written opinion piece in the New York Times.

“The future of tropical forests, and the future global climate, are indelibly tied up in guaranteeing the rights of Amazon Indigenous people to their land and livelihoods,” they wrote.

“Defending their territories protects their social and cultural rights. But it also conserves natural ecosystems that are critical for the well-being of all people.”

WATCH Above: Climate Week NYC webinar presenters and panelists (top row) André Guimarães, Marcia Macedo, Michael Coe, (bottom row) Felisbela Maria Costa Santos, Walelasoetxeig Paiter Surui, Marcello Brito

The Climate Week NYC webinar, A Plan to End Deforestation in the Amazon, is available to watch on our website at: woodwellclimate.org/stories/video

Next page: Forest fire haze seen over the forest at Tanguro Ranch in Mato Grasso, Brazil. / photo by Leandro Maracahipes, IPAM

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Smoke signals: tracking Amazon air quality Annabelle Johnston Communications Intern

As deforestation and the COVID-19 crisis continue to plague the Amazon rainforest, Woodwell Climate Research Center is reinforcing its commitment to supporting the region through fieldwork and science-driven policy. Senior scientist Dr. Foster Brown is working to establish and expand a network of air quality monitors that have already spurred important conversations and collaborations with public ministries in the Amazon.

Brown is an environmental geochemist who has been involved with Woodwell Climate for over thirty years. Dr. Tom Lovejoy introduced Brown to Dr. George Woodwell in 1982 at a conference held in São Paulo. Brown was contracted as a consultant in the early years of what was then Woods Hole Research Center before receiving a grant from the World Wildlife Foundation to support his full-time employment based in Massachusetts. After leading workshops on climate change around the world, Brown returned to Acre, Brazil in 1992, where he has lived and worked for nearly three decades.

reforested region. Through that work, he established relationships with key figures in Brazilian government and climate policy. In the 1990s, Brown became involved with NASA’s Large Scale Biosphere Atmosphere Experiment in the Amazon (LBA), an international science community focused on studying and protecting the region he called home. Through LBA, Brown assisted with an air quality monitoring project, experience that laid the groundwork for his own research.

In the coming decades, fires became a troubling and recurring presence across the forest, raising ongoing concern. While forest fires have long been a presence in the eastern Amazon, for decades it had been thought that the western portion of the tropical rainforest—where Acre is located—was too wet to allow fires to run rampant.

However, in 2005, Brown noted that the “smoke [in Acre] was so thick one could cut it with a knife.” Fires of this severity recurred in 2010, 2016, 2019, and 2020.

Acre is known as the state at the end of the world, but Brown sees it as central to the global climate crisis. “I’m on ground zero,” said Brown. “What’s good for my neighborhood is good for the planet.”

Simultaneously, as the severity of the fires increased and air quality worsened, NASA funding for work in the region diminished over time. “We knew there was a problem,” explained Brown, “but we couldn’t measure it because the equipment was too expensive.”

Brown hopes to get the public engaged with the planet, and believes air quality monitoring is critical because breathing is a personal, tangible measure of climate harm. The roots of this project extend back to 1983, when Brown was employed as a professor in Rio de Janeiro and conducted a study on the input and output of nutrients in a nearby

For years, scientists developed workarounds, using satellite imagery while striving to secure funding for sensing equipment on the ground.

Eventually, Brown stumbled upon Purple Air Units—cost-effective air quality monitors that number over 9,000 installed across the globe. With funding secured from the Grace Brown

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foundation, sensors were purchased and installed in both the Brazilian Amazon and across the border in Peru.

In the latter portion of 2018, the Brazilian Public Ministry expressed interest in this work, allowing Brown to order additional sensors, for a current total of 30. Acre is the only state in Brazil with a sensor in every municipality.

“Here we can see the effects of a technological revolution,” said Brown.

Purple Air sensors take two measurements at once, providing approximately 1000 data points daily from each sensor. This influx of data would have been inconceivable decades ago and the ability to view data from sensors around the world on Purple Air’s website gives people a tool for seeing their air quality in a global perspective.

As equipment continues to decrease in cost, Brown hopes to expand this project in the coming years, establishing sensors in private homes around the world.

Quantifying air quality is a critical aspect of understanding human health and conservation issues, and allows scientists to link knowledge with action when working with state officials and the general public. As the respiratory consequences of COVID-19 draws public attention to air quality issues, Woodwell Climate has continued to engage stakeholders and deliver information directly to the public.

“My role is just a link in a large chain,” said Brown. “It doesn’t make me more important, but it doesn’t make me less important either. We all need to do our part.”

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Parallel global crises Pandemic alters research, highlights need for leaders to listen to science Miles Grant Director of Publications & Media Relations

The year 2020 will go down as unprecedented in the Center’s 35-year history: Nearly-empty offices, limited laboratory work, and hardly any field research. As the COVID-19 pandemic has spread, Woodwell Climate scientists have been challenged as never before to find creative ways to achieve their research goals—and, as with climate change, world

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leaders have been challenged to accept science or face the consequences.

Almost all Woodwell staff have been working remotely since the outbreak began in March. After a total shutdown in March, the Gilman Ordway Campus in Falmouth partially reopened in June following guidelines from the state of Massachusetts. Essential staff may enter

the office after completing a virtual training. Strict health protocols are in place, common areas remain closed, and only a handful of staff work out of the offices each day.

The reopening effort has been overseen

by Laboratory Manager Lindsay Scott, now holding the additional role of COVID Safety Director.

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The ripple effects of pandemic restrictions have been widespread in the climate science and policy communities, for example moving this year’s American Geophysical Union annual meeting online. The next United Nations climate change conference, known as COP26, has been delayed a year until November 2021.

“Keeping our lab running with few staff on hand is a challenge because many of our instruments don’t do well when they’re idle for any period of time,” she said.

Impacts on field research have varied.

In the Amazon and in the Democratic Republic of Congo, local partners have been able to keep some research going.

While some fieldwork in New England has been conducted in a socially-distant manner, tasks such as equipment hand-off must be reevaluated in light of pandemic guidelines. Meanwhile, with concerns about student and Indigenous community safety in mind, Woodwell revamped this year’s Polaris Project to be primarily online, while offering this year’s students a chance to make the usual trip to Alaska in 2021.

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More broadly, the pandemic’s impact has been hard to watch for Woodwell Climate scientists, who immediately noted parallels in the government response and polarized public opinion. Much as climate scientists have battled indifference and complacency, the advice of health experts on confronting COVID has not been accepted or enforced widely enough to stave off widespread harm.

“We in the United States cannot seem to organize ourselves to take the simple steps needed to control the virus,” wrote Woodwell President Dr. Phil Duffy in an August op-ed. “We need to do a lot better than this if we want to have a chance of stopping climate change.”

Within the tragedy of the pandemic, there have been glimmers of hope for what a more sustainable future on the other side could look like. Lockdown measures have cut the world’s carbon pollution, though only temporarily, and it remains to be seen how many policies and behaviors, like work-from-home,

will outlast the pandemic. Stimulus measures to address the economic slowdown could provide an opportunity to jump-start a low-carbon economy.

As for Woodwell’s operations, COVID’s continued spread means remote work will continue to be the norm. Staff have sought ways to stay connected socially, as well, holding virtual morning coffee sessions and distanced group dog walks.

It’s been especially challenging for newer staff. Leslie Kolterman started work as Woodwell’s Chief Development Officer only a few days before quarantine began.

“Woodwell’s thorough interview process helped me get to know the organization quickly, and because we had so much intensive work underway with rebranding, it brought our development team together to work collectively,” said Kolterman. “The urgency of the Center’s mission really carries us along, a combination of a cohesive internal culture and an urgency to secure the resources we need to do the science necessary. I’m especially grateful to our board, led by our chair Joe Mueller and our vice chair Connie Roosevelt, which is one of the best fundraising boards I’ve ever worked with.”

That strong, ongoing support for the Center’s mission will be needed more than ever as the pandemic continues into 2021.

Previous page: Some of Woodwell’s staff participated in taking working-from-home selfies in the spring.

Above left: Joseph Zambo sampling greenhouse gas fluxes in rice fields in Mbandaka, DRC.

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Forests as natural climate solutions Miles Grant Director of Publications & Media Relations

Achieving internationally agreed climate targets is likely to require not only rapid decarbonization across all sectors of the economy, but also the removal of massive amounts of carbon from the atmosphere. Protecting and restoring forests currently is the most costeffective way to do that. Already, forests absorb roughly one third of fossil fuel emissions globally. Forest restoration and regrowth could expand that, but specifics of where and how much remain uncertain. Woodwell Climate Research Center continues to be a global leader in

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advancing understanding of the potential of this natural climate solution, and carrying that understanding into the public sphere.

solutions could provide over a third of the emissions reductions needed in the coming decade to limit warming to less than 2°C.

While it is clear that forests have a significant role to play in climate change mitigation globally, incorporating natural climate solutions into emissions reduction and sustainable development goals at the national or local level remains more challenging. Previous work with collaborators at The Nature Conservancy showed that natural climate

More recently, Carbon Program Director Dr. Wayne Walker and former Woodwell Climate Research Assistant Melissa Chapman were part of an effort to assess the potential contribution of ecosystem protection, management, and restoration to the climate plans of tropical nations under the Paris Agreement. Bottom line: the study found that in half of

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the countries examined, cost-effective natural climate solutions could mitigate half of fossil fuel emissions and, in more than a quarter of those countries, natural climate solutions could absorb more carbon than the country emits.

Finding unexpected potential New work this year highlighted the fact that the climate benefits of trees need not be reserved solely for large tracts of forest. A study led by Chapman found that trees planted on agricultural land could have a significant impact, with just 10% adoption holding the potential to realize as much as 7.6% of the total climate change mitigation needed by 2030 to keep global warming below 2°C. “Additions of trees to agricultural land is a win-win. By reducing soil loss and increasing shade, agroforestry practices have the potential to benefit farmers and their communities by increasing yields, protecting health, and improving biodiversity,” said Dr. Walker, a coauthor on the study.

Crop and pasture lands currently account for over one-third of global land cover, and agricultural production accounts for about a tenth of global carbon emissions.

That means there’s a lot of room for improvement, but the study identified a potential obstacle—the greatest potential for increased carbon accumulation is in places that don’t include agroforestry among formally recognized climate mitigation strategies.

“More research is needed to understand how best to realize the carbon potential of increased integration of trees in agricultural landscapes at the regional and national scales. If we know what’s driving higher adoption in certain regions—whether it’s policy levers or economic incentives—we can look to apply those successes more broadly,” said Chapman, now a Ph.D. Candidate at the University of California, Berkeley.

Meanwhile, other work involving Dr. Walker and Woodwell Senior Scientist Dr. Richard (Skee) Houghton provided

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a more accurate picture of the potential impact of natural forest regrowth, rather than active tree planting. The landmark study mapped the carbon accumulation potential of natural forest regrowth and found that the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) may be underestimating rates by 32 percent on average.

“While there has been much in the news recently about how management actions—like initiatives to plant a trillion trees—could be employed to reduce the accumulation of carbon in the atmosphere through increased storage on land, this paper points to the significant role that Mother Nature has to play in mitigating climate change if we simply allow forests to regrow on their own,” said Dr. Walker, Woodwell’s Carbon program director.

However, the study also highlighted the importance of where—not just how much— forest regrowth is pursued. The work revealed that the potential for carbon accumulation can vary by up to 100fold, depending on factors like climate, soil, and slope. The authors also concluded that previous work may have overestimated the global potential of natural forest regrowth by 11 percent owing to overly high

carbon accumulation rates assumed for some areas.

“Among the pathways currently considered for natural climate solutions, natural forest regeneration (or reforestation) is comparable in terms of carbon emissions to avoiding deforestation (or conservation). Natural regeneration is also lower in cost than planting trees and has the potential to help rebuild natural biodiversity,” said Dr. Houghton.

Previous page: Clearcut logging for timber harvesting in the foothills of Alberta’s Rocky Mountains.

