Advancing California’s Climate Goals Through Nature-Based Solutions
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Morse B105Morse Building
426 Van Buren St
Monterey, CA 93940 View in Campus Map
Free
Open to the Public
What role do nature-based solutions play in climate mitigation and adaptation for the State of California? We could ask no one better poised to address that question than Clesi Bennett.
Advancing California’s Climate Goals Through Nature-Based Solutions
Speaker: Clesi Bennett, Nature-Based Solutions Program Manager, California Natural Resources Agency
Thursday, October 16, 2025
6:00pm to 7:30pm Pacific Time
In-person event (recorded but not live-streamed)
Morse Building, Room B105
426 Van Buren Street, Monterey, CA 93940
About the Topic
This talk will cover the State of California’s climate mitigation and adaptation goals at a high-level and will then dive into the role that nature-based solutions play in achieving them, including California’s Nature-Based Solutions Climate Targets. Specific emphasis will be placed on those solutions and targets relevant to California’s ocean and coast, also referred to as “blue carbon” strategies. The talk will also cover professional development pathways at the State of California for students and soon-to-be graduates.
About the Speaker
Clesi manages the California Natural Resources Agency’s nature-based solutions policy portfolio, including the development and implementation of California’s Nature-Based Solutions Climate Targets, Climate Smart Lands Strategy, Climate Project Registry, and more. With eight years at the Agency and its departments, Clesi plays a key role in advancing interagency climate initiatives and developing policy grounded in both scientific research and community priorities.
Recommended Reading
- CALIFORNIA’S NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS CLIMATE TARGETS, AS REQUIRED BY ASSEMBLY BILL 1757 (2022, C. GARCIA), April 2024
Location: Morse Building, Room B105
The Morse Building is located at 426 Van Buren Street, Monterey, CA, 93940, on the campus of the Middlebury Institute of International Studies. The Morse building usually has flags hanging from it, and is located next to the MIIS Our Green Thumb garden. B105 is located toward the back of the building on the first floor. There is a wheelchair lift in the Holland courtyard, and stairs can be avoided by circling the back of the Holland Center and back to Morse. Restrooms are located in the Holland Center. View the campus map.
Parking
Parking is available in any Middlebury Institute campus lot after 5 p.m., no parking permit required, no fee. View the campus map. (be sure to not confuse city lots with campus lots—city lots do charge a fee). Free parking is also available on the street (time limits on surrounding streets end at 6 p.m.).
About the Host
The Center for the Blue Economy is a research center at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, that provides economic and policy analysis to support the development of a robust and equitable blue economy for the 21st century. The Center uses the World Bank’s definition of the Blue Economy: the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs, and ocean ecosystem health. We must maintain ocean health to maintain human health, economic health, and the health of the planet. Climate change is linked, inextricably, to a healthy ocean. Consider joining our movement for Ocean Climate Action Now. Consider joining our Center for the Blue Economy Newsletter List (3-4x per year by email).
Gratitude to Our Sponsors
We thank the Loker Hicks Foundation and the Nancy Eccles and Homer M. Hayward Family Foundation our sponsors.
Questions
Contact Rachel Christopherson at the Center for the Blue Economy at cbe@miis.edu or (831) 647-4183.