Mark your calendar for the sixth annual Preservation in a Changing Climate conference, hosted by Salem’s Preservation in a Changing Climate Partners. This day of thought-provoking talks aims to advance strategies that can help reduce climate change and boost resiliency of historic buildings, landscapes and neighborhoods.
Join us for case studies, conversations and panel presentations, beginning with a keynote by Lori Ferriss, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Built Buildings Lab and an internationally recognized expert on leveraging existing and historic buildings for equitable climate change mitigation and adaptation. We will close with remarks and refreshments at the National Park Service Salem Armory Visitor Center.
Read the City of Salem's press release on the conference.
Schedule
8:15 AM | CHECK-IN AND LIGHT REFRESHMENTS
Main Atrium
9–9:30 AM | WELCOME & OVERVIEW OF THE DAY
Morse Auditorium
Join us for opening remarks from Dominick Pangallo (Mayor, City of Salem), Kurt Steinberg (PEM’s Interim Executive Director and CEO), Jane Winchell (PEM’s Sarah Fraser Robbins Director, The Dotty Brown Art & Nature Center, Curator of Natural History, Salem Preservation in a Changing Climate Partners representative) and Steven Mallory (PEM’s Manager of Historic Structures and Landscapes and Salem Preservation in a Changing Climate Partners representative).
9:30–10:15 AM | KEYNOTE: LORI FERRISS
From Vulnerability to Value: Built Heritage as Climate Action
How reuse and long‑term stewardship of historic buildings can advance decarbonization, resilience and local climate goals.
10:15–10:30 AM | CLIMATE UPDATE: STEPHEN YOUNG
We Are Entering the Age of Acceleration
Recent research shows that temperatures in New England, and globally, are accelerating, making climate impacts more ominous and immediate action more vital.
10:30–11:20 AM | SESSION 1: KEEPING HISTORY ABOVE WATER: NONPROFIT AND MUNICIPAL PARTNERSHIP IN NEWPORT
Newport Restoration Foundation and the city of Newport are teaming up to protect the city’s heritage from climate threats.
MODERATOR: Susan Baker, Curator of Collections, The House of the Seven Gables
SPEAKERS
Margaret Back, Preservation Projects Manager, Newport Restoration Foundation
Christine Truwit, Resilience Assistant, Resilience & Sustainability Department, City of Newport
11:20–11:40 AM | BREAK & LIGHT REFRESHMENTS
Main Atrium
11:40 AM-12:30 PM | SESSION 2: THE HEAVEN AND EARTH INITIATIVE
Case study of a local historic church’s struggle with high energy bills that has evolved into a community-focused clean energy movement, including geothermal, solar and energy storage in Salem.
MODERATOR: Neal Duffy, Director of the Sustainability and Resiliency Department, City of Salem
SPEAKERS
Reverend Nathan Ives, Saint Peter’s–San Pedro Episcopal Church
Abigail Despres, Project Manager, Working Power
12:30-2 PM | LUNCH AND LEARN
Main Atrium, Art & Nature Center, and St. Peter’s–San Pedro Episcopal Church
Table Conversations
Landscape Resilience (Barbara Warren, Environmental Consultant)
Historic Buildings and Coastal Relocation (Paul Wright, Director of Preservation, The House of the Seven Gables)
National Park Conservation Association - The Legacy Restoration Act in Action (Kristen Sykes, Northeast Regional Director, National Parks Conservation Association)
Kakawa Chocolate House station
Stop by for samples of sustainably sourced chocolate and to learn about Kakawa’s commitment to supporting sustainably grown cacao.
Knowing Nature: Stories of the Boreal Forest
Exhibition open for attendees to explore.
St. Peter's-San Pedro Episcopal Church open from 1–1:45 pm for attendees to see inside (24 St Peter Street, one block from PEM).
2–2:45 PM | SESSION 3: SALEM 400+: PAST LESSONS OF RESILIENCE FOR THE FUTURE
A conversation about how four centuries of change to Salem’s coastline, climate, architecture and industry can help us better understand the ways resiliency needs to evolve in the face of a rapidly changing climate.
MODERATOR: Barbara Warren, Environmental Consultant
SPEAKERS