2024 State Science Policy Fellow Host Offices

Potential Host Offices

Three offices are seeking to host potential State Science Policy Fellows in 2024. These include:

• Office of the President, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science
• Office of the Secretary, Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Office of the President, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES)

Maryland is a leader in addressing climate change with a comprehensive program for mitigation and adaptation. The current goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 40% by 2030 and an intent for net zero by 2045. This goal is complemented by ongoing programs for coastal resilience, adaptation to more intense storms, more severe floods, extensive droughts and heat waves. These state-wide efforts are guided by the Maryland Commission on Climate Change (MCCC). The Science Policy Fellow will staff and participate in the MCCC Science and Technical Working Group meetings as well as attend MCCC meetings. The Fellow will be able to participate in any STWG activity that suits their background and professional interests.

The Science Policy Fellow, working with experts within the University System of Maryland and Second Nature, will lead the development of a report describing conceptual pathways for UMCES to achieve net zero. In addition, the Fellow will collaborate with experts across USM to develop recommendations for tracking progress, sharing knowledge across the USM institutions and documenting practices that could be adopted by other organizations in Maryland and beyond.

The Fellow will report to the President of UMCES who also serves as the Vice Chancellor for Sustainability within the University System of Maryland.  The successful candidate will be located at an UMCES unit and can often work remotely.

Office of the Secretary, Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR)

The Department of Natural Resources is a state leader in providing roadmaps to climate resilience through its technical and financial support to local governments and communities. Partnerships with other state agencies, federal funders, private sector, non-profits, and community organizations amplify these efforts and are critical for delivering comprehensive support to the people most affected by climate impacts. The Department focuses on nature-based solutions and recognizes that a comprehensive approach requires 1) spanning ecological and socio-economic considerations, 2) addressing both green and gray infrastructure strategies, 3) building upon existing implementation and partnership efforts, and 4) working closely at the community level to address locally driven goals. There are many efforts underway that need to be stitched together to create a comprehensive framework that will align existing efforts, attract new funding, and achieve landscape scale resilience.

This Fellowship will focus on advancing DNR’s climate resilience initiatives, including establishing climate adaptation goals, developing a Next Generation Adaptation Plan tracker, providing local government adaptation assistance, formalizing a community liaison program, and supporting adaptation policy change. This work will support the Maryland Commission on Climate Change’s Adaptation and Resiliency Working Group; Coast Smart Council; the Office of Resilience’s State Resilience Strategy; and be the foundation for working with a broad array of partners, local governments, and communities to achieve collaborative climate adaptation. DNR's office is located in Annapolis, MD.