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February 2, 2026

Skagit County Commissioners Appoint Members to Climate Impact Advisory Committee

The Skagit County Board of Commissioners has appointed nine members to the newly created Skagit County Climate Impact Advisory Committee (CIAC). Including members nominated by the four Skagit County federally recognized Tribes and the Skagit County dike and drainage districts, the CIAC will consist of 15 members.

As discussed by the Board’s December 15, 2025, ordinance establishing the CIAC, “the Board intends that the Committee will bring together scientific, local and indigenous knowledge in collaborative, transparent dialogue, providing the Board with Skagit-specific climate risk assessment and policy options that are broadly accepted in the Skagit community, within the scope of the County’s jurisdiction, authority and direct responsibilities.”

“We are deeply grateful for the many highly qualified people in our community that stepped up to apply for this position. I am continually reminded that the Skagit is a special place, and so are its people,” said Commissioner Peter Browning.

The Board has selected the following individuals to the eight open CIAC seats envisioned by SCC 2.22.040(8):

Jon Riedel. Recently retired after a career with the National Park Service, Dr. Riedel is widely regarded for his expertise in North Cascades glaciers and how they are impacted by climate change. He divides his time between Marblemount and Anacortes.
Don McMoran. A Washington State University professor of agricultural science, Don is the Director of the WSU Skagit extension in Mount Vernon. Don grew up on his family’s farm on the Skagit Delta.
Patsy Martin. Patsy was the Executive Director of the Port of Skagit for 14 years. Her education is in earth science and environmental studies.
Joel Dryden. An experienced forester with an education in forestry science, Joel formerly worked for the Washington Department of Natural Resources, and is now General Manager of the 15,500 acre Pilchuk Tree Farm.
Robert Pavia. A professor at the University of Washington School of Marine Affairs and former NOAA scientist, Dr. Pavia has a background in coastal resilience.
Jason Vanderkooy. Jason owns and operates Harmony Dairy, one of the largest farms on the Skagit Delta. Jason is a Dike District 1 commissioner, board member of the Skagit Dike Partnership, and serves on the Salmon Recovery Council of the Puget Sound Partnership.
Bob Carey. Bob is the director of the Columbia Basin program for the Nature Conservancy. He was previously the Nature Conservancy’s Skagit River program director. Carey was also a principal founder of Floodplains by Design, a nationally renowned climate adaptation and river management program.
Mark Radka. Mark is the former Chief of United Nations Environment Programme’s Energy, Climate and Technology Branch. He has deep background and experience at the intersection of climate science and policy.

In addition, the Board has appointed Betty Carteret of Citizens’ Climate Education, Skagit Chapter to the climate advocacy CIAC seat envisioned by Skagit County Code 2.22.040(7).

The ordinance also reserves a dedicated seat for each of the Skagit’s four federally recognized tribes; a seat for Skagit dike districts; and a seat for Skagit drainage districts, the members of which are being appointed by their respective entities.

“I am very excited to learn from this incredible group of Skagitonians,” said Commissioner Joe Burns. “The CIAC’s advice will help us plan for an uncertain future.”

“This is exactly what our community needs to help us come together around solutions to some of our most challenging issues,” said Commissioner Ron Wesen.

More information on the CIAC can be found on our website: www.skagitcounty.net/CIAC