Climate Programs

The biennial California Adaptation Forum gathers the adaptation community to foster knowledge exchange, innovation, and mutual support to create resilient communities throughout the state. The Forum offers a series of engaging plenaries, sessions, networking opportunities, workshops, and tours to support our transition from adaptation awareness and planning to action.

Categories: climate change, adaptation, knowledge exchange, resilient communities, networking, planning

The Template for Assessing Climate Change Impacts and Management Options (TACCIMO) integrates climate change science into land management and planning. This tool generates reports capturing and organizing information for a specific location and natural resource issue by synchronizing climate change literature with mapping tools and climate models. Learn more about this information delivery tool here.Please note, as of 9/16/22, the TACCIMO site is currently experiencing technical issues.

Categories: climate change impacts, planning, maps, land management, natural resource protection, climate models

ADAPTAlaska provides resources and tools for people and communities in Alaska to develop climate change adaptation strategies and plans. Their website also includes stories on climate change adaptation stories and sustainability success in Alaskan communities.

Categories: climate change adaptation, planning, resources, sustainability, stories

This website offers free online courses in landscape conservation, climate adaptation and energy forecast modeling.

Categories: Climate Adaptation, Scientific Data, Training, Education, Online Learning,

This national analysis, by the Union of Concerned Scientists, identifies the number of US homes at risk from chronic flooding over the coming decades due to sea level rise. It also shows the current property value, estimated population, and portion of the property tax base at risk. Information is available by state, community, and zip code. For this analysis, chronic flooding is defined to be flooding that occurs 26 times or more per year, a level of disruption also referred to as chronic inundation. Two time frames are featured. The first falls within the lifespan of a 30-year mortgage issued today. The second extends out to 2100, when more than 2.4 million of today's homes could be at risk. The challenges and choices that come with rising seas are profound and have significant implications for coastal residents, communities, and the broader economy. We explore these implications in the closing section.

Categories: chronic flooding, rising sea level, coastal communities, relocation, infrastructure,

The State Carbon Pricing Network (SCPN) is a network of hundreds of advocates, legislators, and experts spearheading carbon pricing efforts in their state. It is a platform for campaign leaders to connect and collaborate with one another, exchanging wisdom and resources. SCPN provides a range of critical services to state campaigns, including:WebinarsCampain Training ResourcesMonthly Phone CallsMedia resourcesOnline PlatformsResearch and Policy Analysis

Categories: carbon pricing, network, research, policy, training

On topics related to the rural economy and rural populations, ERS conducts research on 1) Business & Industry, 2) Employment & Education, 3) Natural Amenities, 4) Population & Migration, 5) Rural Classifications, and 6) Rural Poverty & Well-being.

Categories: business, education, population, rural communities, poverty, public health, research

The Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) provides financial assistance to owners and operators of agricultural and non-industrial private forest land who wish to establish, produce, and deliver biomass feedstocks. BCAP provides two categories of assistance: matching payments, and annual payments.

Categories: Biomass, Energy

The Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) Center for Climate and Health performs assessments, develop community-appropriate strategies, and develops resources that describe climate-health connections.

Categories: assessment, Community Empowerment, public health

The North American Marine Protected Area Rapid Vulnerability Assessment Tool was created to help marine protected area managers evaluate the implications of climate change for the habitats of their sites. This tool has three parts (a user guide, a set of blank worksheets, and a booklet containing sample completed worksheets) that are available as downloadable PDFs. The blank worksheets are in a dynamic PDF format so that users can easily fill, save and share their completed worksheets. The User Guide and sample worksheets provide the narrative explanation of how to use the tool, while the blank worksheets are the hands-on component. Together, they comprise a tool that can help marine protected area managers conduct a rapid vulnerability assessment and adaptation strategy development process.

Categories: assessment, climate change, habitat, adaptation strategies

To facilitate access to the broad array of data available on the Arctic, this portal can be thought of as a library of links (URLs) to websites where Arctic data are made publicly available. The portal directs users to appropriate websites based on topic and short description (e.g., Arctic weather, sea ice conditions, fisheries information, Arctic oceanography, oil spill response research). It's a tool that directs users to available information on the Arctic sorted in the main categories of Society, Environment, Economics, Reference, and Organizations.

Categories: Arctic, Climate Database

The Program manages three specific activities to improve skills and capabilities in the US and developing countries on how to access and apply NASA Earth science – DEVELOP, SERVIR, and Applied Remote Sensing Training (ARSET). In addition, the Program is actively involved in the international Group on Earth Observation (GEO), and the GEO activities support the overall capacity-building efforts.

