Board Spotlight: Christine Brick

Welcome to our series celebrating our fantastic board members! Their bios are here, but there's so much more to know about their service, skills and passion below.

Christine served as the science director for the Clark Fork Coalition for 16 years. She is now retired and has served on our board since 2020.

How would you like to introduce yourself to folks, when it comes to serving on the Climate Smart Missoula board?
My interest in and concern with the warming of our planet began in the mid 1990’s when I took, and later taught, a class in global climate change at the University of Montana while working on my Ph.D.  It really opened my eyes.

What skills / perspectives are you proud to bring to the board?
I bring a scientific understanding of climate change. Although my time at the Clark Fork Coalition focused mainly on cleanup of water pollution and the removal of Milltown Dam, I also co-authored a primer on local effects of climate change called Low Flows, Hot Trout. We presented heat-related trends in western Montana along with perspectives from affected stakeholders. Also, through partnership contracts with the Lolo National Forest, I designed and coordinated a new year-round continuous stream temperature monitoring network and co-authored a Forest-wide climate vulnerability assessment.

Why did you decide to serve?
I was involved in a few of [now Executive Director] Amy Cilimburg’s community visioning sessions (pre-Climate Smart Missoula) and when Climate Smart Missoula became an official nonprofit, I knew I wanted to be involved. Climate change is overwhelming, yet there are real and positive steps toward mitigation and adaptation that can be accomplished locally.  I appreciate the local perspective of Climate Smart Missoula.   

What is your favorite part about serving? And / or what program at Climate Smart Missoula gets you most excited?
I love all the work that Climate Smart Missoula does, and I love the energy and commitment that staff bring. If I have to pick a favorite program it is the Footprint Fund (missoulafootprintfund.org).  This is a carbon offset program for businesses or individuals with offset donations, realized as local energy-saving improvements in affordable housing that would not otherwise occur. You can estimate your carbon footprint with an online calculator and donate accordingly, or simply donate to the Fund, knowing that your donation will be used in the greater Missoula area. The Human Resource Council helps us find deserving projects. It’s such a great intersection of environmental justice and carbon mitigation. I also love that Climate Smart Missoula donates fans, HEPA filters, and air purifiers to help folks cope with our increasingly smoky summers. 

What is your hope for our community, related to your goals and our work at Climate Smart Missoula?
My hope is that more and more Missoulians will recognize the good work that Climate Smart Missoula is doing toward climate mitigation and adaptation, and that more people in Montana and beyond recognize the potential for similar work in their communities. I think the adage to “think globally and act locally” applies. 

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Thank you for your service, Christine!