Climate Programs

There are a growing number of tribal programs, government and non-government agencies and programs addressing climate change across the United States. This page includes tribal, federal and NGO climate change programs.

Title Organization Description Geography Website
Oregon Climate and Health Network. Oregon Health Authority

The Oregon Climate and Health Network will provide a forum for local public health practitioners and partners to stay connected and apprised of current climate science, health implications, and opportunities for action. It will serve as a forum for sharing information and best practices across various programmatic areas of public health. 

The network will include a list serve for e-mail communications and a quarterly conference call that will feature member updates and guest speakers. Oregon’s Climate and Health program will manage the list serve and facilitate the conference calls. 
The network is open to all those who are interested and will include members in local health departments, other local agencies, state and non-profit partners. We expect members to work in various fields (including environmental health, emergency preparedness, chronic disease prevention, land use, transportation and natural resource planning, social services, etc.) and we also expect members to have different levels of experience and expertise. If you are interested in participating in the Oregon Climate and Health Network, contact Emily York at: emily.a.york@state.or.us

Northwest Link
Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI) Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians

In 1953 farsighted tribal leaders in the Northwest formed the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, and dedicated it to tribal sovereignty and self-determination. Today, ATNI is a nonprofit organization representing 57 Northwest tribal governments from Oregon, Idaho, Washington, southeast Alaska, Northern California and Western Montana. ATNI is an organization whose foundation is composed of the people it is meant to serve — the Indian peoples.

Northwest Link
Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources (CIER) Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources

At CIER, we work with First Nations to build environmental capacity. We educate, conduct research and build skills to assist First Nations in taking action to solve the environmental problems that affect their lands and waters. This work is important because healthy lands and waters are critical to meet basic needs and are a part of First Nation culture and identity. By sharing knowledge, skills and abilities, we assist First Nations in creating solutions that are relevant and that can be used by and passed on to others. We learn with, teach and connect First Nations with the resources they need to achieve their goals.

Canada, International Link
Climate Impacts Research Consortium (CIRC) Climate Impacts Research Consortium (CIRC)

The Climate Impacts Research Consortium as a climate knowledge network established by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) provides information and tools for adapting to a changing climate in the northwest.

Northwest, National Link
USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station Forest Service

The Pacific Northwest (PNW) Research Station is one of seven research centers that are part of the USDA Forest Service. The PNW Reserach Station is engaged in a variety of climate-change related research activities, including co-partnering with the University of Oregon’s Environmental Studies Program on this website.

Northwest Link
Alaska Ocean Observing System (AOOS) Inter-Agency

This organization is works to 1) Increase access to existing coastal and ocean data;
2) Package information and data in useful ways to meet the needs of stakeholders; and 3) Increase observing and forecasting capacity in all regions of the state, with a priority on the Arctic and Gulf of Alaska.

Alaska, Arctic Link
Coastal Resilience Network The Nature Conservancy and Others

Coastal Resilience supports a community of practitioners around the world who are applying spatial planning innovations to coastal hazard risk, resilience and adaptation issues. This is a global network providing access to peer practitioners, tools, information and training focused on nature-based solutions.

National, International Link
USDA Regional Climate Hubs USDA

USDA’s regional hubs will deliver information to farmers, ranchers and forest landowners to help them adapt to climate change and weather variability. The Hubs will build capacity within USDA to provide information and guidance on technologies and risk management practices at regional and local scales.

Categories: Adaptation

Northwest, Southwest, Northeast, Southeast, National, Alaska, Midwest Link
Climate Change Adaptation Strategies for Resources of the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests EcoAdapt

This report summarizes the results of a two-day adaptation planning workshop for the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests as part of their forest plan revision process. The workshop focused on identifying adaptation options for eight key resource areas, including forested vegetation, non-forested vegetation, wildlife, hydrology, fisheries, recreation, cultural/heritage values, and ecosystem services. The report includes a general overview of the workshop methodology and provides a suite of possible adaptation strategies and actions for each key resource area. Adaptation actions were linked with the climate-related vulnerabilities they help to ameliorate as well as the direct/indirect effects they may have on other resource areas.

Categories: adaptation planning, forested vegetation, non-forested vegetation, wildlife, hydrology, fisheries, recreation, cultural/heritage values, ecosystem services

Idaho Link
Urban Adaptation Assessment Kresge Foundation, Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative

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

National Link
NOAA Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (OCRM) DOD, USACE

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

National Link
Climate Adaptation Toolkit for Marine and Coastal Protected Areas CAKE

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

Link
Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) Climate Change Program NGO

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

National Link
Tribal Climate Adaptation Guidebook Oregon Climate Change Research Institute, Adaptation International

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

National, Northwest Link
Southern California Climate Adaptation Project EcoAdapt

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

Southern California Link
University of Washington Climate Impacts Group (CIG) University of Washington

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

Northwest, National Link
Interagency Workgroup on Climate Change and Water Resources FEMA, USACE, NOAA, US Global Change Research Program, Council on
Environmental Quality, and the New York City Panel on Climate Change

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

National Link
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administation (NOAA) Civil Rights Office American Indian Program NOAA

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

National Link
Aerial Photography Field Office USDA

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

National Link
Agriculture Climate Network OSU, Northwest Climate Hub, CIRC, RISA, WSU, UI

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

Pacific Northwest Link
Conversation Reserve Program (CRP) USDA, FSA

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

National Link
EPA Tribal Air Quality Program EPA

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

National Link
Tribal Air and Climate Resources EPA

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

National Link
Alaskan Voices on Climate Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

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

Alaska Link
Agricultural Analytics Division (AAD) USDA, AMS

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

National Link
Animal Production and Protection; ARS USDA, ARS

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

National Link
APHIS Programs and Activities on Tribal Lands USDA, APHIS

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

National Link
NASA Applied Sciences Program NASA Earth Science

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

National Link
Arctic Science Portal USARC

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

Arctic, International, Alaska Link
North American Marine Protected Area Rapid Vulnerability Assessment Tool Commission for Environmental Cooperation

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

North America Link