Categories: applied sciences, earth science, training, capacity-building, observation

APHIS is an agency with many missions vital to the health and welfare of animals, plants, and the natural environment in Indian Country. We have worked with Tribal partners and Native American communities for many years to help protect livestock and crops from disease, pests, and wildlife damage. We collaborate on these important projects through cooperative agreements, technical and emergency training, outreach activities, and consultations that ensure Native American cultural heritage and values are respected.

Categories: animal health, plant health, natural environment, livestock, crops, disease, pests, wildlife, technical training, outreach, consultation, culture

The mission of animal production and protection national programs is to improve the health, well-being, and efficiency of livestock, poultry, and aquatic food animals to ensure a productive and safe food supply. Emphasis is placed on germplasm characterization, improvement, and conservation; understanding the mechanisms of disease resistance, and the development of tools to prevent, control, or eradicate diseases that threaten our food supply or public health; and identifying and developing sustainable systems for production of high quality meat, milk, and eggs.

Categories: animal health, marine health, food production, food safety, research, public health

The Agricultural Analytics Division (AAD) provides economic, statistical, analytic, and scientific expertise in support of both Agency and industry stakeholders functions consistent with USDA’s scientific integrity policy. AAD services help recipients to identify and drive business efficiencies, make informed policy and marketing decisions, develop innovative solutions to complex marketing and production issues, gain a better understanding of the present day commodity market environment, evaluate new marketing opportunities, improve logistics and science based operations, and manage risk.

Categories: analytics, economy, research, business development, innovative solutions, commodity food programs

We're seeking your videos on the impact of climate on Alaska today and the work you are doing to ensure a healthy environment for future generations. We’d like to know:
How changes in climate have affected you, your community, or tribe.
What you are doing to adapt or respond to a changing climate.
What lessons you can share to help other communities become more resilient.
Anything else you’d like to tell us about the changes you are experiencing and actions you are taking.
We'll share our favorite videos on Facebook, Twitter, EPA's website, our Alaska InfoBox, and other Alaska channels. We can’t wait to see what you submit!

Categories: Alaska, video, communication

Tribes have historically played an important role in environmental issues including air quality and climate change. Tribal citizens are often disproportionately affected by air pollution, while their governments play an increasingly valuable role in controlling and reducing pollution and its adverse health effects. Tribes are also particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and are taking steps to prepare for and become more resilient to these changes. Learn about the environmental programs and technical assistance regarding air quality on tribal lands.

Categories: air quality, climate change, air pollution, health, technical assistance

Tribes have express authority under the Clean Air Act and the Tribal Authority Rule to manage air quality in Indian country. EPA provides technical assistance and resources to help tribes build their program capacity. It is important to note that air quality monitoring serves a different purpose than an emission inventory. Air quality monitoring samples the air to measure which pollutants are present and in what amounts, but does not tell where the pollutants are coming from. An emission inventory tells a tribe what sources are emitting which pollutants into the air. These documents provide guidance to tribes and EPA Regional Offices on how to develop and implement tribal air monitoring programs on tribal lands.

Categories: Air Quality, clean air act, tribal authority rule, technical assistance, monitoring

The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is a land conservation program administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA). In exchange for a yearly rental payment, farmers enrolled in the program agree to remove environmentally sensitive land from agricultural production and plant species that will improve environmental health and quality. Contracts for land enrolled in CRP are 10-15 years in length. The long-term goal of the program is to re-establish valuable land cover to help improve water quality, prevent soil erosion, and reduce loss of wildlife habitat. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is holding a continuous signup period for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), running from June 4, 2018 to August 17, 2018.

Categories: agriculture, conservation, environmental health and quality, water quality, soil erosion, wildlife habitat

The AgClimate Network is a web-based hub for communication between regional scientists and stakeholders about climate change and agricultural and natural resources topics. A consortium of institutions including Oregon State University, University of Idaho, and Washington State University, and the United States Department of Agriculture Northwest Climate Hub support individuals who contribute content to this site and share articles and analyses. Our editorial team and frequent contributors are listed on our Editorial Team page. To contact specific authors please send your comments via our Ask a Question page, or email us at info@agclimate.net.

Categories: agriculture, communication, scientists, stakeholders, climate change impacts, natural resources

APFO is home to one of the country's largest aerial film libraries. We currently house more than 70,000 rolls of film (10 million plus images). Our film dates from 1955 to the present. We have coverage of most of the United States and its territories. Historic aerial images play a more vital role today than ever before with environmental assessments, change detection, and property boundary disputes.

Categories: aerial images, GIS, mapping, boundary disputes, environmental assessment

This initiative focuses on American Indians and Alaskan Natives who have origins in any of the original people of North America, and who maintain cultural identification through tribal affiliation or community recognition. Program Managers provide advice and guidance on matters affecting the employment, advancement, retention and external participation of Native American in all NOAA programs and activities. Outreach efforts for employment and to community organizations must be specific and designed around equal trust, commitment and collective communication with tribal government officials.

