RESOURCES & TOOLS
Conservation in A Changing Climate
KOJIHIRANO/SHUTTERSTOCK
By KI R STEN FERGUSON
NEW INSIGHTS FOR LAND TRUSTS ON CLIMATE SOLUTIONS AND COMMUNITY RESILIENCE ^ The Northeast Forest Network’s Forests Make Us Healthier toolkit helps land trusts communicate the importance of permanently protected, climate-resilient and well-managed forests.
Climate change is intensifying, and a hotter future may be inevitable, according to a landmark study released in August by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change convened by the United Nations. But among the alarming results, the survey found a glimmer of hope. There is still a small window to act if we work urgently. Land trusts are critical partners in the international effort to promote natural climate solutions and help communities adapt. The following resources point the way forward.
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S AV I NG L A ND M A G A ZIN E FALL 2021
A Spotlight on Vulnerable Communities Climate change will impact natural systems and communities differently, whether that means more wildfires and extreme heat or flooding and increased precipitation. People with low income, communities of color and other historically marginalized or underserved populations will suffer disproportionately. A recent Land Trust Alliance webinar, “Understanding Climate Vulnerability,” considers questions of equity as they relate to climate change. The webinar covers new tools available to help land trusts understand the dynamics and risks in their communities. Access the webinar (fee program) on the Alliance’s Learning Center at tlc.lta.org. One resource mentioned in the webinar is the Neighborhood at Risk Tool, developed by Headwaters Economics to help communities identify at-risk neighborhoods and make informed decisions about climate change. Users can see where flooding, urban heat and hurricanes will impact the most vulnerable at the neighborhood level for every U.S. community. Access to socioeconomic and
