Climate Change Adaptation
The Superior Watershed Partnership is teaming up with the Model Forest Policy Program!
Alger County is one of 6 communities in the U.S. to be accepted into the MFPP's Climate Solutions University Program!
On February 22nd, these communities started their first class at Climate Solutions University, a unique web-based forest and water climate adaptation training program. These leading-edge rural communities will receive ten months of on-line classes and hands-on personal coaching from a team of adaptation experts. Through a locally driven stakeholder engagement process, this innovative training curriculum works with participating communities to develop a climate adaptation plan based around each community’s unique conditions. The finished plans recommend future land use policy based around the protection of forest and water resources and will help guide each community to adapt to changes in the natural environment while integrating the future economic needs of local residents.
Other communities accepted into the program:
City of Bath – Maine
Seneca Trail RC&D Council – New York
Middle Nolichucky Watershed Alliance – Tennessee
Nez Perce Tribe – Idaho
The Watershed Research and Training Center – California
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By learning to maintain healthy forests these communities: conserve water resources; protect citizens from flooding, drought, and health hazards; sequester carbon; preserve their economy, maintain natural habitat; and build a sustainable baseline for resource oriented jobs and recreation.
This 11-month educational term empowers local communities in resource rich areas to develop climate action plans relevant to local forest, water and economic issues.
The four steps of the community process are:
1) Communities create local climate action teams;
2) Teams assess local conditions for resource vulnerabilities and action opportunities related to forest, water, land use planning and economics;
3) Teams develop strategies and recommendations for climate adaptation; and
4) Teams implement and monitor their climate adaptation plans, later evaluating them for impacts, benefits and course adjustments.
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Resources
SWP Climate Change Adaptation Summary
Climate Change Adaptation Planning Guide - King County, Washington
Climate Change Adaptation in the GL Region
Ashuelot River Watershed, New Hapshire Climate Change Adaptation Plan
La Plata County, Colorado Climate Change Adaptation Plan
Climate Adaptation Plan Template
