SMEA alumni, Olivia Zimmerman (’22) and Tanya (Eison) Pelach (’22), recently published a paper in Frontiers in Climate: “Addressing inequities and meeting needs of Indigenous communities in floodplain management” that emerged from their capstone with The Nature Conservancy.

This work examined the degree to which the Washington State Floodplains by Design (FbD) program met the needs of Washington Tribes. The research found that while FbD was meeting some needs, there were areas where it could better support Tribal communities and address inequities. Interviews with Tribal resource managers highlighted the importance of considering human-nature interconnectedness and the cultural significance of salmon in floodplain management. Tribal resource managers highlighted the need to prioritize land acquisition, adjust evaluation metrics, and support community-based and collaborative efforts to enhance equity in floodplain management.

Congratulations, Oliva and Tanya!