Above: Alley cropping soybeans and walnut trees in Missouri. / photo courtesy National Agroforestry Center, CC by 2.0

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overshooting emissions targets,” said Woodwell Associate Scientist Dr. Jon Sanderman, a co-author of the study.

Time is not on our side It has been widely noted that, while carbon capture technologies are still in development, forest conservation and reforestation are carbon drawdown strategies available today. However, while trees can be planted, protected, and allowed to regrow immediately, it will take years or decades for new trees to reach their full potential for capturing and storing carbon. The same is true of other natural climate solutions, such as altered soil management practices. This delay could halve the potential benefits of natural climate solutions between now and 2050, according to a new analysis released this fall.

“Everyone knows this delay exists, but it is not well accounted for in estimates of the potential of natural climate solutions.

And that means we risk dramatically

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The analysis identified three factors in the delayed benefits of natural climate solutions. Time lags in the extent and intensity of climate benefits are inherent— results of the time it takes for new practices to spread, trees to be planted and grow, or ecosystems to stabilize after restoration. But a third cause of delayed benefits is simply delayed action; the longer we wait to start, the longer it will take to see results. Far from being an argument against natural climate solutions, the authors say this means we need to take action now.

Forests in the public spotlight Tree planting as climate policy gained national attention this year, propelled by President Donald Trump’s announcement at the World Economic Forum that the U.S. would join the Trillion Trees Initiative. However, the political discourse around forests and climate change has been tied up with debates—often riddled with misinformation and misconceptions— about the appropriate balance between harvesting and reforestation, and the carbon footprint of burning wood for energy.

European Union rules wrongly treat the use of woody biomass for electricity generation as carbon-neutral, leading to increasing pressure on American forests, particularly in the southeast.

Some states, like Massachusetts, have also considered adding woody biomass to their definitions of renewable energy.

Woodwell has sought to bring science to bear on these issues. On the state, national and international levels, Woodwell has opposed attempts to expand use of woody biomass for electricity generation. Part of the problem is that clearing forests releases carbon from soils, and that soil carbon storage may not recover for decades, according to a recent study by Dr. Sanderman and colleagues.

“Proponents of burning wood argue that the greenhouse gas emissions will be offset by future forest regrowth, but that takes decades—if it happens at all. That’s not good enough to control climate change,” said Woodwell President Dr. Phil Duffy. The EU has now announced it will reconsider its woody biomass incentives.

In October, President Trump followed up on his February announcement, signing an executive order joining the global Trillion Trees Initiative. However, his administration has continued to block or roll back measures to limit fossil fuel emissions. “The most aggressive natural solutions climate plan isn’t going to keep up with emissions, so if you don’t stop emissions, you haven’t begun to address the problem,” said Dr. Duffy.

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Howland Forest research A lasting Woodwell legacy Miles Grant Director of Publications & Media Relations

A one-square-mile plot of Maine’s vast, old-growth woods known as Howland Forest has become the site of one of the world’s longest-running scientific studies of how climate change and trees interact—and Woodwell Climate Research Center researchers have been there from the start.

The research at Howland Forest has highlighted one aspect of the carbon cycle that we don’t fully understand yet—how carbon absorption by trees changes as they grow and age. Previous theory held that trees grew fast and stored a lot of carbon when they were younger, then gradually stored less and less with passing years. But Howland’s trees, many of which are hundreds of years old, are absorbing carbon at rates higher than would have been predicted.

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The beginnings of a scientific heritage

Ancient Giants In the years since the studies at Howland Forest began, scientists have taken core samples of the trees and have been astounded to find many are hundreds of years old. One randomly selected yellow birch was found to be at least 363 years old.

How have some of these birch, red spruce, and eastern hemlock survived so long over just a thin layer of cool, damp soil? It’s a case of slow and steady winning the race. The oldest trees aren’t the largest—they’ve bided their time under the canopy for decades or centuries, watching white pines grow fast and fall hard. The information stored in their rings— and even in their stumps, which rot very slowly—has been a bounty for years of scientific study.

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In the late 1980s, Drs. George M. Woodwell and Richard A. Houghton recognized the need to measure the exchange of carbon dioxide between land and the atmosphere. The two had been successful in “using measurements of carbon dioxide in air to make what were probably the first appraisals of respiration of a forest,” recalled Dr. Woodwell. “So it was understandable that I was interested in seeing the further development of those measurements, especially simple monitoring of air over time.”

Coincidentally, researchers at the University of Maine in Orono were working on similar issues at Howland Forest, part of a large tract in central Maine owned by the International

Paper Company. The company had established an “experimental woods” and was running a project through the University to determine the length of time it would take to regrow a harvested forest. Dr. Woodwell found support for the Center to join with UMaine in measuring the respiration of the forest, and in the fall of 1989, Paul Lefebvre, then a young research assistant, began work at Howland.

A gifted technician, Lefebvre perfected a data logger to record carbon dioxide measurements. Every few months, he made the six-hour drive from Woods Hole to Howland. In the winter, when the bumpy dirt road to the Forest snowed over, Lefebvre would pull a sled carrying a 30-pound computer for an hour to reach the site.

Previous page: Woodwell scientist Kathleen Savage walks along a path in Howland Forest.

Above, left: Kathleen Savage’s automated trace gas flux chambers providing data in the wetland at Howland Forest.

Above, center: Woodwell scientists atop the instrument tower.

Above, right: Shawn Fraver (UMaine), Marcia Macedo, Dave Hollinger (US Forestry Service), Paul Lefebvre, and John Lee (UMaine) touring the mature forest at Howland in September 2019.

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“It was a beast. It was the only one we had that was portable at the time. It ran off one floppy disk and saved on the other,” remembered Lefebvre, still a scientist at Woodwell Climate Research Center. UMaine researchers would regularly download the carbon dioxide data and mail the precious disk back to Lefebvre.

“I loved it. I thought it was the most exotic thing in the world that I got to cross country ski in and collect the data off this tower,” said Lefebvre. “Once, I came out of the instrument shed and there were fresh bear tracks across my ski tracks. Not long after that, they forbade me from going out there on skis all by myself. UMaine got a snowmobile so someone could drive me out there and stay with me. It was safer, but I missed skiing.”

Changing with the times In the beginning, Lefebvre’s methods of measuring gases relied on collecting air samples. Today, scientists use eddy covariance, a technique to observe the exchange of gases considered the gold

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standard not just at Howland Forest but around the world. At the heart of the research site, a narrow 35-meter tower dotted with instruments rises above the forest canopy, relaying data to researchers in real-time.

Management of the Howland Forest project has since passed on to Woodwell Climate bio-geochemist Kathleen Savage, who joined the Center in the late 1990s. Savage and Lefebvre have spent countless hours measuring aspects of the forest and inventing new techniques for monitoring carbon stocks—amidst the moose, black bears, bobcats, and bald eagles that inhabit the forest.

In the early 2000s, an investor interested in logging bought the forest.

The coalition’s scientists became concerned about the fate of the research site and contacted the Northeast Wilderness Trust to seek a solution.

In 2007, the Trust raised $1 million to purchase the 550 acres of land, which ensured that Howland research would continue and the forest would be permanently protected.

Woodwell Climate’s work in Howland Forest continues to this day. The first tower to measure carbon exchange at Howland Forest has turned out to be one of the longest-running research towers in North America. Three more research towers were added, and in 1996 the forest became the first base site for the Department of Energy’s AmeriFlux Network. Howland Forest has been the focus of studies on acid rain, forest ecology, ecosystem modeling, nutrient cycling, and carbon sequestration—all critical components of climate change research.

GIVE

A legacy gift can help Woodwell Climate make an even greater impact in the fight against climate change for generations to come. Bequests, charitable gift annuities, and charitable remainder trusts combine your philanthropic interests with your financial needs and tax-planning strategies. Contact Beth Bagley at ebagley@woodwellclimate.org to learn more.

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Renowned research organization came from humble beginnings Miles Grant Director of Publications & Media Relations

What’s now Woodwell Climate Research Center started small, first in George and Katharine Woodwell’s basement, and then in rented office space at Fisher House in Woods Hole.

“The core conviction was that ecology required a free-standing research program, free from the competition of biomedicine, commercial interests, agricultural development, industrial ambitions, and political hegemony.

The focus should be global ecology in the age of global climatic disruption,” George Woodwell wrote of the Center’s beginnings on its 30th anniversary.

“Buoyed by common-sense Katharine, [staff and supporters built] an institution around a core of principles pried with persistence from insights into the structure and function of units we called ‘ecosystems.’”

Drs. Foster Brown, Richard “Skee” Houghton, and Kilaparti Ramakrishna were among the Center’s earliest hires.

Drs. Brown and Houghton are still on staff today. Dr. Ramakrishna went on to serve in a variety of roles with the U.N. and is currently Senior Advisor to the Executive Director at the Green Climate Fund.

“All the meetings included almost everyone. George would include everyone in the discussion and try to build consensus. It was not uncommon for staff meetings to run two hours,” said Dr. Houghton. “George talked through everything with Katharine, asking her advice on everything from presidential contacts to local letters to the editor. She was a steadying influence, as well as the institutional memory of the Center.”

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While the Center now has human resources, finance and development departments, Katharine served as administrator and ran much of the Center’s day-to-day operations. In the days before email, staff would receive Center updates from Katharine’s handdelivered printouts.

Scientist Paul Lefebvre joined the Center a few years after its founding. “I felt like I was taking a risk joining the Center because at the time it wasn’t a well-established organization and I didn’t expect to get hooked in. But the work was incredibly compelling, it felt like we were saving the world, and more than 30 years later, I’m still here,” said Lefebvre.

Among many other highlights over our 35year history, the Center led the establishment of the World Commission on Forests and Sustainable Development.

Drs. Houghton and Ramakrishna were part of the team of IPCC scientists that shared the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize.

And the Center was ranked as the world’s #1 climate change think tank by the International Center for Climate Governance four years in a row.

As the Center turns 35, with a large campus and 70-person staff in several countries, our world-leading research and education continues to grow, helping individuals, communities, and nations understand the realities of climate change, recognize the impact it is having everywhere on our planet, and embrace the urgent action needed to safeguard the future of life on Earth.

Previous page: Staff of WHRC in the late 1980s. Left to right are Tom Stone, Foster Brown, George Woodwell, Walter Matherly, Katharine Woodwell, and Skee Houghton.

Above: WHRC collaborator Leda Luz and visiting scholar Ivan Pires, third and fourth from left, working with colleagues in Acre, Brazil in 1990.

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New name, renewed commitment Miles Grant Director of Publications & Media Relations

After 35 years as Woods Hole Research Center, we have become the Woodwell Climate Research Center. This shift honors our visionary founder and provides a clear sense of the Center’s mission of advancing climate research and sciencebased solutions for the world’s environmental and economic challenges. Along with the new name, Woodwell Climate has unveiled a new logo mark and launched a new web platform.

The rebranding comes at a pivotal time both for the Center and for the world’s efforts to confront climate change. As fires have raged across the Amazon, American west, and Siberia; heat waves have gripped the Northern Hemisphere; and hurricane alley has seen a record surge of storms, Woodwell scientists

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have been leaders in interpreting the climate connections and helping guide policy prescriptions.

Our climate risk work with partners like McKinsey & Company and Wellington Management continues to deliver landmark science and actionable recommendations. During primary season, our scientists and policy specialists delivered briefings to several presidential campaigns. And our scientists continue to be key resources for journalists looking for climate analysis, with our experts featured on ABC News and in the Associated Press, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, and hundreds of other news sources.

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“I could not be more proud of the work we’ve done and the impacts that we’ve had as Woods Hole Research Center,” said president and executive director Dr. Philip Duffy in his address at the launch of the new identity. “But the simple fact that carbon dioxide continues to accumulate in the atmosphere means we need to do more, and we can do more. To do that, we need a name which is unique and which conveys that we work on the most important challenge facing humanity.”

