ATHENS, GA – The Institute for Resilient Infrastructure Systems at the University of Georgia will host one of the first public engagement events for the forthcoming National Nature Assessment (NNA1), a nationwide collaboration to better understand the role of nature in the lives of people across the country. This event, which will be held October 1st at UGA’s Flinchum’s Phoenix, aims to bring together interested parties to discuss the Zero-Order Draft (Chapter Annotated Outlines) of the assessment, raising awareness of the project and allowing opportunities for public comment as the author teams begin their work.
Led by the U.S. Global Change Research Program, the inaugural National Nature Assessment (NNA1) will evaluate U.S. lands, waters, wildlife, biodiversity, and their contributions to our economy, health, culture, climate and equity. The Zero-Order Draft is expected to be released for public comment this month and remain open throughout fall 2024. These free public engagement events will inform the content of the Assessment chapters and include information sharing, Q&A sessions, and collaborative round table discussions.
Dr. Todd Bridges, IRIS Associate Director of Public-Private Partnerships and College of Engineering Professor of Practice, was selected earlier this year to serve as one of eleven Chapter Leads, each of whom are paired with Federal Coordinating Lead Authors to direct the scope of the chapters.
“This first-ever assessment is exciting and important work,” Bridges said. “Nature supports the wellbeing of people, our communities, and is the foundation of our national economy. Developing and sharing information about the state of nature in the US, and our dependence upon nature, has implications for all of society and our future.”
Bridges’ team, which includes IRIS Director Dr. Brian Bledsoe, will author the chapter on “Nature and Risk, Resilience, and Security in the U.S.,” evaluating how nature contributes to and supports U.S. defense systems, technology, and infrastructure.
“Our chapter on ‘Nature and Risk, Resilience, and Security in the U.S.’ will address one aspect of our dependence [on nature],” Bridges continued. “How we steward our relationships with nature affects our physical safety and wellbeing, positively and negatively.”
The authorship teams are eager to hear from the public about key topics they’ve identified and the ways NNA1 can be a valuable, impactful resource for the country. “Please come and talk with us and share your ideas,” Bridges concluded.
The annotated draft of NNA1 will be available for public comment during fall 2024, with hopes to release a first draft in fall of 2025. Public engagement events are planned in Washington, D.C., Seattle, WA, San Francisco, CA, East Lansing, MI, and Athens, GA, with more in-person and virtual events to come. Read more about NNA1, how to offer public comment, and these events here.
