Cross-Border Collaboration in Cascadia: understanding place, policy, and governance in our borderlands
Borders divide and unite. They create both challenges and opportunities. In many places throughout the world today, it is in the borderlands that both human and natural systems are most vulnerable to political shocks, conflict, and even climate change. This presentation will explore the unique dynamics of the 'Cascadia’ or ‘Salish Sea’ borderland region, which is bifurcated by the Canada - US border. How do we manage shared natural resources? How can we collaborate on infrastructure that spans the two countries? Are there lessons in innovation and resiliency that develop from the cross-border experience? From flood management to irregular migration to hosting the Men’s FIFA World Cup Games in 2026, our region faces shared challenges that require us to collaborate with each other, yet many of our solutions still stop at the border.
About the Speaker
Dr. Laurie Trautman is the Director of the Border Policy Research Institute at Western Washington University. She engages in a range of research activities focused on the Washington State - British Columbia region and is considered an expert on issues related to the Canada – U.S. border. In addition to working with faculty and students, she collaborates with the private sector and government agencies to advance policy solutions and promote cross-border collaboration. Laurie participates in numerous working groups that are actively engaged in the U.S. – Canada relationship. She is a Global Fellow with the Woodrow Wilson Center’s Canada Institute, and the Canadian Global Affairs Institute, and serves on the steering committee for the Cascadia Innovation Corridor. Dr. Trautman holds a PhD in Geography from the University of Oregon, an MS from Montana State University and a BA from Western Washington University.
The Border Policy Research Institute (BPRI) at Western Washington University is a multidisciplinary institute that undertakes research to inform policy-makers on matters related to the Canada–United States border, particularly in the Cascadia region. WWU established the BPRI in 2005 after September 11th transformed border relations and security. The BPRI continues to promote research, academic programs, and public programming on critical policy issues affecting border crossings between British Columbia and Washington State. We work closely with cognate programs at the university and collaborate with many public and private entities throughout the region.
Environmental Speaker Series
The Environmental Speaker Series is hosted by the College of the Environment at Western Washington University.
The Series is free and open to the public. Talks are held each Thursday at 4:30 pm in Academic Instructional Center West room 204 - AW-204. Talks will also be streamed via Zoom. Register with The Foundation for WWU & Alumni for the zoom link. Parking is available in lot C.