Categories: Administration

The Interagency Workgroup on Climate Change and Water Resources was formed between the USACE, Bureau of Reclamation, US Geological Survey, and National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration to evaluate how climate change consideration can be incorporated into activities related to the Nation’s water resources.

Categories: Adaptation, Water Resources

The University of Washington Climate Impacts Group (CIG) studies the impacts of natural climate variability and global climate change, focusing mostly on the Pacific Northwest. The CIG has partnerships with tribes in the Pacific Northwest, engages in outreach efforts that include meetings, workshops, and webinars, presentations, consultations, and technical assistance, and is a source of scientific projections, impacts assessments, and tools and resources for climate change adaptation planning and vulnerability assessment.

Categories: Adaptation, Vulnerability Assessment

The Southern California Climate Adaptation Project was initiated to improve understanding about the vulnerability of important southern California habitats to climate change and to develop adaptation strategies designed to reduce vulnerabilities and/or increase resilience of habitats. This project used a collaborative, stakeholder-driven process that involved soliciting input from land and resource managers, conservation practitioners, scientists, and others from federal and state agencies, universities, and nongovernmental organizations. Input was provided through participation on the project's Stakeholder Advisory Committee, a series of workshops focused on vulnerability and adaptation, and peer reviews of draft products. Project products include climate change vulnerability assessments and adaptation strategies and actions for 12 regionally important habitats. In addition, four case studies were developed to demonstrate how climate vulnerability and adaptation information can be integrated into on-the-ground projects. The diverse range of products are intended to inform federal agency management plan revisions and projects as well as other regional management and conservation planning efforts.

Categories: adaptation, resilience, habitat, conservation, assessment, climate change

The Oregon Climate Change Research Institute, along with Adaptation International, created the Tribal Climate Adaptation Guidebook, which provides a framework for climate change adaptation planning in the context of existing tribal priorities. The Guidebook builds on the on-going climate-related work in tribal communities, directly considers the unique issues facing Indigenous communities, and identifies opportunities and guidance for incorporating Traditional Knowledges based on the Climate and Traditional Knowledges Workgroup’s Guidelines for Considering Traditional Knowledges (TKs) in Climate Change Initiatives. The Tribal Climate Adaptation Guidebook is designed to be useful for tribes at any stage of adaptation planning and with varying degrees of funding and staff capacity. The Guidebook is designed so that tribes can work through any applicable section and skip sections that are not applicable. The development of the guidebook was overseen by a group of advisors who supported the writing staff by refining the goals and objectives for the Guidebook and by providing regular reviews throughout the development process. The project was funded by a grant from the North Pacific Landscape Conservation Cooperative and received supplemental funding from the Pacific Northwest Climate Impacts Research Consortium and the Oregon Climate Change Research Institute.

Categories: adaptation, planning, resource, climate change

The Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) was established in 1992 with a vision to assist Indian Tribes in the management of their environmental resources through effective training and education programs. ITEP offers training to tribal environmental professionals to build their capacity to address climate change issues and coordinates the Tribes and Climate Change website and newsletter, found here: http://www7.nau.edu/itep/main/tcc/

Categories: Adaptation, Mitigation, Natural Resource Management

The Climate Adaptation Toolkit for Marine and Coastal Protected Areas was created to make climate adaptation planning a simple, direct, and feasible process for marine protected area managers. It contains tools that help protected area managers evaluate the vulnerability of their sites to climate change, identify appropriate adaptation strategies and learn about those strategies through case studies, reports and other resources.

Categories: adaptation, marine and coastal areas, vulnerability assessment

The mission of the Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) Responses to Climate Change Program is to develop, implement, and assess adjustments or changes in operations and decision environments to enhance resilience or reduce vulnerability of USACE projects, systems, and programs to observed or expected changes in climate.

Categories: Adaptation, Infrastructure

The Urban Adaptation Assessment (UAA) is an interactive database funded by the Kresge Foundation and led by the Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN) that collates a rich dataset within a visual platform to give leaders the data they need to make decisions on how best to adapt and prepare. Encompassing data from over 270 cities within the United States, including all 50 states and Puerto Rico, whose populations are above 100,000, the UAA allows you to explore the connection between vulnerabilities to climate disasters, adaptive capacities, and how these are distributed within a city. Our easy-to-use tool gives you metrics to see your city’s risk and readiness in seconds. It also enables you to download extensive datasets, and examine which neighborhoods to focus your efforts. 

Categories: adaptation, disaster preparedness, climate change, vulnerability assessment, capacity building