NEWS

Announcing our New Pacific RISCC Specialist

We extend a warm welcome, aloha, and congrats to Dr. Elliott Parsons as the new Pacific Regional Invasive Species and Climate Change Management Network (Pacific RISCC) Specialist! This position is jointly funded by USGS PI CASC and FWS Science Applications in support of ongoing efforts with Pacific RISCC. In this role, Dr. Parsons will be conducting a preliminary climate change and invasive species science needs assessment, developing management-relevant outreach and extension products, and coordinating the Pacific RISCC Management Network. We are so happy to bring Elliott onboard to help further our understanding of the climate change and invasive species nexus for managers, researchers, and community. Please see Elliott’s welcoming remarks below.

“I am excited to join the Pacific RISCC team and I look forward to working with everyone to help build community resilience in the Pacific! There are so many aspects of this work that I am looking forward to, but the most exciting aspect is the opportunity to connect with all of the stewards, managers, and community members who are on the front lines of dealing with the impacts of climate change and invasive species. I look forward to learning about the challenges faced, the successes achieved, and working with all of you on next steps.”

Dr. Parsons began his new role as the Pacific RISCC Specialist on May 16, 2022. He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the position from his 10+ years in conservation, management, and research as the Puʻuwaʻawaʻa (PWW) Coordinator with the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW). He has a Ph.D. in Fish & Wildlife Biology from the University of Montana and has also worked with the Three Mountain Alliance watershed partnership on Hawaiʻi Island. Elliott most recently led the Nāpuʻu Conservation Project (NCP) in North Kona and teaches both undergraduate and graduate wildlife science courses at The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo.

Dr. Parsons will apply his extensive skill set and climate adaptation leadership to the important nexus of invasive species and climate change in the Pacific. The Pacific RISCC is excited for his leadership and know that our engaged community will now be able to accomplish so much more!  You can reach out to him by emailing eparsons@hawaii.edu.

Announcement graphic with Elliott headshot. All text can be read above.