Honoring our history The rebranding was the result of a deliberate, data-driven process that started nearly two years ago and involved hundreds of hours of work by members of Woodwell’s staff and board of directors. Working with Moth Design and 43,000 Feet, and in constant consultation with the full staff and board, the team conducted a thorough discovery process and recommended the name Woodwell Climate Research Center to more clearly communicate our focus on climate change, and to honor our founder, Dr. George Woodwell.

Celebrating our renewed mission On August 19th, the Woodwell Climate community celebrated the relaunch with an online event featuring an inspiring keynote by Christiana Figueres, former Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

“Woodwell Climate Research Center is recommitting and refocusing—and re-turbo-charging, if I may say so—your commitment to the growing number of stakeholders who want to be a very active part of the solution to climate change,” said Figueres. “Thank you for decades of scientific research. Thank you for championing bold, audacious action in the past—but emphasized even more for the future. And thank you for stepping up now, at this most critical junction for humankind.”

Dr. Woodwell founded the Center in 1985, envisioning an organization where top researchers would work to address the most important questions in environmental science, develop evidence-based solutions, and engage decision-makers across sectors of society. He has pioneered multiple areas of ecological research, and was one of the first to raise the alarm about climate change. His 1986 testimony before Congress outlined many impacts of climate change that were then hypothetical, but which have become realities. That testimony, and Dr. Woodwell’s career of connecting science and society, has inspired many of Woodwell Climate’s staff.

“It is truly astonishing to reread that testimony today something I’ve done more than once,” said Dr. Duffy. “There is no one who better embodies our values, our mission, and our passion. As we position this institution for its next phase of impact and success, it is ‘fitting and proper’ that we should rename it in honor of our founder, George Woodwell.”

A new look With the new name also comes a new visual identity. The Woodwell Climate logo is a curving edge that connotes both the Earth as seen from space, and the upslope of rising carbon emissions and global temperatures. The logo is complemented by a suite of redesigned newsletter, email, social media, and presentation templates. A new video and an updated website tell the story of our science—and scientists—in new and compelling ways.

“This striking mark conveys the global reach of our science and the urgency of the climate crisis,” said Chief Communications Officer Dr. Heather Goldstone. “This process has given us the tools we need to get our message across in the digital era.”

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The event was emceed by Board Chair Joseph J. Mueller and included remarks from Drs. Duffy and Woodwell, as well as messages of congratulations from friends of the Center, including Senator Ed Markey and Dr. André Guimarães, Executive Director of IPAM Amazônia.

“What we do now and in the next several years will determine our collective fate. We believe that this moment calls for an intentional re-commitment to the values and mission at our Center’s core,” said Mueller. “We are thrilled to announce that we will now be known as the Woodwell Climate Research Center, to honor Dr. George Woodwell’s long-standing vision for the Center, and to signify a promise and a call to action for that ethos to guide our work as we rise to meet the unprecedented challenges facing us at this critical period in our history.”

Visit us at WoodwellClimate.org.

Above, left: (l-r) Board of Directors Chair Joseph Mueller, Founder George Woodwell, and President and Executive Director Philip Duffy, cutting the ribbon on the Woodwell Climate Research Center frontsteps.

Above, right: Christiana Figueres, former Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, giving the keynote during the virtual launch event on August 19, 2020.

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WHRC publishes paper on the shifting climate in the Amazon and the resulting impact on forest biomass.

Dr. Phil Duffy joins NRDC experts to provide briefing to congressional staffers about climate impacts of burning woody biomass to produce electricity.

Dr. Phil Duffy and Spencer Glendon brief House Science Committee staff on nearterm climate risks.

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McKinsey & Co. releases CarbonNeutral Poland, a national decarbonization plan, with input from WHRC. Global carbon emissions for first half of 2020 drop record 8.8% due to pandemic restrictions.

WHRC resumes some on-campus and local field work in accordance with state COVID-19 rules.

UNFCCC announces postponement of this year’s climate negotiations, the “conference of the parties” (COP) originally scheduled for November.

WHRC closes campus due to COVID-19, days before state of MA orders closure of nonessential businesses.

Unprecedented fires begin in the Pantanal wetland in Mato Grosso, Brazil.

WHRC and IPAM Amazônia launch the first-ever Amazon Deforestation and Fire Outlook.

WHRC’s Dr. Anna Liljedahl is part of a team that identifies a landslide and tsunami risk created by a retreating glacier in Alaska. State and federal government officials become involved to protect nearby community.

JULY

OTPP joins partnership with Wellington Management, CalPERS and WHRC.

MAY

WHRC provides climate science briefings to presidential and congressional campaigns.

Republican presidential candidate Gov. Bill Weld visits campus for in-person climate change briefing.

MARCH

FEBRUARY

Woodwell and IPAM publish analysis suggesting fires in southern Amazon could double in warming climate.

All-time Arctic temperature record of 100.4º F set in Verkhoyansk, Siberia.

JUNE

McKinsey releases flagship Climate Risk and Response Report, based on science from WHRC. Larry Fink (CEO of the world’s largest investment firm) writes letter to investors and CEOs, raising the alarm about the risks of climate change.

APRIL

JANUARY

2020 : A year unlike any other

New study led by Polaris Project alumna and involving Woodwell’s Dr. Sue Natali shows carbon loss from permafrost thaw may be twice as high as previously thought.

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Woodwell publishes paper showing that the “worst case” CO2 emissions scenario (RCP 8.5) is the best match for assessing climate risk and impact by 2050.

Explosive wildfires set records in Colorado.

McKinsey & Co. releases Future of Asia report, with input from Woodwell.

SEPTEMBER

10% of Oregon’s population told to evacuate due to wildfires.

Fall 2020

Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) report on “Managing Climate Risk in the US Financial System” highlights systemic risks to US financial system from climate change. Report is led by Bob Litterman, who soon joins Woodwell’s board of directors.

NOVEMBER

NASA and NOAA announce that September was the warmest September on record.

United States exits the Paris agreement.

Recommendations on “Revamping Federal Climate Science” from the Center for American Progress are delivered to the Biden Transition Team, with contributions from Phil Duffy and John Holdren.

Joseph Biden wins the U.S. presidential election.

Tropical storms in the Atlantic set single-season records for most named storms (30) and most storms (12) making landfall in the US.

Woodwell supports Mock COP26, a virtual, international youth conference highlighting the message that ambitious climate action cannot wait for the end of the pandemic.

Woodwell delivers first reports on climate-driven flood risk directly to local governments.

Commenting on California wildfires, Phil Duffy earns New York Times Quotation of the Day: ‘This is not the new normal; it is going to get worse.’

Arctic sea ice reached second lowest minimum on record. Woodwell publishes study linking stalled decline in sea ice minima, ironically, to warming processes.

DECEMBER

Lightning strikes spark record-breaking wildfires in California.

OCTOBER

AUGUST

WHRC changes name to Woodwell Climate Research Center.

For the first time since 1995, the parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) are not holding annual negotiations.

California wildfires set new record for area burned—4 million acres, more than double the previous record.

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Climate Risk program analyzes global hazards, provides community-level assessments Miles Grant Director of Publications & Media Relations

Over the past several years, Woodwell Climate Research Center’s Risk program has grown in partnership with key financial partners. Now, it is expanding to deliver that research to local governments and communities that are at risk from climate impacts.

This year, the McKinsey Global Institute released a report finding that physical

climate risks are present and growing, suggesting leaders must take climate hazard assessment into account and consider adaptation measures. Woodwell scientists produced much of the analyses of physical climate hazards for the report, which finds that absent adaptation and mitigation, their underrecognized “non-linear” characteristics could lead to large-scale socioeconomic effects. Our work includes not just data and analysis but mapping risk and vulnerability to make the work instantly understandable across a wide range of audiences. Over the summer, McKinsey released new reports taking deeper dives

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into climate impacts on Asia and global infrastructure.

Driven by these urgent threats, Woodwell scientists recently launched a new effort to deliver climate risk analysis to vulnerable communities. The first communities that were chosen for the work are Chelsea, Massachusetts, New Paltz, New York, and Decorah, Iowa.

The communities were selected because they are each at risk of climate driven flooding.

“Our research on climate risk has broad implications for financial markets and how they plan and invest, but we also want our work to influence community decisionmaking on the local level,” said Dr. Christopher Schwalm, Woodwell’s Risk Program Director. “Across a broad range of climate perils, the sooner we incorporate climate risk into how we do business, how we make policy, and how we plan for the future, the better off we will be.”

Also this year, McKinsey issued a report detailing how Poland can reach economy-wide carbon neutrality by 2050, and providing a roadmap for doing so. The report included research by Woodwell Climate scientist Dr. Wayne Walker on the substantial role Poland’s forests could play in capturing carbon emissions.

“Our work with McKinsey is tightly focused on providing actionable information,” said Dave McGlinchey,

Woodwell’s Chief of External Affairs. “By combining our world-class science with McKinsey’s extensive global network, we’re reaching the people who have the power to enact large-scale change. This kind of impact is critical for taking on climate change.”

Woodwell continues to partner with Wellington Management, one of the world’s largest independent investment management firms, which has launched a Climate 101 video series that features Woodwell science while explaining how climate change will impact capital markets. We also continue our work with the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS), which resulted in the first-ever guidelines for corporate disclosure of physical climate risk.

The Risk program is also developing a new project that will look at the intersection of projected climate impacts and global security issues. The team is partnering with security experts to better understand and predict how climate instability could drive conflict and humanitarian crises.

Left: A map showing the risk and extent of flooding (orange) possible in New Paltz, NY. / map by Carl Churchill

RECOMMEND

If you have a donor advised fund participating in DAF Direct, you can recommend grants to Woodwell Climate Research Center.

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Warming threatens keystone species of Arctic freshwater ecosystems Annabelle Johnston Communications Intern

The Arctic grayling is a freshwater fish known mostly for its good looks, but scientists know it as a keystone species—a single species capable of shaping an entire ecosystem. Their unique life history can make them the only fish species in many Arctic rivers and they provide important food to other predators and human populations.

Woodwell Climate Research Center scientists are working to understand how Arctic grayling are responding to climate change, and what that means for Arctic food webs.

The transportation of energy, nutrients, and organisms across ecosystem boundaries is critical to sustaining and increasing the productivity of these complex systems. Due to the scarcity of flowing streams and resources in the winter, the movement of nutrients from one habitat to another is particularly significant in the Arctic.

Harsh environmental conditions led species to develop finely tuned life histories, dependent on predictable climate patterns. However, because ecological communities are open and interconnected, changes to one habitat ripple and the threats posed by climate change compound.

The seasonal movements of Arctic grayling demonstrate this interdependence. In the summer months, Arctic grayling live in rivers— growing, reproducing, and raising young in this comparatively productive environment. In August, as the shallow streams begin to freeze solid, Arctic grayling migrate to lakes that do not freeze, overwintering among lake trout populations that depend on the annual

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influx of energy the grayling represent.

Seasonally, Arctic grayling provides an abundant and high quality food resource for lake trout populations that key into these migratory patterns. Lake trout are sustained by their ability to feed on grayling through the eight-month winter and are impacted by changes to grayling habitat and migration patterns.

deprives lake trout of that winter’s food.

In the long term, these changes can lead to a decline in grayling populations and starvation of lake trout.

“There is a strong imperative on both ends of the Arctic grayling migratory pattern,” said Woodwell Climate scientist Dr. Linda Deegan. “In the fall, grayling must leave shallow rivers to avoid the winter freeze. In the spring, they must leave deep lakes just as ice break up occurs to avoid a voracious predator, the lake trout.”

Arctic grayling are a highly prized recreational fly fishing species on the North Slope and used by Indigenous populations. Changes to their life cycle could have far reaching socioeconomic impacts for local communities that depend on the Arctic grayling for subsistence and on the income of visitors that fish for sport.

This life cycle is highly dependent on the flow of water between streams and lakes, and that is dependent upon climatic conditions that are changing rapidly.

Not only are temperatures rising but important weather patterns, including timing and amount of precipitation, are shifting. Lakes are thawing and high spring discharge is occurring earlier in the season, disrupting regular Arctic grayling migratory patterns and prompting an earlier release from lake habitats. With less rain in late summer, fish get trapped in dry stretches of streams, fail to make it back to the lakes for the winter, and die. Immediately, this

As climate change threatens aquatic connectivity, understanding ecological links between stream and lake habitats is more pressing than ever.

