The USFS Pacific Southwest Region, BLM - California, and EcoAdapt have partnered to conduct a vulnerability assessment and develop climate-informed adaptation strategies for focal resources (habitats, species) of northwestern California, with a specific focus on the Six Rivers, Klamath, Shasta-Trinity, and Mendocino National Forests and BLM lands in the Arcata and Redding field office areas and portions of the Ukiah field office area. This effort will provide information and tools for USFS planning and management (Forest Plan Revisions, Climate Change Performance Scorecard), BLM planning (Resource Management Plan revisions), and other natural resource management and conservation efforts to prepare for climate impacts in northwestern California.

The overarching goal of the Northern California Climate Adaptation Project is to increase the understanding of and capacity to reduce climate-related vulnerabilities of resources of natural and cultural importance (i.e., habitats, species/species groups) in northwestern California. Objectives include:

1. Convene a science-management partnership involving multiple agencies and organizations to evaluate the impacts of climate change on northwestern California natural resources and develop potential adaptation options;
2. Increase understanding of the climate-related vulnerabilities of natural resources;
3. Facilitate the creation of adaptation actions that reduce vulnerabilities and develop a portfolio of “best bet” options to increase overall resilience of natural resources to climate change;
4. Support the integration and implementation of adaptation into conservation and management plans and projects; and
5. Create a climate-engaged public that can make informed decisions to sustain natural resources.

This project involves a series of four workshops, with each workshop to be held in at least two locations (Redding and Arcata/Eureka).

• Workshop 1: Selecting Focal Resources and Scenario Planning. We convened two, two-day workshops with scientists, resource managers, and other stakeholders to collaboratively identify a suite of focal resources (habitats, species) and explore alternative future climate scenarios for the region. March 2016

• Workshop 2: Assessing Vulnerability of Focal Resources. We convened two, two-day workshops with scientists, resource managers, and others (including those who participated in the first workshop) to assess vulnerabilities of focal resources. May-June 2017

• Workshop 3: Identifying Adaptation Strategies and Actions. We convened participants from the first and second workshops, as well as others, during two, two-day workshops to develop climate-informed adaptation strategies and actions for focal resources. December 2017.
• Workshop 4: Integrating Vulnerability and Adaptation Information into Existing Management Plans and Projects. We will convene workshops with regional stakeholders to present the final vulnerability assessment results and adaptation strategies and actions for focal resources. Workshop participants will develop specific implementation plans for high-priority adaptation strategies, focused on specific sites, projects, and/or focal resources. Participants will also review and evaluate adaptation strategies and actions compiled during previous workshops and from outside sources in order to support the identification strategies and actions that should be prioritized for implementation. November 2021.

The following products can be found on the Northern California Climate Adaptation Project Products page: