Charles Sturt University (CSU) social researcher Dr Shelby Gull Laird has joined the local climate advocacy group Wodonga & Albury Toward Climate Health (WATCH) as a project partner. Dr Laird is a lecturer in the School of Environmental Sciences and a member of CSU's Institute for Land, Water and Society. She researches the interac­tions of people with their environment through education, community engagement and even personal connections with nature. Last month WATCH received funding from the Our Place programto enhance its database for climate impacts. Dr Laird will also now provide academic guidance to the community group. "WATCH intends to increase its pool of database informants, incorporate data on adaption measures and post its database findings online," Dr Laird said. "It's hoped this will improve the quality and quantity of impacts data, increase the numbers of locals feeling engaged with climate change; and improve resilience to climate change as adaption success stories get shared." Dr Laird said she was very pleased to be coming on board in an advisory role and that she's looking forward to partnering with the community climate change group.