Regional Adaptation for Climate Resilience of Monterey Bay Coastal Communities

The California Marine Sanctuary Foundation is leading a collaborative, multi-institutional project to build climate resilience for the Monterey Bay area’s low-lying, coastal communities threatened by sea level rise, storm surge, and flooding.

Flood Risk Reduction

Grant funds support ten projects across the Monterey Bay Area to improve the condition and function of coastal, estuarine, and riparian habitats that moderate extreme flood flows. Many of these projects are designed to deliver benefits to some of the most vulnerable communities in the state, including the City of Watsonville, the communities of Pajaro and Castroville, and low-lying areas of Santa Cruz.

Fire Risk Reduction

Grant funds support five fire risk reduction projects across 7,150 acres. These include the installation of more than six miles of shaded fuel breaks, fuel load reduction, and prescribed and cultural burning to reduce the risk of high-severity wildfire.

afa4de4f-0d32-4bd5-8316-296c9540c34e-5eceeb2b-250a-4297-93e6-5f717d3f6f7e.jpg

Collaborative Conference Facilitation 2.jpeg

Monterey Bay Climate Adaptation Action Network

CMSF will work collaboratively with partners to create, launch, and lead the Monterey Bay Climate Adaptation Action Network (MBCAAN). MBCAAN will coordinate and plan for future adaptation and resilience actions in the Monterey Bay region and act as a forum for planning and information sharing to encourage integrated implementation of climate adaptation activities.

MBCAAN will ensure broad and inclusive participation of local and regional government agencies, researchers, non-government organizations, and other stakeholders, with meaningful engagement of disadvantaged communities and of Tribes.

Workforce Development

Grant funds support workforce development through collaborative efforts lead by Watsonville Wetlands Watch, Hartnell College, California State University Monterey Bay (CSUMB), and University of California Santa Cruz (UCSC).

Watsonville Wetlands Watch will recruit recent high school graduates, and will provide field training, certificates, and job placement.
Hartnell College will offer no-cost climate adaptation skill-based classes and certificate programs in addition to climate curricula and paid climate adaptation internships.
CSUMB will offer training and support for undergraduate and graduate students in climate adaptation programs, as well as workforce skills training and certifications.
UCSC will offer internship and externships, and wraparound support for undergraduates, as well as fellowships for graduate students and a professional certificate training program with Elkhorn Slough NERR's Coastal Training Program for Monterey Bay area professionals.

Santa-Cruz-aerial-state-of-the-workforce-santa-cruz-county-2024-bw-research-partnership.jp

PHOTO - Aerial photo of esnerr at Moss landing - NOAA - 10012018 - 2240x1068.jpg

Revolving Fund

The grant will establish a climate adaptation revolving fund to offer critical bridge funding for climate adaptation projects as well as rapid response to urgent needs.