VITAL COMMUNITIES
Upper Valley Adaptation Workgroup
Building climate-resilient communities in the Upper Valley
through collaboration, research, information sharing, education, and action.
Our Latest Events and Projects
Climate Partners Summit
On February 25, 2021, over 70 partners and citizens gathered virtually to consider how many organizations of all types are helping our region plan for and adapt to the effects of climate change.
Event Recording and Resources >
Climate Connections Lunch
Wednesday, March 24, Noon-1pm
FREE and open to the public
Bring your lunch and join us for casual, small group discussions on what we’re all doing to address climate change in the Upper Valley. Following an “Open Space” facilitation format, participants will propose topics at the start of the hour, then break out into groups to discuss and make connections. See you there!
Learn More and Register to Attend >
Climate Change
Leadership Academy
Program runs March 24 – June 16, 2021
2CLA is a six-session program aiming to educate, inspire, and prepare participants to take meaningful action on climate change mitigation and adaptation in their communities.
Learn More >
About UVAW
The Upper Valley Adaptation Workgroup (UVAW) is a bi-state, multi-stakeholder working group of leaders and partner organizations. Started in December 2011, the workgroup meets monthly to focus on building climate-resilient communities in the Upper Valley.
Our Working Definition of Climate Resiliency
Climate Resiliency is the ability of a community to anticipate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from climate impacts in a way that minimizes significant disruption to our lives and impacts on our shared resources. This includes our health, safety, built environment, food availability, natural resources, wildlife, and financial strength.
Climate change is not some distant problem – it is happening here and now in the Upper Valley. In recent years, we have seen climate disruptions affect our communities in the form of droughts, deluges, ice and hail storms, intense cold snaps, and sudden heat waves. We must recognize these increasingly frequent extreme weather events for what they are: our new normal.
Resources from our Spring 2019 Forum
Let’s Talk About Climate Change!
Effective strategies for productive conversations
Presentation Slides on Communicating about Climate Change
Resources recommended by presenter Christa Daniels, Ph.D. AICP from the Center for Climate Preparedness and Community Resilience at Antioch University New England.
Photos from our October 2018 Forum
Droughts and Downpours
Managing for Extremes
Attendees learn about rainwater infiltration from the NHDES Soak Up the Rain program
Attendees tour stormwater management systems at Hypertherm.
Stacey Chiocchio of Hyperthem demonstrates how the porous pavement absorbs rainwater
Three groups visit the various stormwater management systems at Hypertherm
John Rooney of Hypertherm leads a tour of stormwater management systems
A full house enjoys the presentation portion of the forum!
All photos from the Droughts and Downpours event were taken by volunteer photographer, Rob Strong. Thanks, Rob!
UVAW Members
Sherry Godlewski
NH Department of Environmental Services
sgodlewski@des.state.nh.us
Alice Ely
Public Health Council of the Upper Valley
alice.ely@uvpublichealth.org
Michael Simpson
Antioch University New England
msimpson@antioch.edu
Gregory Norman
Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center
gregory.a.norman@hitchcock.org
Alex Jaccaci
Hypertherm, UVAW Chair
alex.jaccaci@hypertherm.com
Kevin Geiger
Two Rivers Ottauquechee Regional Commission
kgeiger@trorc.org
Julia Griffin
Town of Hanover
julia.griffin@hanovernh.org
Lizann Peyton
Nonprofit Consultant
lizann.peyton@gmail.com
Sarah Brock
Vital Communities
sarah@vitalcommunities.org
Meghan Butts
Upper Valley Lake Sunapee Regional Planning Commission
mbutts@uvlsrpc.org
Mark Goodwin
City of Lebanon
mark.goodwin@lebcity.com
Rosi Kerr
Dartmouth College
rosalie.e.kerr@dartmouth.edu
Beth Sawin
Climate Interactive
esawin@climateinteractive.org
Lisa Wise
UNH Extension and NH Sea Grant
lisa.wise@unh.edu
Erich Osterberg
Dartmouth College, UVAW Vice Chair
erich.c.osterberg@dartmouth.edu
Jenny Levy
Hypertherm
jenny.levy@hypertherm.com
Cameron Wake
University of NH, Carbon Solutions New England
cameron.wake@unh.edu
Need to Contact Us?
Alex Jaccaci, UVAW Chair | alex.jaccaci@hypertherm.com
Erich Osterberg, UVAW Vice Chair | erich.c.osterberg@dartmouth.edu
Sarah Brock, administrative support for UVAW | sarah@vitalcommunities.org, 802-291-9100 x109