“We hear a lot about changes in terrestrial ecosystems in the Arctic due to climate change,” said Deegan. “But freshwater ecosystems are also going through huge climate-driven changes right now too.”

To learn more about Arctic ecosystems, visit WoodwellClimate.org/Arctic.

Above: Dr. Heidi Golden, University of Connecticut, holds an Arctic grayling during 2019 field work with Woodwell scientists in Alaska.

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Growing the next generation of climate scientists Annabelle Johnston Communications Intern

As Woodwell Climate Research Center has evolved, former students have taken on new roles and leadership positions. The center is training - and learning from - the next generation of scientists through education programs that include undergraduates, graduate students, and research assistants from a diverse range of backgrounds. Education opportunities take a range of forms,

but are united in their student-driven approach and foundation in the impactoriented principles that underlie all of the Center’s research.

The Polaris Project was founded in 2008 by Drs. Robert Max Holmes and John Schade with the shared goals of advancing scientific understanding of Arctic ecosystems, training the next generation of Arctic scientists, and communicating that science to the public. Prior to entering the field, undergraduate students accepted into

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the program undergo a series of virtual training sessions to practice transforming observations into questions to guide their subsequent research. Students read academic papers and familiarize themselves with the research process as they develop their own interests. Then, students travel to Alaska to conduct research in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta and return to Woods Hole to conduct two weeks of data processing at the Woodwell Climate campus.

A student-centered approach underlies the program from start to finish.

“I’m there to support and train the students, not conduct my own research,” said Project Director Dr. Sue Natali. Each year, all students lead a presentation of their research at the American Geophysical Union conference, and the program produces a few student-led or co-authored journal articles.

While COVID-19 forced a revamping of this year’s Polaris Project to be primarily online, this cohort of students is being offered a chance to participate in the field expedition to Alaska when travel can resume. Natali also developed a small pilot mentorship initiative that paired students applying for the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program with past recipients. She hopes to

expand the initiative in coming years to support students applying to a range of graduate programs. The success rate for fellowships of past Polaris participants has been significantly higher than the national average, in part because of the mentoring students receive, the students’ research experiences, and the overall leadership strengths of the students who participate in this program.

However, training scientists requires more than providing data analysis tools.

The Polaris Project teaches students to conduct research that values and respects local and Indigenous peoples whose land they work on, following guidelines and principles outlined by Polaris alumna Darcy Peter.

“We want to create an inclusive scientific community,” said Natali. “Now, we’re providing students with opportunities to learn from the writings of Indigenous knowledge holders. We’re asking them to think critically about the human impact of both climate change and the work we do.”

To further foster a diverse scientific community, Woodwell Climate is a member of the Diversity Advisory Committee, which runs the Woods Hole Partnership Education Program (PEP).

PEP was founded in 2009 to address underrepresented minorities in the sciences, and has hosted over 150 college students across the six participating Woods Hole research facilities.

Understanding human impact is also at the core of the Solaris Program, a joint initiative of Woodwell Climate and its partner in Brazil, the Amazon Environmental Research Institute

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(IPAM Amazônia). The Solaris Program provides training and support for individuals from a range of backgrounds to develop the expertise and skills needed to address the significant conservation challenges facing Brazil’s Amazon and Cerrado (savanna) regions.

It immerses Brazilian, US, and other international students in ecological field research at Tanguro Research Station—a working ranch in Brazil’s Mato Grasso state on the frontier of mechanized agriculture and diverse tropical rainforest. The program has also engaged journalists in this research through intensive field “boot camps” designed to train environmental reporters on the collection, analysis, and interpretation of environmental data. It has also experimented with a Summer Policy Institute, which pairs policy students from the US and Brazil to conduct targeted environmental policy analyses in collaboration with relevant governmental agencies.

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Former Solaris student Dr. Divino Silverio worked closely on the ground with Woodwell Climate scientists before receiving a grant to conduct research at the Massachusetts campus in 2013.

“The opportunity to work with people from the Center connected my research to larger systems. I was working with water experts and scientists with experience in remote sensing and data modeling, and had the opportunity to expand my collaboration networks to include scientists around the world.”

Silverio’s experience is not isolated.

“By training students from the region, Solaris has been able to build capacity locally. Many students stay in the region over the long term, contributing not only to science but also to training the next generation in regional universities,” noted Woodwell scientist and Water Program Director Dr. Marcia Macedo.

Solaris students often bring unique perspectives to their research, as many have worked with small farmers and large producers before. “We learn so much from our students—many already have a deep understanding of the landscape and an intuition for how it’s changing,” added Macedo.

In addition to formalized education projects, Woodwell Climate supports research assistants in their pursuit of higher education, allowing them to eventually lead their own research

projects. The goal of the education program, Dr. Linda Deegan explained, is to provide emerging scientists with the resources and support to find and pursue their interests. Some research assistants take their experience to other research institutions after acquiring their degrees, some return to Woodwell, and a select few never leave.

Hillary Sullivan worked as a research assistant with Dr. Linda Deegan on the TIDE Project for a few years before deciding to pursue a Ph.D. “I wanted more autonomy in the research questions I asked,” Sullivan explained.

“I’m really lucky to be able to work and go to school at the same time.”

Similarly, Dr. Scott Zolkos worked as a research assistant with Drs. Max Holmes and Scott Goetz prior to his graduate studies. Through this experience, Zolkos was exposed to different ways of examining Arctic and Earth systems, which led him to a string of questions that eventually informed his own doctoral research.

“Our program is grounded in real world issues and immersed in the science to solve those issues from the start. There’s not one ladder that everyone must go up, starting at the same place and ending at the same place. Our program is tailored to our students’ interests, where they want to go and what they want to do,” said Deegan.

Left: Polaris Project 2019 students during field research in Alaska.

Above: Divino Silverio, harnessed and ready to climb the flux tower at Tanguro Ranch. / photo

by Paulo Brando

DONATE

A gift of appreciated stock or other assets allows you to claim a charitable deduction on the full market value — with no capital gains tax on the appreciation. The donation you make and the deduction you receive are greater than they would be if you were to sell the shares and donate the cash proceeds. Reach out to Leslie Kolterman at lkolterman@woodwellclimate.org to find out how.

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Fund for Climate Solutions awards innovative science, continues growth Miles Grant Director of Publications & Media Relations

When it comes to solving climate change, cutting-edge science can’t wait. Two years ago, Woodwell Climate Research Center, through the generosity of many contributors, launched a pilot project to help our scientists spend less time writing fundraising proposals and more time doing groundbreaking research. The Fund for Climate Solutions surpassed two major milestones in the fall of 2020, Above left: A small team of Woodwell scientists deploying a monitoring tower in Alaska’s YukonKuskokwim Delta, fall 2019. / photo by Chris Linder

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awarding nine new projects—the most ever in a single round—and exceeding $3 million in projects funded to date.

The Fund was established in late 2017 to accelerate innovative, solutionsfocused research that may be difficult to fund through other avenues. Funding enables Woodwell Climate researchers to extend or augment crucial research initiatives, seed new projects that offer breakthrough policy or scientific impact, or get pilot projects off the ground to show proof of concept work for outside funding opportunities.

Over its first two years, the Fund has awarded 27 grants to climate science research, supporting a diverse array of projects across all five of the Center’s program areas. The most recent round includes a global assessment of forests’ capacity for continued carbon accumulation, an examination of climate-related security threats in nuclear states, and a study of climate change impacts on Chinook salmon aimed at supporting local Alaskan communities who rely on them for food and income.

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We are deeply grateful for the generosity of those who have contributed to the Campaign for the Fund for Climate Solutions since the campaign’s launch in 2018. Your leadership has enabled us to achieve more than 50% of our fundraising goal of $10 million and has funded 27 research grants to date. $1,000,000 Harbourton Foundation

$500,000–$999,999 Christopher and Lisa Kaneb Wilhelm Merck and Nonie Brady Quadrature Climate Foundation Joseph and Marité Robinson

$100,000–$499,999 Iris and Robert Fanger Michael Fanger and Linda Sattel Goldberg Family Foundation Jerry and Margaretta Hausman Shalin Liu Victoria Lowell Connie and Ted Roosevelt Douglas and Barbara Williamson

$50,000–$99,999 Steve Bernier and Constance Messmer Stuart Goode and Nancy Cooley Susan Gray William and Margot Moomaw Georgia and John Nassikas Joseph and Eileen Mueller

$25,000–$49,999 John and Mollie Byrnes Joshua Byrnes Peter and Valerie Byrnes Phil Duffy and Lauren Lempert Duffy Gail and Roy Greenwald Jeremy Oppenheim William and Rosemary Pisano

$10,000–$24,999 Diane and Scott Falconer Tod and Beth Hynes Yale and Shanti Jones Karen and Sam Lambert R.J. and Leslie Lyman

$5,000–$9,999 Tom Lovejoy Tedd and Ella Saunders George and Katharine Woodwell

$1,000–$4,999 Lily Rice Hsia Kathy Kretman Merloyd Lawrence and John Myers John Le Coq Stephanie Tomasky and Mitchell Cohen Richard Wilson

$250–$999 John and Patricia Adams Steve Curwood and Jennifer Stevens Curwood David and Betsy Hawkins

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“Our goal is to have the funding for our scientists so that they can spend their time doing scientific research and not inefficiently chasing money,” said Joseph J. Mueller, chair of the Woodwell Board of Directors and co-chair of the Campaign for the Fund for Climate Solutions. “The Fund enables our climate scientists to immediately conduct research needed to better understand the disruptions to our natural systems that are occurring, the implications of these disruptions, and to recommend public and private policies to assist in mitigating the disruptions and/or having to adapt to the disruptions.”

An early award from the Fund for Climate Solutions helped Woodwell scientists establish multiple permanent monitoring structures at observation sites in Alaska’s Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, measuring carbon uptake by plants and emissions from plants and soils, including from thawing permafrost, sending real-time data via satellite back to Woodwell’s Falmouth campus.

“When Woodwell scientists identified a need to monitor greenhouse gas emissions from thawing permafrost in the Arctic, we were able to make a Fund for Climate Solutions grant for a monitoring station and get it set up within months,” said Connie Roosevelt, vice chair of the Woodwell Board of Directors and co-chair of the Campaign for the Fund for Climate Solutions. “Not only is that data critical for global carbon budgets, but that success helped launch Woodwell’s Arctic Carbon partnership with Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center, supported by the Moore Foundation.”

The Arctic Carbon program is just one example of how the Fund for Climate Solutions catalyzes early-stage research that Woodwell Climate scientists can leverage to obtain large scale external funding. In another case, a pilot project on restoration of cranberry bogs to native habitat, led by senior scientist Dr. Chris Neill, generated preliminary data

used to secure $10 million in federal funding for a much larger restoration initiative. The full-scale project is a partnership involving more than a dozen organizations working together to restore 900 acres of wetlands.

The Fund also fosters innovative, new ideas and high-risk, high-reward research that other granting agencies may be hesitant to support. Dr. Jennifer Francis’ groundbreaking research on the relationship between rapid Arctic warming and extreme weather in the mid-latitudes has always challenged prevailing wisdom. Her latest Fund for Climate Solutions award supports efforts to examine whether there has been an increase in whiplash events—abrupt transitions between opposing extremes, such as heat waves and cold spells, or flooding and drought.

“The Fund for Climate Solutions has allowed me to explore new ideas and approaches to my research on how climate change is turbo-charging extreme weather,” said Dr. Francis.

“Unlike traditional funding sources, which can take years to pin down, I was able to move quickly on these exciting new projects.”

With the rapidly escalating impacts of climate change, the need to be nimble and immediately embrace new, high-impact opportunities to mitigate or adapt to climate change is more urgent than ever. To date, through the generosity of many contributors, we have raised over $5.5 million toward our $10 million goal for the Fund for Climate Solutions. The Fund plays an essential role in Woodwell’s ability to fuel bold actions that will have impacts on preserving planet Earth for generations to come.

