BROWARD COUNTY, FL - Climate resilience planning continues to take center stage in Broward with the recent naming of Dr. Jennifer Jurado as the County's Chief Climate Resilience Officer, a title she will hold jointly in her position as Director of the Environmental Planning and Community Resilience Division. Bertha Henry, County Administrator, formalized the position noting, "Broward County has a history of leading climate resiliency planning with investments that have been substantially shaped by Dr. Jurado during her 14-years with the County. We are pleased to formally recognize Dr. Jurado in this role and to emphasize the importance that Broward County places on climate resiliency planning and investment decisions we undertake as a County, region and nation."

In the new joint position, Dr. Jurado will serve as the County's primary representative coordinating with regional and agency partners, and public and private stakeholders to advance resiliency planning and infrastructure investments. 

The County's focus on resiliency planning is consistent with the leadership Broward County has demonstrated in the larger scope of sustainability.  Broward continues to innovate in this area under Dr. Jurado's guidance, and was the first county in the United States to be awarded the prestigious 4-STAR Community rating by STAR Communities for its local efforts to achieve environmental, economic and social sustainability.

During her time with the County, Dr. Jurado has overseen the activities of the Broward County Climate Change Task Force, the adoption of Broward's Community-wide Climate Change Action Plan (2010, 2015), and the integration of climate policy and planning. She has guided the development of advanced hydrologic models to support planning for predicted movement and distribution of water, and recently negotiated an agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to evaluate planning needs and resiliency standards for coastal Broward County. She was instrumental in the formation of the Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact, a nationally recognized four-county collaboration focused on building regional climate resiliency, and continues to represent the County on the Staff Steering Committee.

Regarding the challenges of the position, Dr. Jurado states, "Coordination in the planning, financing, and timing of investments is critical. We need to take advantage of immediate opportunities but also focus on longer-term integrated strategies and solutions, with a more holistic view of each project as a resiliency feature within our community.  It's a significant challenge, but we have committed leadership and community partners, so it's also a time of great opportunity to forge a strong path for the future."

Dr. Jurado's credentials include service as staff to the President's Task Force on Climate Preparedness and Resilience (2014-2015), recognition in 2013 by the White House as a Champion of Change for her leadership on climate resilience, and participation in diverse domestic and international workshops and symposia as an invited speaker on planning for climate resilience and the importance of regional collaboration.

About the Environmental Planning and Community Resilience Division:

Broward County's Environmental Planning and Community Resilience Division coordinates regional climate resiliency strategies that focus on integration of urban and natural systems and protects, restores and enhances the quality, abundance and diversity of the County's natural resources through coordinated management efforts with activities targeting five key areas: water resource policy and planning, urban and natural lands management, beach and marine resources, energy and sustainability, and environmental monitoring. For more information call 954-519-1270, visit our website or follow us on Twitter.