Audubon’s climate report, Survival by Degrees, tells us that climate change poses a grave threat to some of our favorite birds. But the science also tells us that we can protect 76% of climate-threatened birds by acting swiftly to reach net-zero emissions. Doing so will require major reductions in the emissions we’re pouring into the atmosphere, but we’ll also need to do more to help nature absorb the emissions we’ve already released. Audubon Washington is committed to both reducing and absorbing emissions, because our birds and our communities deserve a safe and healthy climate.

In 2019, we kicked off our Natural Climate Solutions campaign, with the goal of leveraging our state’s unique landscape to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, while also making important investments in rural communities. As part of this campaign, we helped to pass Sustainable Farms and Fields, a voluntary grant program that helps farmers adopt more carbon friendly practices. 

To build on that momentum, we recently hired a new field organizer, Susan Paulsen, to enhance our engagement with members and chapters in eastern Washington. As part of our campaign team, Susan will spend the next few months helping our chapters explore how they can better advocate for climate policies in their legislative districts.

Susan's journey to Audubon includes 20 plus years in science education focusing on environmental and geological studies. She has a passion for birds that has taken her to Australia to do research on bird species, as well as the Sierra Nevada mountains to mist-net and band warblers. She is currently a Ph.D. candidate working on her dissertation in STEM Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on the stages of concern individuals experience during a change process, a particularly relevant concept when discussing bird conservation and the need for change in climate policy. Susan lives in Sequim with her husband and dogs where they train for competitive dog sports and enjoy the Olympic trails.