Fish, wildlife, and plants provide jobs, food, clean water, storm protection, health benefits and many other important ecosystem services that support people, communities and economies across the nation every day.
Ecological impacts associated with a changing climate may be extreme and often unpredictable, making current conservation challenges even more difficult. Coordinated adaptation planning can help limit the damage caused by climate change to our natural resources and communities, and will require new approaches, additional resources, and a pragmatic perspective.
Why do we need a National Adaptation Strategy?
The adverse impacts of climate change transcend political and administrative boundaries. No single entity or level of government can safeguard wildlife and society against the effects of climate change. The Strategy provides a mechanism for working as a unified community with shared principles and science-based practices. The Strategy is designed to inspire and enable natural resource managers, legislators, and other decision makers to take effective steps towards climate change adaptation over the next five to ten years.
What is the National Adaptation Strategy?
The National Fish, Wildlife and Plants Climate Adaptation Strategy is an integrated, coordinated, and comprehensive response to the threats of climate change. This multi-partner effort will outline a unified approach to maintaining the key terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems needed to sustain fish, wildlife and plant resources and the services they provide in the face of accelerating climate change.
In short—it is a blueprint for common action. The Strategy will serve as a valuable tool for federal and state agencies, wildlife managers, tribes, and private landowners as they continue to manage their lands and natural resources in a changing environment.
Visit the links at left to learn more about the goals of this effort, the process for developing the Strategy, and how it will be organized and structured. Or learn more about planning to reduce the effects of climate change.