SUPPORT

To learn more about how to support the Fund for Climate Solutions, contact Leslie Kolterman, Woodwell’s Chief Development Officer, at lkolterman@woodwellclimate.org.

27

Annual Report 2019–2020

28

Climate Science for Change

Fall 2020

ANNUAL REPORT

Welcoming new board members Christina DeConcini, Esq., Esq. oversees legislative work and strategy on climate change and energy issues as Director of Government Affairs at the World Resources Institute (WRI) in Washington, DC. An attorney and advocate, she leads WRI in engagement with businesses to pursue climate policy in the US. She also leads WRI’s US climate impacts work and resiliency work. DeConcini speaks frequently on these issues in a number of forums.

Dr. Gail Greenwald is an active seed-level investor and experienced senior executive with more than 25 years’ experience in management of technology-based organizations. Her main focus as an angel investor is on clean/ renewable energy, sustainability, and energy efficiency. Greenwald serves on a number of boards and advisory groups including the Launchpad Venture Group, as board chair of the Sierra Club Foundation, and the MIT Climate Action Advisory Committee.

Mr. Roger Kranenburg serves as Vice President, Strategy and Policy at Eversource Energy where he is responsible for developing longterm clean energy strategy and policies along with implementing transportation electrification and battery storage initiatives.

Previously, he was with IHS Markit advising top electric utilities and power sector owners/operators and suppliers globally on sector transformation, investment, and operations. Earlier in his career, Kranenburg led strategy in the areas of supply and taxation at the Edison Electric Institute where he was instrumental in the passage of the Energy Policy Act of 2005.

Dr. Robert Litterman is the Chair of the Risk Committee at Kepos Capital LP. Prior to joining Kepos in 2010, Litterman enjoyed a 23year career at Goldman, Sachs & Co. where he served in research, risk management, investments, and thought leadership roles.

Fall 2020

Climate Science for Change

He is the co-developer of the Black-Litterman Global Asset Allocation Model, a key tool in investment management.

Litterman serves on a number of boards, including the Sloan Foundation and World Wildlife Fund. He also currently serves as the chair of the CFTC Climate-Related Market Risk Subcommittee.

Dr. Daniel Reifsnyder currently is an adjunct professor at the University of Virginia’s Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy. He also serves on the external advisory board of the Congo Basin Institute. Reifsnyder spent over 40 years in Federal Service, most recently at the Department of State, where he was Deputy Assistant Secretary for Environment. In 2015, he co-chaired the U.N. negotiations that led to the Paris Agreement on climate change.

Dr. Mary Evelyn Tucker is considered a pioneer in the field of religion and ecology. A Senior Lecturer and Research Scholar at Yale University, she has appointments in the School of Forestry and Environmental Studies as well as the Divinity School and the Department of Religious Studies. She directs the Forum on Religion and Ecology with her husband, Dr. John Grim, which recognizes that religions need to be in dialogue with other disciplines in seeking comprehensive solutions to both global and local environmental problems.

Dr. Cyrus Wadia is the Head of Sustainable Product at Amazon.

There, he leads a team to grow customer demand and product selection for items that embody the highest industry-wide standard on environmental impact. Prior to joining Amazon, Wadia was Vice President, Sustainable Business & Innovation for Nike. He also served in the Obama Administration as an Assistant Director in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy from 2010 to 2015 where he introduced new budgetary and legislative initiatives in energy, climate, advanced materials innovation, manufacturing, and mining.

29

ANNUAL REPORT

Board of Directors CHAIR

Joseph J. Mueller Community Leader, Conservationist VICE CHAIR

Constance R. Roosevelt Conservationist TREASURER

Michael J. Fanger Founder, Managing Member, and President, Eastern Funding, LLC CLERK

Victoria H. Lowell Community Leader, Conservationist MEMBERS

Stephen T. Curwood Executive Producer & Host, Living on Earth, Public Radio International Christina DeConcini, Esq. Director of Government Affairs, World Resources Institute Philip B. Duffy President and Executive Director, Woodwell Climate Research Center

R.J. Lyman Member, Cornelia Hall Company Senior Fellow, Niskanen Center William R. Moomaw Professor Emeritus, Tufts University, Center for International Environment and Resource Policy, Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy Georgia Chafee Nassikas Artist, Conservationist Jeremy M. Oppenheim Founder and Managing Partner, SystemiQ William C. Pisano Vice President Emeritus, Stantec Glenn T. Prickett President and CEO, World Environment Center

Diane C. Falconer Environmentalist, Marketing Professional, Artist

Daniel A. Reifsnyder Adjunct Professor, Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, University of Virginia

Marc E. Goldberg Co-Founder and Managing Partner, BioVentures Investors

Stephanie N. Tomasky Independent Film Producer, Director, Writer

C. Gail Greenwald Cleantech Investor André Guimarães Executive Director, IPAM Amazônia David G. Hawkins Director, Climate Center, Natural Resources Defense Council Thomas J. Hynes III Founder and Chief Strategy Officer, XL Fleet Roger Kranenburg Vice President, Strategy and Policy, Eversource Energy John L. Le Coq Founder & CEO, Fishpond, Inc. Robert B. Litterman Founding Partner, Kepos Capital LP

30

Thomas E. Lovejoy Senior Fellow, United Nations Foundation, and Professor, College of Science, George Mason University

Mary Evelyn Tucker Senior Lecturer and Research Scholar, Yale University Cyrus Wadia Head of Sustainable Product, Amazon HONORARY DIRECTORS

John H. Adams Anita W. Brewer-Siljehølm Neal A. Brown John Cantlon Iris Fanger Stuart Goode Joel Horn Lily Rice Hsia Lawrence S. Huntington Karen C. Lambert Merloyd Ludington Mary Louise Montgomery Gilman Ordway Amy H. Regan Gordon W. Russell Ross Sandler Tedd Saunders James G. Speth Robert G. Stanton M.S. Swaminathan FOUNDER

George M. Woodwell

Mr. Joseph Mueller, Woodwell’s New Board Chair It has been an honor to serve on the Board of Trustees of the Woodwell Climate Research Center for the past four years, and I am energized to serve as its chair. I joined the Board of Woodwell Climate because it is a unique organization that not only is conducting groundbreaking climate science research in the Arctic, the Amazon, Central Africa, and New England, but which also endeavors to utilize the findings from this research to influence public and private climate-related policies. I believe this is critical work to ensure our planet is safe for our children and our grandchildren in the decades ahead.

I have the highest regard for my fellow Board members, the leadership of the Center, namely Dr. Phil Duffy, and all of the scientists, research assistants, and administrative staff who are extraordinarily dedicated to achieving the mission of Woodwell Climate Research Center.

Climate Science for Change

Fall 2020

Staff PRESIDENT AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Philip B. Duffy, Ph.D. DEPUTY DIRECTOR

Robert Max Holmes, Ph.D. SENIOR ADVISOR TO THE PRESIDENT

John P. Holdren, Ph.D. CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

Heather M. H. Goldstone, Ph.D. CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

Leslie Kolterman, M.A.T. CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Camille Romano, M.S., C.P.A. CHIEF OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

David McGlinchey, J.D. SCIENCE STAFF

Alessandro Baccini, Ph.D. Alice Besterman, Ph.D. Richard Birdsey, Ph.D. I. Foster Brown, Ph.D. Arden Burrell, Ph.D.

Glenn K. Bush, Ph.D. Monica Caparas, B.S. Andréa D. Castanho, Ph.D. Carl Churchill, M.A.S. Michael T. Coe, Ph.D. Shree Dangal, Ph.D. Linda A. Deegan, Ph.D. Gabriel Duran, B.S. Dominick Dusseau, M.A. Mary Farina, M.A. Gregory J. Fiske, M.S. Jennifer Francis, Ph.D. Darcy Glenn, M.S. Spencer Glendon, Ph.D. Seth Gorelik, M.S. Richard A. Houghton, Ph.D. Paul A. Lefebvre, M.A. Anna Liljedahl, Ph.D. Erin MacDonald, M.Sc. Marcia N. Macedo, Ph.D. Susan M. Natali, Ph.D. Christopher Neill, Ph.D. Darcy L. Peter, B.S.

Rafe Pomerance, B.A. Stefano Potter, M.S. Anastasia Pulak, B.A. Ludmila Rattis, Ph.D. Charlotte Rivard, B.S. Isabelle Runde, B.S. Brendan M. Rogers, Ph.D. Jonathan Sanderman, Ph.D. Kathleen Savage, M.Sc. Christopher R. Schwalm, Ph.D. Lindsay G. Scott, M.S. Tatiana Shestakova, Ph.D. Hillary L. Sullivan, M.S. Anya Suslova, M.Sc. Rachel Treharne, Ph.D. Anna Virkkala, Ph.D. Wayne S. Walker, Ph.D. Melissa Ward Jones, Ph.D. Jennifer D. Watts, Ph.D. Hailey Webb, B.S. Joseph Zambo Zachary Zobel, Ph.D. Scott Zolkos, Ph.D.

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

Elizabeth H. Bagley, B.A. Natalie Baillargeon Tracy Barquinero, M.S. Paula C. Beckerle, B.A. Kelly Benway, B.B.A. Beth Brazil, M.A. Florence Carlowicz, B.A. Amy Chadburn, B.A. Nichole Chapman, B.A. Shauna Conley, B.S. Hilary Davis, B.A. Lee Davis, B.A. Jacqueline Ducharme, B.S. Annalisa Eisen Miles Grant, B.S. Madeleine Holland, M.S. Wendy Kingerlee, B.S. Emily Marshall, B.B.A. Fred Palmer Amanda E.W. Poston, B.A. Alison Smart, B.F.A. Julianne Waite, B.A.

President’s Council The President’s Council is a non-governing group of loyal friends who contribute their time and expertise to provide advice and counsel to the Center’s President and staff on a variety of strategic, programmatic, and managerial topics. We thank them for their support.

Warren Adams Boston, MA

N. Stuart Harris Boston, MA

Kathy Kretman Washington, DC

Rob Stenson Falmouth, MA

Spencer Adler New York, NY

Berl Hartman Cambridge, MA

Wilhelm Merck South Hamilton, MA

Eric Stoermer Falmouth, MA

Steven Berkenfeld New York, NY

David Hoover Plymouth, MA

Pamela Murphy Chevy Chase, MD

Gen. Gordon Sullivan Falmouth, MA

Steve Bernier Vineyard Haven, MA

J.A. (Woody) Ives Lexington & Barnstable, MA

Joseph Robinson Coral Gables, FL

Daniel Webb Falmouth, MA

Joanna & Stuart Brown Telluride, CO

Joy Jacobson Arlington, VA

Theodore Roosevelt V Brooklyn, NY

Bonni Widdoes Boston & Edgartown, MA

Jim Cabot Boston, MA

Shanti & Yale Jones Ranchos de Taos, NM

Kate Schafer San Jose, CA

Stash Wislocki Telluride, CO

Alan Greenglass, MD Newark, DE

Amelia Koch Brookline, MA

Peter Stein Hanover, NH

Zaurie Zimmerman Lexington, MA

Fall 2020

Climate Science for Change

31

ANNUAL REPORT

Statement of activities

2019/2020

SUPPORT AND REVENUE

EXPENSES

Foundations and Individuals (68%) Other Income (4%) Contract Revenue (10%) US Government (18%)

Research Programs (66%) Development & Fundraising (12%) General & Administrative (22%)

WITHOUT DONOR RESTRICTIONS

WITH DONOR RESTRICTIONS TEMPORARY PERPETUAL

TOTAL 2020

TOTAL 2019

75,200 -

$ 2,793,888 10,740,852 1,558,711 482,137 160,274 (5,387) 22,193 -

$ 3,796,809 5,863,045 1,338,978 621,137 117,218 11,233 84,448 -

SUPPORT AND REVENUE Contributions, grants, and contracts U.S. Government Foundations and other Contract revenue Investment income Donated equipment Change in value of split-interest agreements Other income Net assets released from restrictions

Total support and revenue

$

3,921,441 1,558,711 181,192 160,274 (5,387) 22,193 4,694,648

$ 2,793,888 6,744,211 300,945 (4,694,648)

$

10,533,072

5,144,396

75,200

15,752,668

11,832,868

7,398,416 2,430,467 1,399,317

-

-

7,398,416 2,430,467 1,399,317

7,553,619 2,354,046 1,094,554

11,228,200

-

-

11,228,200

11,002,219

(695,128)

5,144,396

75,200

4,524,468

830,649

10,577,787

4,474,414

3,693,079

18,751,280

17,920,631

$ 9,882,659

$ 9,618,810

$ 3,774,279

$ 23,275,748

$ 18,751,280

EXPENSES Research programs General and administrative Development and fundraising

Total expenses

CHANGE IN NET ASSETS NET ASSETS Beginning of year End of year

32

Climate Science for Change

Fall 2020

Statement of financial position Fiscal year 2020 highlights COVID-19 restrictions impacted our work and finances this year. After three strong quarters, travel and field work came to a hard stop in Q4. We experienced a sizable decrease in Total Support and Revenue because of the slowdown, resulting in an operating deficit for the first time in several years.

