STWLB-NORTH

The Stewardship Leadership Board for North America (STWLB-NORTH)

1- ABOUT

The Stewardship Leadership Board for North America (STWLB-NORTH) within the Global Center for Risk and Innovation (GCRI) is tasked with ensuring a strategic and operational alignment of GCRI's initiatives with the specific challenges and opportunities present in North America. Comprising the chairs of all Specialized Leadership Boards (SLBs) focused on the region, along with the regional leadership team including the President, Secretary, and Vice President of STWLB-NORTH, this board plays a vital role in amalgamating GCRI's wide array of activities into a unified strategy that resonates across the continent. STWLB-NORTH aims to align local actions with global standards, championing innovation, risk management, and sustainable development throughout North America.

2- VISION

STWLB-NORTH envisions North America as a pioneer in harmonizing national efforts with global sustainability and innovation agendas. It aspires for GCRI to be at the forefront of driving significant transformations, establishing standards in sustainable practices, risk management, and technological advancements that foster a resilient and prosperous North America.

3- MISSION

The mission of STWLB-NORTH is to ensure seamless strategic coherence and operational effectiveness of GCRI’s initiatives across North America, integrating global standards with national strategies. It is committed to boosting North America's contribution to global governance in risk management, security, privacy, and sustainability through innovative and collaborative strategies.

4- COMPOSITION

• Chairs of SLBs: Leaders from the Industry, Academic, Engineering, Strategic, and Legacy Leadership Boards tailored to North America, providing a multidisciplinary array of expertise.

• Regional President: The primary leader directing STWLB-NORTH's strategic orientation and ensuring it aligns with GCRI’s overarching goals.

• Secretary: Manages the administration, coordination, and documentation of STWLB-NORTH’s initiatives and resolutions.

• Vice President: Aids in strategic planning and the execution of operations, aiming to enhance GCRI’s impact within North America.

5- FOCUS AREAS

• National Working Groups (NWGs) Formation and Governance: Setting up NWGs to customize GCRI’s global initiatives into actionable national strategies for North American countries.

• Oversight of National Councils: Monitoring these councils to align with GCRI's global mission, leveraging local insights to contribute to the international governance framework.

• Management of National Technical Councils: Directing these councils to address local challenges effectively while adding to the global knowledge base with North American insights.

• Ensuring Strategic Consistency: Achieving strategic alignment across all levels of GCRI’s operations within North America, directing efforts towards shared goals.

6- OPERATIONS

• Strategic Planning Meetings: Regular discussions to strategize, implement plans, and review progress.

• Efficient Coordination Mechanisms: Streamlined systems for cooperation between national and global initiatives.

• Performance Assessments: Continuous evaluation of the strategies' and initiatives' effectiveness and impact across North America.

7- RESPONSIBILITIES

• Strategic Planning and Execution: Steering GCRI’s activities in North America to align with regional needs and global objectives.

• Facilitating Collaborative Networks: Spearheading partnerships and alliances to broaden GCRI’s influence across North America.

• Advocating for Innovation and Sustainability: Promoting the adoption of innovative solutions and sustainable practices within North American national strategies.

• Encouraging Knowledge Sharing: Enabling the exchange of insights and successful strategies among national working groups and councils.

• Enhancing Capacities: Boosting the capabilities of NWGs, National Councils, and Technical Councils to effectively tackle local challenges and contribute to overarching global goals.

8- STEWARDSHIP

Arctic and Subarctic Regions

The Arctic and Subarctic zones of North America, stretching across the northern reaches of Canada, Alaska, and parts of Greenland, are defined by their permafrost-laden tundra, expansive boreal forests, and ice-covered seas. These regions are experiencing profound changes due to accelerated Arctic warming, leading to ice melt, permafrost thaw, and significant ecological shifts. Conservation efforts are increasingly focused on large-scale climate monitoring, adaptive management strategies to preserve the resilience of cold-adapted species, and safeguarding the traditional livelihoods of indigenous communities amidst environmental changes.

