FEMA Updates Building Community Resilience with Nature-Based Solutions
In June, the Risk Management Directorate updated its Building Community Resilience with Nature-Based Solutions: A Guide for Local Communities publication to emphasize using nature-based solutions to combat the risk posed by the changing climate.
A new foreword stresses the urgency of taking a new approach to climate change adaptation and resilience, including using nature-based solutions. While these solutions have many hazard mitigation benefits, they can also help a community meet its climate change, social, environmental, and economic goals.
In addition, the updated guide includes new information on environmental and historic preservation considerations and the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) and Public Assistance programs.
The ultimate goal of the guide remains unchanged: to help communities identify and engage the staff and resources that can be used to implement nature-based solutions to build resilience to natural hazards, which may be exacerbated by climate change. The guide provides background information on nature-based solutions, presents the business case, and gives practical advice for planning and implementation.