We pursued multiple avenues to minimize disruptions, including negotiating with some of our funders to extend deadlines and adjust deliverables as needed. We also received a Paycheck Protection Plan loan that allowed us to retain our staff through Q4 of FY20 and into FY2021. The fiscal year closed with the Center receiving an unmodified audit opinion with no findings or questioned costs from the external audit firm of Calibre CPA Group.

ASSETS Current Assets Cash and cash equivalents U.S. Government contributions receivable Other contributions, grants, contracts receivable Prepaid expenses and other receivables

$ 9,896,120 321,702 2,591,493 236,420

$ 6,162,886 458,577 977,318 157,292

13,045,735

7,756,073

7,061,933 1,341,773

6,889,910 888,066

8,403,706

7,777,976

5,067,728

5,343,789

262,413 212,651 12,678

483,107 212,651 13,744

487,742

709,502

$ 27,004,911

$ 21,587,340

Investments Endowment and quasi-endowment investments Other investments Net property and equipment Other assets Other contributions receivable, net of current portion Beneficial interest in real estate trust assets Bond proceeds held in trust for debt retirement Total other assets Total assets

LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS Current liabilities Accounts payable Accrued expenses Refundable advances Deferred contract revenue Liability under charitable gift annuities Loan payable Total current liabilities Long-term liabilities Liability under charitable gift annuities, net Loans payable, net of current portion Total liabilities Net assets Without donor restrictions Operating Board designated endowment Board designated for Fund for Climate Solutions Net investment in property and equipment Total net assets without donor restrictions

With donor restrictions Temporary restrictions Perpetual restrictions Total net assets with donor restrictions Total net assets Total liabilities and net assets

Climate Science for Change

2019

Total investments assets

Full financial statements are available at: woodwellclimate.org/financials

Fall 2020

2020

Total current assets

The Center’s financial position is still strong, and we are positioned to navigate the unprecedented uncertainty that continues as we enter 2021. Our total net assets increased by $4.5M while our total liabilities have increased by $1.1M. To ensure our continued financial security, we are making increased investments in Development and Communications, while minimizing or delaying other spending as needed.

Camille M. Romano Chief Financial Officer

2019/2020

$

255,090 563,938 9,687 318,493 8,164 114,192

$

370,004 454,904 277 576,861 5,289 114,192

1,269,564

1,478,527

101,218 2,358,381

90,746 1,266,787

3,729,163

2,836,060

3,765,413 1,802,488 500,000 3,814,758

4,298,745 1,802,488 500,000 3,976,554

9,882,659

10,577,787

9,618,810 3,774,279

4,474,414 3,699,079

13,393,089

8,173,493

23,275,748

18,751,280

$ 27,004,911

$ 21,587,340

33

ANNUAL REPORT

Donors We are deeply grateful to the individuals, foundations and companies listed on the following pages who supported Woodwell Climate Research Center with gifts, new pledges and pledge payments during the Center’s fiscal year July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020. We are committed to accurately listing every gift. If we have made an error, or if you have a question about your gift listing, please contact Paula Beckerle at pbeckerle@woodwellclimate.org or at 508-444-1521. $2,000,000+ Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation

$1,000,000–$1,999,999 Anonymous (1) Foundation for the Carolinas Kristie Miller Quadrature Climate Foundation Ruth McCormick Tankersley Charitable Trust Fred and Alice Stanback

$500,000–$999,999 Christopher and Lisa Kaneb Wilhelm Merck and Nonie Brady

$250,000–$499,999 Anonymous (1) Harbourton Foundation

$100,000–$249,999 Anonymous (1) Charles R. O’Malley Charitable Lead Trust Stuart and Joanna Brown Estate of June Clase Jerry and Margaretta Hausman Heising-Simons Foundation J. Atwood and Elizabeth Ives Shalin Liu Victoria Lowell Charles Stewart Mott Foundation Gilman and Margaret Ordway The David and Lucile Packard Foundation Amy and Jay Regan W.L. Lyons Brown, Jr. Charitable Foundation

$50,000–$99,999 Anonymous (2) Caldwell Foundation Michael Fanger and Linda Sattel Gen Next Foundation Susan Gray

Benjamin and Ruth Hammett The Hermann Foundation Joseph and Eileen Mueller One Earth Connie and Ted Roosevelt

$25,000–$49,999 Anonymous (1) Garrett Albright ARIA Foundation Barbara Bowman Anita Brewer-Siljeholm Essex County Community Foundation Diane and Scott Falconer Iris and Robert Fanger Ida and Robert Gordon Family Foundation, Inc. Roberta Gordon and Richard Greenberg The Grantham Foundation for the Protection of the Environment Gail and Roy Greenwald Greenwald Family Foundation David Hoover and Carol Swenson David Lovins and Elly Huber MF Bartol Charitable Giving Fund William and Margot Moomaw Georgia and John Nassikas Robert Stenson and Kate Stenson-Lunt Joanna Sturm

$10,000–$24,999 Sam and Kathy Awad Steve Bernier and Constance Messmer Cogan Family Foundation Jonathan and Louise Davis Michael and Dudley Del Balso Peter and Jennifer Francis Stuart Goode and Nancy Cooley Serena Hatch

GIVE

Our name has changed, our Tax ID# remains the same: 04-3005094 Checks to either Woodwell Climate Research Center or Woods Hole Research Center are accepted.

Gifts may be made online at woodwellclimate.org/give, by mail, by phone with your credit card, or by wire or ACH. Please contact Paula Beckerle at pbeckerle@woodwellclimate.org for wire transfer details.

34

Timothy and Joan Ingraham Yale and Shanti Jones Monique Liuzzi Gary and Karen Martin Katharine E. Merck Pamela and Byrne Murphy Doe Family Foundation Patagonia Inc. Giving Program Robert and Pamela Pelletreau Alan and Margaret Ranford Richard and Nancy Robbins George and Katharine Woodwell

$5,000–$9,999 Anonymous (2) Matthew and Brooke Barzun Jonathan Chatinover and Elizabeth O’Connor ClimateWorks Foundation Karen Cove Gordon and Wendy Cromwell Craig Davis Nina and Casper de Clercq Nancy Faulkner Michael and Elizabeth Foley Foley and Foley, LLC Alan and Fran Greenglass Thomas and Virginia Gregg Frank Hanenberger Art and Eloise Hodges Ivor Cornman and Margaret E. Cornman Fund J.M. Kaplan Fund Philip and Catherine Korsant Karen and Sam Lambert Bill and Noelle Locke Losman Fund William Lunt and Mary Waterman The Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation Joseph and Allison Mueller William and Rosemary Pisano Leo Prone and Cynthia Moor Renaissance Charitable Foundation Pat Riley Richard and Linda Semels Bonnie Simon Frederica Valois Zaurie Zimmerman and Craig Le Clair

$1,000–$4,999 Anonynous (2) Siamak and Joan Adibi Audrey and Henry Levin Fund of FJC

Don and Dee Aukamp Michael and Margherita Baldwin Patricia Barron Beauport Financial’s Richard D. Wilson Community Response Gift Fund Anthony Bernhardt Sylvia Blake John Boyle John and Nancy Braitmayer Robin Briggs David Brown and Nawrie Meigs Brown Archer Bush* Caithness Foundation, Inc. Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank Foundation Carl Forstmann Memorial Foundation Virginia Carter Cashdan/Stein Great Grandmother Fund of The Vermont Community Foundation Jim Clemans Climate Ride, Inc. Louis and Bonnie Cohen Eben and Claire Corbiere Molly N. Cornell Michael and Marcia Corrigan Bruce and Lee Davis Christina DeConcini and James Sweeney Robert and Sylvia Dickinson Eugene and Nina Doggett Robert and Evelyn Doran Philip Duffy and Lauren Lempert Duffy Frank Dunau and Amy Davis Paul Elias and Marie Lossky Dorothea Endicott Richard and Catherine Fay Michael and Darlinda Fleitz Geoffrey Freeman and Marjorie Findlay George H. Lusk Trust Timothy and Mary Helen Goldsmith Jane Hallowell William and Susanne Hallstein Peter and Karen Hargraves Edwin and Ellen Harley Lynn Harrison and Barbara Hazard Whitney and Elizabeth Hatch Bayard and Julie Henry R. Max and Gabrielle Holmes Richard and Susan Houghton

Climate Science for Change

Fall 2020

Lily Rice Hsia Brad and Andrea Hubbard Nelson Tod and Beth Hynes David Isenberg and Paula Blumenthal Benjamin Ives and Sarah Morrison Joy Jacobson and Gerald Warburg William and Holly James Betsy Jewett and Rick Gill Raymond and Lola Johnson Frank and Judith Kauffman

Richard and Suzanne Kayne Christopher and Susan Klem Amelia Koch Kathy Kretman John Le Coq Carl and Joanne Leaman Sebastian Lederer David and Dana Lee Legends Bracelets Stephen and Sigi Lindo Jim and Caroline Lloyd Thomas Lovejoy Stephen Lyle R.J. and Leslie Lyman Cynthia Mackay Laurence and Katherine Madin Bill Maffie Marvin and Annette Lee Foundation Mass Cultural Council Brian and Anne Mazar Kevin McCroary Leah Miller Don Law and Sara Molyneaux

Fall 2020

Climate Science for Change

Mary Louise and Charles Montgomery William and Sue Morrill Annie Morris Christopher Neill and Linda Deegan Network for Good Abigail Norman George Oleyer and Susan Wall Thomas and Jill Pappas Erica Pelletreau Joan Person

Eugene and Diana Pinover Jacqueline Potus Glenn and Lisa Prickett Mark and Eleanor Robinson Gordon Russell and Bettina McAdoo Elizabeth Sayman Ron Schafer Stanley and Barbara Schantz Robert Shatten and Jessica Langsam Thomas and Heidi Sikina Nancy Soulette Richard and Joanne Spillane Eric Stoermer and Amy Nevala Susan and Edward Epes Charitable Fund John Swope Gerard* and Mary Swope Mark Walsh Scott Wayne Daniel and Mary Webb James and Theresa Whitmore Douglas and Barbara Williamson Ned and Patricia Wright

$500–$999 Anonymous (1) John Abrams Carla Alani Robert and Alison Ament Baird Foundation Charles and Christina Bascom Martha Bennett Jacob and Barbara Brown Burton & Suzanne Rubin Foundation Michael and Kris Caplin Kurt and Mary Cerulli Brian Church Bonnie Clendenning Combined Jewish Philanthropies Cornell University Foundation Mark and Jackie Curley Sanders and Ann Davies Elyse DeGroot Lawrence and Regina DelVecchio Barbara Duffy Thomas and Diane Esselman Delia Flynn Ken Foreman and Anne Giblin Dorothy Fulgoni Paul Glendon Charles and Ethel Hamann Albert and April Hamel Stuart Harris and Malinda Polk Robert and Heather Harrison John Heyl Weston and Susanah Howland Ambrose and Anna Jearld Jules Kaufman and Ann MacDougall Patrick Kent Scott Kleberg Bryce Legg Lifethread Institute / Nautilus Book Awards Joanna Lowell Liqian Ma Kai and Marion Marcucelli John and Rebecca Markley Dana and Eileen Miskell Garrett and Mary Moran Jill Neubauer Mark Obrinsky and Michelle Gehshan Elizabeth & Frank Odell Family Fund of the Community Foundation of Collier County Jeffrey and Julie Parker Robert Petersen Jerry* and Sheila Place Linda Polishuk Lawrence Pratt and Melinda Hall David and Laurie Reed Suzanne Rubin Malcolm Rynne William and Rebecca Sawyer

