Skip to main content

Planning with Nature: Identifying Opportunities for Nature-based Coastal Adaptation Strategies Using the Sea Level Rise Adaptation Framework

Planning with Nature: Identifying Opportunities for Nature-based Coastal Adaptation Strategies Using the Sea Level Rise Adaptation Framework

Linda Mar Beach. Photo credit: Jenny Erbes

Using case studies of real-world applications, this project developed a training curriculum for coastal managers to advance nature-based coastal adaptation strategies, achieve consistency in practices, and think creatively about site-relevant solutions to rising sea level. The project piloted the training curriculum at two collaborative workshops. The training curriculum can be used by others to more effectively disseminate best practices to address critical coastal management issues.

The Project

Understanding and adapting to sea level rise is a significant challenge faced by California coastal decision makers. Nature-based coastal management strategies – such as living shorelines and green infrastructure– can achieve multi-benefit outcomes including reducing community vulnerability to sea level rise, improving water and habitat quality, providing recreational opportunities, increasing carbon sequestration, and decreasing maintenance costs. The ecological, economic, and environmental benefits of nature-based management strategies make them highly effective responses to climate change. However, limited funding and a lack of familiarity and technical support for decision makers often hinder effective implementation.

This project team collaborated with partners in the San Francisco Bay Area and the California central coast to build much needed capacity for prioritizing nature-based measures in coastal adaptation efforts. To help decision makers become more familiar with adaptation strategies, this project team facilitated the transfer of an established adaptation planning process from the inner bayshore of Marin County, California to three primary users: the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, the San Francisco Bay NERR Coastal Training Program, and the Elkhorn Slough NERR. Together, the team and their partners developed a training curriculum that employs a “train the trainers” model and focuses on evaluating and comparing adaptation strategies. The project then leveraged the curriculum at two workshops over the course of the project. A key takeaway from this project includes the importance of integrating varied perspectives and expertise areas to develop more inclusive and creative training opportunities.

The training and exchange resulting from this project continues to advance understanding of coastal adaptation solutions by creating a strong foundation for site-relevant, tailored learning.

The Impact

  • Strengthened relationships among coastal California partners and provided alignment of outreach and educational efforts on nature-based adaptation.
  • Deepened understanding among coastal planners/managers of where and when natural and nature-based coastal adaptation are suitable, and what ecosystem services they provide.
  • Provided a new nature-based adaptation training curriculum that will be incorporated into existing Coastal Training Programs and other NOAA training.