Michael Wells

Michael Wells received his master’s degree from the UC Santa Barbara Bren School of Environmental Science and Management in June 2021, specializing in Coastal Marine Resources Management and Economics and Politics of the Environment. His graduate research evaluated the climate mitigation potential of ecological restoration activities and contributed policy recommendations to the County of Santa Barbara’s 2030 Climate Action Plan. Michael also worked for the ‘Past and Future Climates’ lab at UC Santa Barbara, where he assessed climate risks from extreme rainfall events and debris flows near burn scars.

At the California State Lands Commission, Michael will work on climate change and coastal resilience initiatives, such as reviewing sea level rise adaptation plans and developing statewide policy for the use of nature-based solutions for sea level rise and coastal armoring.