NERRS Climate Change Initiative

Fall 2010

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The initiative has four key elements:

1) understand vulnerability and impacts of climate change on reserve estuaries and watersheds,

2) foster adaptation planning in coastal communities,

3) take steps to ensure estuarine ecological resilience and function inthe long term,

4) achieve carbon neutrality in reserve facilities,lands, and programs.

Sentinel Sites to Assess Multiple Stressors of Climate Change:

- Conduct national-level synthesis of relevant environmental data andmeteorological forecasts to determine current conditions and susceptibility of NERRS to manifestations of climate change

- Provide federal funds to fully implement the geomorphic and emergent vegetation components of SWMP

- Fund discrete research efforts to refine models of coastal wetland sensitivity

- Fund implementation of NERRS habitat and elevation mapping (sea level, land level and vertical accretion rate)

- Work with NOAA Climate Service, COOPS, IOOS, and USGS to evaluate and improve existing storm and inundation models

Community Partnerships:

- Reserves assess current local and state planning efforts and available climate vulnerability information

- Pilot partnerships established in each of five reserve regions toinitiate mitigation and adaption planning and implementation

- Develop formal and informal education materials for climate change education

- Deliver education programs and teacher trainings that include climate change content

NERRS and Ecological Adaptation Planning at a Landscape Scale:

- Train NERRS staff in ecological vulnerability assessment

- Engage in Coastal Landscape Conservation Cooperatives by joining relevant committees

- Revise NERRS Management Plan guidance to take into account climate change

Climate Neutrality for the NERRS:

- Modify NERRS facilities construction and land acquisitionguidance and call for proposals to prioritize renewable energyand efficiency-related projects and land acquisition to supportcarbon sequestration

- Develop guidance for NERRS Greenhouse Gas Inventory and Energy Audits and Plans