During Raina’s eight year's of service on the NRC she has worked to educate herself, raise awareness, support green infrastructure solutions, and help implement programs so Wellesley will be better prepared to face Climate Change through the following actions:

• NRC-led Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Program, resulting in State grant money for projects
• NRC participation in the Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) Climate Compact, resulting in flood modeling software to identify at-risk buildings such as hospitals, schools, and public safety buildings.
• WGBH Covered the Climate Compact in a recent piece
• Personal Training
• CRWA Climate Resilience Training for Elected Officials
• EPA Soak up the Rain Seminars
• Association of Climate Change Officers Governance Courses
• NRC adoption of Municipal Sustainable Building Guidelines
• Declaration of a Climate Emergency by the NRC
• Member of Wellesley's Climate Action Plan Working Group
• Advocate for Green Infrastructure (GI) to naturally combat flooding:
• Member of Fuller Brook Park Coordinating Committee;
• the Fuller Brook provides drainage for 1/3 of the Town's stormwater, and the Park utilizes GI methods throughout: bioswales, rain gardens, wetland areas, native plants, and water-slowing techniques to minimize turbidity. 
• Newly-created Wetlands Resource Area at Hunnewell Fields, which collects, then cleans and filters storm-water prior to its being released into the Fuller Brook
• Wetlands play an important role in mitigating climate change by capturing and storing carbon, and expanding to hold flood waters
• Member of the statewide Gas Leaks Allies "Gas Leaks Kill Trees" group
• Participant in Wellesley's Fridays For Future climate vigils
• Regular attendance at Wellesley Green Schools Meetings
  

Support for Town bylaws and State Legislation to combat Climate Change: 

• Provided NRC Testimony for the Municipal Reforestation Bill
• Provided NRC comments to the Department of Public Utilities regarding Gas Leaks' affect on trees
• Spoke in favor of the Climate Resolution and new Greenhouse Gas Reduction Goals at 2020 Town Meeting
• Worked towards and spoke in favor of the MLP’s WeCare program at 2020 Town Meeting
• Provided NRC Support of An Act To Assure The Attainment Of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Goals In The Alternative Portfolio Standard
• Raised awareness about unnecessary car idling and provided public comment in support of amending the Town's Enforcement regulations.
  

The harmful effects of Climate Change in Wellesley can be seen today:

• Invasive Species in our forests, backyards, and water bodies strangle trees and clog ponds
• (In the past, cold winter temps would normally kill off many weed seeds, thick ice on ponds would block out the sun to inhibit weed growth)

• Record-breaking rainfalls lead to never-before flooded roads and basements

• Trees stressed and dying due to severe drought
• The effects of the 2016 drought, compounded by the early summer drought of 2021, are evident throughout Town

• Four heat waves this past summer put stress on our energy grids
• Residents were asked to "shave the peak" to avoid using the "dirtiest" fuels, like coal

• Vector-borne diseases such as West Nile Virus and "Triple E" are becoming more common. Temperature changes can worsen asthma and cardiovascular diseases.

Raina has dedicated much of her adult life to protecting the environment. This now means preparing for as well as combating Climate Change. Local governments can make a big impact. Think Globally/Act Locally has never held more meaning. Re-elect Raina to the NRC so she can continue her efforts on our behalf.