FEMA funding climate resilience
For land trusts that dream big when it comes to tackling climate change but lack the financial resources to implement large-scale resilience projects, the Federal Emergency Management Agency's new hazard mitigation assistance grant program offers a helping hand.
Through its Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities, the agency aims to recognize the enormous potential of natural climate solutions. The first Notice of Funding Opportunity last week makes available $500 million in grants to states and their partner organizations to implement innovative resilience projects, including works that would mitigate disasters such as floods, wildfires and hurricanes.
While land trusts aren't eligible to be the primary applicants, a state or local government may apply for funds on their behalf by working through their state's hazard mitigation officer.
Given the growing consensus that climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of natural disasters, the introduction of this program comes at a critical time. The important ecosystem conservation work land trusts are already doing — including floodplain management, wetlands restoration and open space preservation — can also be highly effective in mitigating these natural disasters. Moreover, this work is extremely cost-effective.
For land trusts that are interested in learning more, the Land Trust Alliance recommends monitoring the FEMA website for updates, as well as reviewing the agency's previously recorded webinars. Keep an eye out for a webinar series that will provide more details on the application process ahead of the application open date at the end of September.
If your land trust is interested in learning more about the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities grant program or other climate resiliency work, please connect with me at cwelch@lta.org.