Monday, April 13th, 2026 
6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
In-Person Event

Local Author Will Hackman will be joining us at Samuels Public Library to discuss his new book Radically Reframing Climate Change: A Guide to Saving Ourselves. He will be joined by guests Justin Proctor and Makario Sarsozo for a panel discussion to showcase local and community actions, ways for people to get involved, groups they can look into, and examples of effective local engagement. There will then be time for a Q&A session, as well as opportunity for book signing.

Will Hackman helps build advocacy campaigns and advance public policies related to ocean and land conservation as well as clean energy and the environment. His career has spanned US political campaigns, government relations, strategic communications, coalition building, climate activism, and global environmental conservation advocacy. He was also a commercial salmon fisherman and Bering Sea crab fisherman in Alaska. Will is a frequent expert climate voice online and in the media. His 2022 TEDx “The Future of Climate Change is Personal,” challenges us to reframe our climate conversations to overcome polarization and partisanship. Radically Reframing Climate Change is Will's first book. It is designed as an inspirational guide to discussing and fighting climate change for Millennial and Gen Z voters that cuts through the usual myths and scare tactics to provide practical advice. His book has received positive editorial reviews from Bill McKibben, Christiana Figueres, and other climate and environmental leaders. It has been described as a "must-read for anyone ready to turn climate anxiety into meaningful impact." Will lives in town here in Front Royal with his wife Paula.

Justin has spent more than 20 years working at the intersection of science, education, and conservation. He serves as Lead of Strategic Partnerships for the Virginia Working Landscapes program at Smithsonian's Conservation Biology Institute here in Front Royal. Justin and his team work to accelerate the adoption of best management practices onto rural landscapes by marrying science-based wildlife conservation strategies with the goals of regenerative agriculture. A strong proponent for building local community through volunteering, Justin serves as Chair of Front Royal's Advisory Committee for Environmental Sustainability, where he helps coordinate high-impact, high-visibility environmental projects around town. Focal projects include organizing the town's annual Earth Day celebration — "Lone Pine Day", extensive tree plantings, transitioning the community to dark skies friendly lighting, and improving the local greenway experience.

Makario Sarsozo is a science communicator, strategic storyteller, and passionate environmental justice advocate. His experience includes being a TV producer and showrunner, communications fellow on Capitol Hill, an environmental researcher with NASA, and content manager for the Building Decarbonization Coalition. He currently works as a Senior Communications Strategist for Homeworld Collective, a climate biotech nonprofit that directly funds research and manages programs in critical minerals, pollution, and greenhouse gas removal. Makario also serves as the Vice Chair of the Sierra Club DC Chapter, where he engages in extensive community activism.