Citizens Lead the Way as Communities Prepare for Climate Change Impacts

The South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve and the Coos Watershed Association received two grants (totaling $765,918) to help nearby communities prepare for climate change. A collaborative group representing conservation and development interests, the Partnership for Coastal Watersheds, was formed. The partnership developed information tools for local leaders to use when facing community economic and environmental challenges. The partnership was also responsible for four new water quality monitoring stations and a comprehensive status and trends report that covers the region’s environmental, social, and economic conditions.

The group won an Oregon Land Board’s Partnership Award for its inclusive efforts to create a locally driven blueprint for responsible development. The enthusiasm and commitment of the partnership was evident as a group formed a committee to extend the work of this successful organization past the life of the grants. (2016)

More information: www.partnershipforcoastalwatersheds.org

Partners: City of Coos Bay, City of North Bend, Coos County, Coos Watershed Association, Coquille Indian Tribe, NOAA Office for Coastal Management, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development, South Coast Development Center, South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, Southwestern Oregon Community College, Stunzner Engineering, University of Oregon, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.