Implementation of climate change adaptation actions on western U.S. national forests

Over the last decade, considerable progress has been made in developing vulnerability assessment tools and in applying these methodologies to identify and implement climate change adaptation approaches for natural resource management organizations. The Adaptation Partners team, a collaboration between the U.S. Forest Service and the University of Washington, has conducted climate change vulnerability assessments and developed adaptation options for 49 National Forests and 32 National Park Service units across the western U.S., involving over 1,300 resource managers. Key components of the adaptation process included: establishing a science-management partnership; evaluating current forest conditions and management objectives; conducting detailed science-based vulnerability assessments; developing adaptation approaches and on-the-ground tactics; implementing adaptation tactics; and monitoring outcomes and adjusting as needed. I will describe several recent applications of climate change vulnerability assessments and adaptation options in management of western U.S. national forests, including examples in infrastructure, forest, fish habitat, and cultural resource management. Related products and tools, and lessons learned will also be discussed.