Jennifer Schloming Allan and Judith Sherman South Mountain Company Foundation Campbell Steward Noah and Janet Totten Margaret Evans Tuten Foundation Alex and Landis Van Alen Richard Verney Wichita Falls Area Community Foundation - John Hirschi Donor Advised David and Julianne Worrell Ronald Zweig and Christina Rawley*

$250–$499 Anonymous (1) Amazon Smile George and Elizabeth Bagley The Benjamin Family Kathleen Biggins Frank and Mardi Bowles Emily Bramhall Bradford Butman Anamaria Camargo Lynne Cherry Richard Cowett Harry and Marie Cromwell Hubert and Frances de Lacvivier John and Gail Densler Donald and Anita Dickinson DiLorenzo and Garceau Fund of Bank of America Charitable Patricia Donahue Julian Draz Paul and Anne Ehrlich Douglas Evans and Sarah Cogan Susan Fisher Kent Forkner Michael and MC Garfield Margaret Gifford David and Betsy Hawkins Kurt and Ruthann* Hellfach Gordon and Carol Henley Rod Hinkle and Kirstin Moritz Julian Hinsch Alan and Judith Hoffman Rush Holt and Margaret Lancefield John and Molly Hooper Richard Hough Virginia Johnson Anna Jones Barbara Woll Jones Alexander and Nada Jovanovic Dennis and Joanne Keith Leslie and John Kolterman Ken and Gussie McKusick Lawrence and Ginette Langer Elizabeth Listerman Nilah MacDonald

Above: During the spring and summer, Woodwell hosted the Kaneb Webinar Series, featuring Woodwell scientists and guests. Recordings of the thirteen webinars are found at youtube.com/woodwellclimateresearchcenter.

35

ANNUAL REPORT

36

Jonathan and Jane Meigs Peter and Sara Merrill Angela Hart Morris Susan G. Morse Jeffrey Parker Jack and Christine Phenix Roger and Serra May Plourde Robert Powel Rex Pratt and Diane McMahon Pratt Robert and Sally Prendergast

John and Carolyn Stremlau Caren Sturges Fredrica Harris Thompsett David Todd Jane Weingarten Robert and Marilyn Werner George and Alice Wislocki Eric Wolman Peter Zika and Elizabeth Gould Timm and Cate Zolkos

Robert Prescott Jonathan Prudhomme Elisabeth Raleigh Richard Raushenbush and Barbara Giuffre Robert and Betsy Reece Kennedy and Susan Richardson Margaret E. Richardson Jamie Adam Rome and Leila Mankarious Rome Christopher and Roddy Roosevelt Nicholas and Sueanne Rorick David and Edith Ross Damien Scott and Tessa Nichols Peter Sinclaire Daniel and Maxine Singer Lionel and Vivian Spiro Thomas and Ann Stone

$100–$249 Donald and Barbara Abt Levi and Jeanne Adams Catherine Allard Lawrence Altman and Janet Barsy Suzanne Apellaniz Christopher and Eleanor Armstrong Ellie and Rich Armstrong Duncan and Dorothy Aspinwall Corine Atkins David and Nancy Babin Denise Backus Paul and Annette Bakstran Beau Fund David and Laurie Barrett John and Linda Bowers Chris Brothers Jerry and Celia Brown

Cynthia Bucken David Byrne and Rosemary Loring John and Irene Cantlon John and Rhona Carlton Foss John and Helaine Carroll Justin Chien Frank and Julia Child David and Virginia Clarendon Tucker Clark Charles and Catherine Cleland Dean and Cindy Conway Nathaniel Coolidge Charles Cooper and Sarah Bysshe John and Barbara Cotnam Arthur and Mary Cox Copenhaver Cumpston Kathleen Dalzell Murray and Judith Danforth Dexter and Jean Dawes Tammy Dayton Philip and Tina deNormandie Gregory Devine Linda DeYoung Jim Diverio Joseph and Grace Donahue Paul Dreyer Margaret Duffy Martin Dugan Jon Durell Jerome* and Barbara Fanger David Fanger and Martin Wechsler Lynne Farlow Jacqueline Farmer Thelma Fenster Philip Fine and Beverly Holley Joseph and Carol Finn Gordon Fitzgerald Judith Fox F. Thomas Fudala A. Mark Gabriele Barbara Gaffron Nancy Gibbons Susan Gibbs Elizabeth Gladfelter Serge Golden and Mary McCabe Golden Marc and Carol Gordon Peter Gradoni Huson Gregory Lorraine Gyauch Antoine and Sandra Hadamard Timothy Hagan Daniel and Caroline Hamlin Stanley and Elaine Harlow George Helmholz Frances Henry and Walter Korzec John and Olivann Hobbie Larry Holt and Elizabeth Whelan Wendy Holup Alan Houghton and Sky Pape Nick and Mary Hubbard David and Clara Hulburt Mark Hurwitz Frances Huxley Greg and Anne Islan

Robert Jonas and Margaret Bullitt Jonas James Jump Josef and Emily Kellndorfer Stuart Kendall and BeeBee Horowitz Sandra Kinet Leslie Kramer Howard and Carole Kuenzler Calvin and Ilene Kunin John and Diana Lamb Patricia Lamoureux Linda Lancaster Marjorie Lange Lawrence and Hannah Langsam Catherine Lastavica Harold Laudien Kira Lawrence and Catherine Riihimaki Dennis Lebwohl and Debra Michlewitz Bennet and Maria Leon Edwin and Judith Leonard H. David and Patricia Leslie Ron Liebis and Mary Dritsas Douglas and Kim Livolsi Whitney and Phillip Long Ned Lopata Allen Luke Peter A. Tassia and Maija M. Lutz San Lyman Cameron and Susana Mackey David and Maryann Mahood Michael Martin John Mashey and Angela Hey Michael and Joan Mastromonaco Robert Matthew Frances McClennen Clifford and Rebecca McCue Alice McDowell Andrea McGlinchey Francis and Kathleen McIntosh Jay McLauchlan Cornelia McMurtrie Scott McNamara and Krista Hennessy Chris and Lorraine Mehl Maryellen Meleca and Christine Graziano Robin Milburn Elizabeth Molodovsky David and Marilyn Moore Yvette Morrill Ken and Laura Morse Day and Kathie Mount Colin Mueller Michael and Michele Nathan John Noel Charlotte Noerdlinger Robert Ohlerking Nancy L. Olsen Carol O’Neil John and Karen O’Neil Jill Park Richard Payne and Deborah Siegal Julie Peller

Climate Science for Change

Fall 2020

Bernhard Peucker-Ehrenbrink and Petra Ehrenbrink Tom Pike and Lys McLaughlin Susan Playfair Christopher and Pamela Polloni Allan and Kit Prager David Prosten and Sarah Flynn Robert Ralls and Sherrie Burson Susan Rau Cary and Nancy Rea Ann Robinson Sue Robinson James and Dianne Roderick Daniel Rodrigues Camille Romano and Mark Kasprzyk Elisa Romano Bob and Gabriela Romanow Charles Ruch Rebecca Russell Neil Sampson Daniel and Joanne Shively Carolyn Silvia Clifford Slayman Jonathan Smith and Rosella Campion Lee Smith and Kristine Herrick Robert and Mary Smith Susan Smith Gus and Cameron Speth St. Christopher’s Church Kenneth Stasney Edward and Ann Stern Tom and Judy Stetson Sarah Stewart Wesley and Patricia Stimpson Michael Stone Bridget Swanke Julia Taylor The DHS Program ICF Penny and Ted Thomas Fund of the Princeton Area Community Foundation, Inc. Walter and Nancy Thompson David Trimble Brian Tucker and Marie Jo Fremont Ivan and Virginia Valiela Carolynn Van Dyke and Ann Carter Keith von der Heydt and Terry McKee Vortex Systems LLC Stephen and Carol Ann Wagner Grant and Jean Walker Marian Ware Gordon Waring and Patricia Gerrior

Deborah Warner Diana Weatherby Irwin Weisbrot Christine Weisiger Thomas Wilkinson S. Jeffress Williams and Rebecca Upton Donald Wixon and Lori Lawrence Colleen Wood John Woodwell and Marie Hull

$1–$99 Anonymous (2) Margaret Adlum Philip Alatalo and Heather Shepley Robert and Helen Alsop Luean Anthony Adriana Aquino Rebecca Atwood Paula Bacon Joan Balfour Karel Baloun John Banner B. Lynne Barbee D. Miles Barnard Marilee Bass Paula C. Beckerle Ronald and Carol Beyna Jean Paul Bourque Peter Bowman David and Diana Brassard Eric Hauck and Beth Brazil Hauck Charles and Helen Bresnahan Gerard Brown Tom and Kitty Brown Ray Buchan Willy Burgess Megan Shea Burton Alan and Joyce Bush William and Helga Butler Alexander Campbell Brenda Campbell Michael Cannell Mark and Kathleen Cariddi Rory Carvalho Donald Cecich and Gail Fenske James Thomas Chirurg Andrew Cimino Peter Clark and Ellen Barol Jonathan and Susanna Cobb Joseph and Allison Cocuzzo Sarah Cocuzzo Bruce Cohen Ellen Coldren Jeffrey and Heather Collins

Above left: This summer, Paul Lefebvre and Marcia Macedo (pictured) and Kathleen Savage took to local wetlands on Cape Cod to test floating flux chambers that enable researchers to measure the exchange of carbon dioxide between air and water.

Above right: In December 2019, Dr. Wayne Walker attended the COP25 United Nations climate change meetings in Madrid, with an eye toward highlighting the climate mitigation value of tropical forests. Dr. Walker spoke at two official side events, alongside Woodwell Climate’s longstanding partners IPAM, COICA, and FAN Bolivia.

Fall 2020

Climate Science for Change

Peter and Edna Collom Susanna Colloredo Mansfeld Steve Connors Lawrence Creedon Dennis and Sandra Cuny Jim Dahlem Elinor Danker Paul and Maria De Weer John and Carol DeBraal Francis and Carol DeYoung Jonathan and Heather DiPaolo Toni Dove Angelyn Dries Frank Duffy Allan and Linda Dunn Stanley Edh Janine Elliott Stephen Day Ellis Carolyn Fine and Jeremiah Friedman Sally Fine Harvey Fishman Charles and Maryanna Foskett Margaret Foster Lois Fournier Richard Fox Willard and Constance Galliart Gary and Karen Gaskin Elaine Goldman Jonathan and Nicole Goldman John and Therese Goodchild Leon and Deborah Gove Nicholas Guanciale Robert and Virginia Guaraldi James Henderer James and Lorna Henderer

David and Joan Herschfeld Charlene Herzer Jean Hodgin Marianne Horn D. Jay Hyman Nada Hyman Lynn Jackson Stanley and Dee Jacobs Michael and Rachel Jakuba Michael Janovsky D. Randolph Johnson Joyce Johnson Susan Johnson Anthony and Elisabeth Jones Floyd Judd Josh Judson Richard Kacik Joan and Kammire Aldona Kasper Whitney and Fred Keen Kevin and Stephanie Kennedy Alan and Joan Kirk Charlotte Knox Donna Kuroda Bruce and Alex Lancaster Susan Larson Randy and MJ Lauderdale Chip and Gayle Lawrence Sally M. Lawton Adrienne A. Leaf Vicki LeFevre William Lehman Carolyn Leiby William and Louise Lidicker Frances Lightsom Tessa Lineaweaver

DONATE

Turn your old gas-guzzler into a climate change solution. Vehicle donations are tax deductible and provide tremendous benefit to Woodwell Climate. It’s more than cars – you can donate trucks, boats, planes, motorcycles, and RVs too, running or not. Contact Paula Beckerle at pbeckerle@woodwellclimate.org to start the process.

