Niagara Adapts<\/a> partnership in Brock\u2019s Environmental Sustainability Research Centre (ESRC).<\/p>\n\u201cIn a course entitled Climate Change Adaptation and Transformation, we completed the entire process of developing an adaptation plan for a municipality, from analyzing climate data to creating impact statements and adaption actions,\u201d says Burns. \u201cWe could choose any municipality we wanted to and I chose the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, funnily enough. When I applied to this job, I submitted that plan as part of my application.\u201d<\/p>\n
When Burns was hired in February, the municipality already had an approved Climate Change Adaptation Plan in place, one developed in coordination with the Niagara Adapts partnership.<\/p>\n
Her job now is to implement the activities outlined in the plan and track progress toward targets.<\/p>\n
She says the nature of climate change means there are inherent challenges to her work, such as coordinating with many stakeholders and finding ways to communicate effectively with different audiences.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut it also creates opportunities, too, for greater collaboration, stronger partnerships, and exploring how we can work together more effectively,\u201d says Burns. \u201cIt will be nice to start checking off action items, seeing tangible progress and contributing to making the community more resilient.\u201d<\/p>\n
In addition to renewable energy initiatives like increasing the use of electric and hybrid vehicles in the Town\u2019s fleet and considering additional vehicle charging stations, Burns is working on specific plans to address invasive species management and natural asset management. She addressed all these topics publicly at a recent community event organized by Seniors for Climate Niagara to celebrate Earth Day.<\/p>\n
Burns also returned to campus this week to represent Niagara-on-the-Lake at the Niagara Children\u2019s Water Festival, which welcomes grade four students from across the region.<\/p>\n
The full circle moment highlights Burns\u2019s journey, which started as a undergraduate student of Biological Sciences. She says courses in the ESRC\u2019s sustainability minor ignited her passion for the field and attracted her to the graduate program.<\/p>\n
She completed her graduate research on strategies for enhancing community science to promote environmental sustainability and worked for both Niagara Parks Commission and the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre before joining the team in Niagara-on-the-Lake.<\/p>\n
Burns says of her experience that an emphasis on putting theory into practice has been vital to her career in the sustainability field.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe ESRC staff and faculty always encouraged collaborative work and partnerships,\u201d says Burns. \u201cThey often took us into the field for experiential learning opportunities, which introduced a whole new set of practical skills and experiences beyond just theoretical work.\u201d<\/p>\n
Director of the ESRC Julia Baird says that Burns\u2019s local engagement is a testament to the community impact of sustainability research.<\/p>\n
\u201cKassie\u2019s experience highlights the benefits of community-engaged training offered through the ESRC\u2019s undergraduate minor and graduate programs,\u201d Baird says. \u201cWe are thrilled to see graduates go on to have meaningful impacts on sustainability in our communities.\u201d<\/p>\n