Pacific Northwest Rainforests

North America’s Pacific Northwest is home to temperate rainforests characterized by their high rainfall, dense fog, and massive conifers, such as Sitka spruce and Douglas fir. This region, extending from northern California through Oregon, Washington, and into British Columbia, faces challenges from timber extraction, urban sprawl, and climate-induced shifts in precipitation patterns. Conservation strategies emphasize the implementation of sustainable logging practices, the expansion of protected areas, and ecosystem restoration efforts to maintain the ecological integrity and carbon sequestration capacity of these verdant forests.

Rocky Mountains

The Rocky Mountains, an iconic mountain range that stretches from the southern United States into Canada, features diverse ecosystems from alpine tundra to montane forests. The range supports an array of wildlife and serves as a critical water source for adjacent arid regions. Threats include the impacts of climate change on snowpack and water availability, habitat fragmentation, and the pressure of recreational land use. Strategic conservation initiatives aim to enhance habitat connectivity through wildlife corridors, promote integrated water basin management, and encourage eco-friendly recreational practices.

Great Plains

Once the domain of vast herds of bison, the Great Plains span the heartland of the United States and parts of Canada, characterized by their extensive grasslands and prairies. Current challenges include the conversion of grasslands to agricultural use, urban encroachment, and the loss of native flora and fauna. Restoration of native prairie ecosystems, sustainable land management practices, and the conservation of critical habitat areas are central to maintaining the natural heritage and ecological functionality of the Great Plains.

Eastern Deciduous Forests

The Eastern Deciduous Forests cover a broad swath from the Midwestern United States to the Atlantic coast, offering a rich mosaic of hardwood species. Urbanization, invasive species, and climate change pose significant threats to these biodiverse forests. Efforts to conserve these areas include the protection of remaining old-growth stands, invasive species management, and the integration of green infrastructure within urban and suburban environments to preserve ecological corridors and promote biodiversity.

Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ecosystems

The Gulf of Mexico's coastal zone is a complex system of estuaries, marshlands, and barrier islands, critical for marine and coastal biodiversity and the protection of inland areas from storms. Threatened by hydrocarbon pollution, overfishing, and coastal development, conservation efforts in this region focus on restoring wetland and estuarine habitats, implementing sustainable fisheries management, and enhancing pollution control measures to protect these productive and biodiverse ecosystems.

Appalachian Mountains

Spanning the eastern United States from Georgia to Maine, the Appalachian Mountains are characterized by their rich biodiversity, distinct topography, and cultural history. The mountains face pressures from mountaintop removal mining, deforestation, and climate change. Conservation efforts are directed towards the establishment of protected areas, sustainable management of forest resources, and initiatives to promote eco-tourism and preserve the cultural heritage of the Appalachian region.

Sonoran and Mojave Deserts

The Sonoran and Mojave Deserts, located in the southwestern United States and parts of Mexico, are renowned for their unique desert landscapes, hosting a variety of cacti, succulents, and endemic species. Urban expansion, water extraction, and climate change threaten these arid ecosystems. Conservation strategies include habitat preservation, sustainable water management, and efforts to protect and restore populations of key species, such as the Joshua tree and the saguaro cactus.

Canadian Shield

The Canadian Shield, an extensive area of ancient Precambrian rock, encompasses parts of eastern, central, and northern Canada and a portion of the northern United States. This region, characterized by its rugged terrain, numerous lakes, and boreal forests, faces challenges from mineral extraction, forest exploitation, and climate change impacts on freshwater resources. Conservation and sustainable management practices focus on protecting water quality, sustainable mining and logging practices, and conserving the vast tracts of boreal forest that play a crucial role in carbon sequestration.

Great Lakes

The Great Lakes, the largest group of freshwater lakes in the world by total area, are shared by Canada and the United States. They support diverse ecosystems and are vital for regional water supply, transportation, and recreation. Invasive species, industrial pollution, and nutrient runoff are key challenges. Bi-national cooperation aims at improving water quality, managing invasive species, and restoring habitats to ensure the long-term ecological health and sustainability of the Great Lakes basin.