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ANNUAL REPORT Bruce and Lorraine Luchner Louise Luckenbill Mark Ludwig Dean Lundgren John Malarkey and Pauline O’Leary Charles and Susanne Mann Philip Mann Linda Matheson William and Kristina Matsch Edmund E. McCann Victor and Ruth McElheny Patrick McEvoy Matthew McGuire David and Barbara McPhelim Amy Merrill Herbert and Patricia Messenger Susan Miller and Lee Kramer Barbara Miner Rose Minior Emily Minus Donald and Janet Moller Allan and Maria Moniz David Morreale Carolyn Moulton Colleen Mullen Doug Munson Allen Myers Marcy Woodwell Neilson Harry Newell John and Maureen Nolan Paul O’Brien Sarah Oliver Vicki Otis Florence Pape Fredric Parsons E. Donald and Joanne Patterson PayPal Giving Fund Thoru and Judith Pederson Shannon Peters Warren and Kathleen Pinches Scott and Brandy Ann Place Marilyn Planny Henry Pope Jerry and Barbara Porter William Porter Gloria Potts Joan Power Stevan Power Lem Powers Grover and Courtney Price Robert Quigley Ronald Rauber Ruthann Richards Peter Riffley Thomas Riley Mary Ring Michael and Marjorie Roache Alison A. Robb Sydney Roberts Rockefeller Peter and Jane Roda Edward and Wendy Rose Marc Rosenbaum and Jill De La Hunt Nicholas Rossettos Catherine Rossi

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Jenny Russell Philip Sacks R. Keith and Susan Salisbury James Saret and Barbara Brandt Saret Murali and Jody Sastry Judith Savage Frank Schaer Daniel and Paula Schiller Raymond Schmitt and Nancy Copley Carol Schwamb Michael and Amy Shaw Max Shen Vivian Sinder Brown David Slote Grace Solomon Tom Anderson and Jennifer Stamp Wallace and Pamela Stark Frank Stasio Elizabeth Steel Molly Stichter Debra Stone Jay and Ruth Sugerman Jacek and Margaret Sulanowski Maureen Sullivan Joan Swanson Charles and Nancy Syverson Michael Testa Edmond Thompson Edward and Elizabeth Thorndike T Mobile Richard and Marney Toole Bruce and Elaine Tripp Brenda Troup C. Ryan Troutmam Leo Tugan Baranovsky Michael Tylick David and Jodi Utter Vanguard Charitable Sylvia Vatuk

Martha Vinick John and Jane Vose Rachel Walker Mary J. Walsh Kerry Walton Dorothy Wass Matt Watson Lewis Weinfeld Andreas Wesserle Allison Brewster White Joan Wickersham Devin Wiekhorst Roland and Nancy Wigley Elizabeth Wilkinson Cyara and Marina Gresham Benjamin and Ann Williamson Thomas and Patricia Willis Margaret Woodruff Wyoming Climate Activists Ellen Wyttenbach Deborah Yorke Dick Zajchowski and Celia Brown Louise Zawadzki Michael Zimmermann Alexander and Judith Ziss * Denotes deceased donor

Matching Gift Organizations Apple Baird Foundation Colgate-Palmolive Draper Ford Foundation Microsoft Pfizer Prudential Financial Incorporated Silicon Valley Bank Vanguard

George Perkins Marsh Society The Society recognizes forwardthinking friends who support the Center’s long-term success through a life income gift, annuity, life insurance policy, or bequest. The Society honors the legacy of George Perkins Marsh, a 19th century scholar, diplomat and naturalist known to many as America’s first environmentalist. His book, Man and Nature, published in 1864, sparked the establishment of forest reserves and the national forest system. It is still widely considered a pivotal text in the founding of the conservationist and environmental movements.

SOCIETY MEMBERS

Dolores Arond Sharon Bidwell Dale Bryan Denny Emory Iris and Robert Fanger Scott Goetz and Nadine Laporte Thomas and Virginia Gregg Peter and Karen Hargraves David Hoover and Carol Swenson Frank and Judith Kauffman Carl and Joanne Leaman Mary Lou and Charles Montgomery Elizabeth Moore Joan Person David and Edith Ross George and Katharine Woodwell IN MEMORIAM

Donald Bidwell, June Clase, Warren A. Felt, Martin Person

Climate Science for Change

Fall 2020

Gifts In Honor Of Carol Baitsell from Sarah Oliver I. Foster Brown from Dick Zajchowski and Celia Brown George and Yara Cadwalader from Benjamin and Ann Williamson Sarah Conway from Dean and Cindy Conway Gordon and Wendy Cromwell from Leah Miller

Kira Lawrence and Catherine Riihimaki from Chip and Gayle Lawrence Victoria Lowell from Michael and Dudley Del Balso Merloyd Ludington from Richard and Susan Houghton Dave McGlinchey from Andrea McGlinchey Wilhelm Merck from Mark and Eleanor Robinson

Laura Devenney from C. Ryan Troutmam

William Moomaw from Zaurie Zimmerman and Craig Le Clair

Philip Duffy from Jim Diverio, Robert Jonas and Margaret Bullitt Jonas

Jeffrey and Jacqueline Morby from Siamak and Joan Adibi

Iris and Robert Fanger from Richard and Susan Houghton, Susan Larson, Jane Weingarten Peter and Jennifer Francis from Wyoming Climate Activists Spencer Glendon and Lisa Tung from Susan Smith Michael Guanciale from Nicholas Guanciale Jonah, Marcia and our four Grandsons from William and Susanne Hallstein James M. Henderer from James Henderer

Joseph Mueller from Mark and Jackie Curley Georgia Chaffee Nassikas from Mark Gallogly and Lise Strickler, Mark and Eleanor Robinson In honor of the intrepid people working on the frontlines during the pandemic, thank you. from Georgia and John Nassikas Jeffrey Parker Dyan and Sadie Parker William and Rosemary Pisano from Jane and Mark Pisano, Terry and Maryanne Pisano

John and Cheryl Holdren from Kai and Marion Marcucelli

Sheila and Jerry* Place from Deborah Yorke, Maryellen Meleca and Christine Graziano

R. Max and Gabrielle Holmes from Kathleen Biggins

Scott and Brandy Ann Place from Sheila and Jerry* Place

Richard and Susan Houghton from Alan Houghton and Sky Pape

Amy and James Regan from Kathleen Dalzell, Richard and Susan Houghton

Lily Rice Hsia from Richard and Susan Houghton Rachel Marie Jones from Yale and Shanti Jones Maria and Ian Kirk from Sheila Place South Shore and Cape Chapter, Citizen’s Climate Lobby from Linda Lancaster Chip and Gayle Lawrence from Kira Lawrence Kira Lawrence from Carolynn Van Dyke and Ann Carter

Climate Science for Change

Leah, Moses and Taeko Thomson from Jeffrey Parker Sarah Twadell’s Bat Mitzvah from Suzanne Rubin Douglas Wagner from Harold Laudien Grant and Jean Walker, for work on stretch energy code in Falmouth! from Rachel Walker Allison Brewster White from Susan Gibbs George and Katharine Woodwell from Abigail Norman, Thomas and Ann Stone George Woodwell from David and Betsy Hawkins, John and Olivann Hobbie, Lily Rice Hsia and John Hsia, Rod Hinkle and Kirstin Moritz, Marcy Woodwell Neilson, John Noel, Gus and Cameron Speth Katharine Woodwell from Denise Backus Woodwell Climate and IPAM’s work in the Amazon from Joseph and Eileen Mueller Greg Worley from Edwin and Ellen Harley

Gifts in Memory Of Anna Agassiz Prince from Anna Jones Irene Avery from Elizabeth and George Bagley Gary Braasch from Lynne Cherry

Connie and Ted Roosevelt from Patricia Barron

Sara Brown from Matthew and Brooke Barzun

Layla & Jacqueline Sastry from Murali and Jody Sastry

Jessie Woodwell Bush from Archer Bush*, Jack and Christine Phenix

Galen, Maddie, Lauren, Andrew, Lindsey, Corrine from Jennifer Schloming

Virginia Chafee from Bryce Legg

Paul Englund from Rex Pratt and Diane McMahon Pratt Cameron Gifford from Margaret Gifford Phebe E. Houghton from Florence Pape John Richard Le Coq from Anonymous Alison Levine from Judith Savage Anthony Liuzzi from Monique Liuzzi Francis (Pete) Lowell from Peter Clark and Ellen Barol, Michael and Dudley Del Balso, Kent Forkner, Eben and Claire Corbiere, Daintree Advisors LLC, Jerome* and Barbara Fanger, Joanna Lowell, Vicky Lowell, Susan G. Morse, Jerry* and Sheila Place, Michael Tylick Weyman Ivan Lundquist from Jeffrey and Julie Parker, and the Taylor Unity Foundation William Mackey from Iris and Robert Fanger, Cornelia McMurtrie R. Wayne Mahood from David and Maryann Mahood Douglass Marlow from Linda DeYoung Charles Otis from Vicki Otis Sears Family from Nancy Olsen James Jackson Storrow from James and Theresa Whitmore Bill Watkins from Stanley and Elaine Harlow Lila W. Willingham from Cyara and Marina Gresham Charles Wyttenbach from Ellen Wyttenbach * Denotes deceased donor

Donald Wixon and Lori Lawrence from Burton Shank and Alison Whelan Wilson, Cathy, Colette and Adele Snyder from Alan and Judith Hoffman

Above: Woodwell Climate, IPAM Amazônia, and the Environmental Defense Fund have launched the CONSERV initiative to compensate rural farmers in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso for conserving Amazon forests. Here, Woodwell scientist Ludmilla Rattis talks with a local farmer.

Fall 2020

Thomas Stone from Ronald and Carol Beyna, Rod Hinkle and Kirstin Moritz, Debra Stone

DONATE

Are you 70 1/2 years of age or older with a traditional IRA? If so, you are eligible to make a tax-free donation directly to Woodwell Climate Research Center from your IRA—up to $100,000. To learn more, contact Leslie Kolterman at lkolterman@woodwellclimate.org, visit woodwellclimate.org, or consult your plan administrator.

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Climate Science for Change

Fall 2020

Your legacy can be a healthy planet Who was George Perkins Marsh?

Known to many as America’s first

A legacy gift comes from enthusiasm for an organization’s mission, for its people, for its accomplishments, or even from a sense of duty. On all accounts, we found common ground with the Woodwell Climate Research Center and chose to name it as a beneficiary in our estate planning. Working, learning, even traveling with so many of those similarly enthusiastic about the Center’s mission have been highlights for us over three decades.

How could we not join the George Perkins Marsh Society and make a commitment to Woodwell Climate’s future?

— Mary Lou & Charlie Montgomery, Walpole, NH

environmentalist, George Perkins Marsh (1801-1882) was a 19th century scholar, diplomat and naturalist.

His book, Man and Nature, sparked the Arbor Day movement, the establishment of forest reserves, and the national forest system. It is still widely considered a pivotal text in the founding of the conservationist and environmental movements. His legacy inspired our George Perkins Marsh Society, which offers lifetime membership to those who choose to include Woodwell Climate Research Center in their estate plans.

With the urgency of the climate crisis upon us, your commitment to sustaining our planet for future generations has never be more important. Good estate planning could enable you to make a larger charitable gift than you ever thought possible through a variety of giving options. In addition, you will enjoy membership in the George Perkins Marsh Society, which is offered to generous and forward-thinking donors who support Woodwell Climate’s long term success through a legacy gift. For more information or to request a brochure please contact Beth Bagley at ebagley@woodwellclimate.org.

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CLIMATE SCIENCE FOR CHANGE.