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Meet Daniel Cronan,  Assistant Professor School of Design and Construction, who has developed in response to these challenges an open-access, transboundary atlas as an innovative model for climate-informed decision making in biosphere regions and UNESCO Global Geoparks.

Conducted by the State University of New York, College of Environmental Science & Forestry (SUNY-ESF) and selected within the 3-year partnership between UNESCO and the abrdn Charitable Foundation, the project “An Atlas of Climate & Environmental Change for Champlain-Adirondack and Frontenac Arch Biosphere Networks” addresses the critical need to assess climate change impacts and facilitate strategic planning and stakeholder engagement in the region. 

“The CABN/FABN Atlas of Climate and Environmental Change was conceived with the primary goal of providing stakeholders and community members with a comprehensive platform for accessing and analysing data related to climate and environmental change within the Champlain-Adirondack Biosphere boundary,” Daniel tells us, explaining the idea behind this pioneering initiative.

“The data collected from educational centres and government agencies is assessed and analysed to understand the conditions within the Biosphere Reserve,” Daniel discloses. These features will support policymakers at local, regional, and national levels, alongside serving as a research tool for local students, stakeholders and interested citizens to better understand and care for their environment. 

The tool will be crucial for local community members, providing insights that can guide public meetings and aid community planning by identifying current conditions and areas that may become vulnerable to climate and environmental change. An app is also being developed to allow users in the community to add their data and build on current data sets.

“Central to the Atlas’ mission is its commitment to inclusivity,” Daniel clarifies. “The SUNY-ESF team has actively engaged with local communities ensuring that their voices shape the tools being developed.” The involvement of marginalised groups in the region has been prioritised. The focus on supporting local communities is vital, especially in the pursuit of highlighting the cultural significance of the area to stakeholders.

Future research intends to incorporate more input from these communities within the next iterations of planning and design of the Atlas to ensure that traditional indigenous and locally-based activities in the Biosphere Reserve, such as hunting, fishing, gathering and ceremonies, can continue to take place. Stressing their importance, Daniel and his team will equip decision-makers with the tools to understand land value in terms of cultural significance rather than monetary gain.

An essential aspect of the project is its educational component. “SUNY-ESF has been committed to raising awareness about environmental threats through educational workshops, events, and collaborations with influencers and ambassadors,” Kelly L. Cerialo, Associate Professor at Paul Smith’s College and CABN Co-Chair reveals. “By engaging young students, local citizens, government entities, non-profits, and the private sector, the team is fostering a deep understanding of the impact of climate change on our terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.”

In educating the community on environmental threats and sustainable solutions, it also empowers the local community to create changes in their daily life. Through a concept called ‘Deep Mapping’ – or enrichment of maps within an Atlas by engagement - community members can understand which areas may be more susceptible to climate change and/or other externalities associated with vulnerability. In addition to this, the Atlas supports landscape education through Museums and wildlife reserves and plays a role in educating children in local school districts. The objective is to help kids and their parents feel a sense of citizenship within their local interlocking ecosystems.

A trial workshop held during The Wild Center’s 'Youth Climate Connections Retreat' in July 2024, engaged young people with the sustainable urban planning and community-building aspects of the project. Following its successful outcome, the SUNY-ESF team aspires to run workshops to introduce the Atlas directly to communities and key stakeholders. Hosting educational workshops, ensures a deeper understanding, as a community, of natural capital management and climate resilience.

For Daniel, looking forward, the Atlas project is not only a critical tool for addressing the immediate environmental challenges faced by the Champlain-Adirondack Biosphere Reserve but also a vital example of how community-driven initiatives and cutting-edge technology can address the pressing challenges of climate change and create resilient sustainable ecosystems. 

By integrating advanced data platforms with a strong commitment to inclusivity and biophilic urbanism, the project sets a precedent for how diverse stakeholders can collaborate to foster sustainability in similar regions across the world. The success of this project will serve as a testament to the Champlain-Adirondack community and its inspiring dedication to environmental stewardship.

“The Atlas project represents a significant step forward in addressing the challenges posed by climate change in the Champlain-Adirondack biosphere boundary,” Daniel reflects. By providing stakeholders with access to data, analytical tools, and decision-support mechanisms, the project is empowering informed decision-making and fostering collaboration towards a sustainable future.

The Atlas is intended to be broadened and enriched by the community members. Daniel has faith that the tool will inform decision makers to help marginalised communities and ideally include equity and social justice successes as a key performance indicator, moving forward.