NATURE-BASED
SOLUTIONS
RESOURCE GUIDE
COMPENDIUM OF FEDERAL EXAMPLES,
GUIDANCE, RESOURCE DOCUMENTS,
TOOLS, AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
NOVEMBER 2022
NATURE- BASED SOLUTIONS RESOURCE GUIDE
2
Prepared by:
White House Council on Environmental Quality: Co-Chair, Lydia Olander
White House Office of Domestic Climate Policy: Co-Chair, Krystal Laymon
White House Office of Science and Technology Policy: Co-Chair, Heather Tallis
Contributing agencies and bureaus:
Suggested citation: White House Council on Environmental Quality, White House Office of Science
and Technology Policy, White House Office of Domestic Climate Policy, 2022. Nature-Based
Solutions Resource Guide. Washington, D.C.
NATURE- BASED SOLUTIONS RESOURCE GUIDE
3
Table of Contents
Summary ......................................................................................................................................... 4
Abbreviations and Acronyms ......................................................................................................... 5
Federal Stories: Nature-Based Solutions in Action ....................................................................... 6
Current Federal Resources, Tools, Guidance, and Technical Assistance ..................................... 20
NATURE- BASED SOLUTIONS RESOURCE GUIDE
4
Summary
The impacts of climate change and the continual loss of nature endanger American communities,
ecosystems, and infrastructure. To help us achieve climate, conservation and equity goals, the
Biden-Harris Administration is investing in nature-based solutions. These solutions are actions to
protect, sustainably manage, or restore natural or modified ecosystems to address societal
challenges, simultaneously providing benefits for people and the environment.
1
Nature-based solutions have been used successfully by many federal agencies. Yet, they are far
from reaching their full potential. One challenge to further adoption is limited awareness and
skills for using nature-based solutions. This guide provides a compendium of federal and partner
cases and resources that can help overcome this challenge.
The guide contains 30 examples of ways that federal agencies have used nature-based solutions
to achieve their goals. The diverse set of examples demonstrates that nature-based solutions can
provide many different benefits. For example, nature-based solutions have been used to make
federal buildings and assets more resilient to natural hazards and climate impacts. These
solutions have also been used to reduce operation and management costs, like those for heating
and cooling and stormwater management. Federal agencies have also supported communities in
their use of nature-based solutions. For example, communities have used federal funding of
nature-based solutions to build resilient low-income housing and make roads safer. Wetlands and
native plants have been used to capture stormwater, reducing flooding and costs for stormwater
management systems. Communities have grown rain gardens and shade trees as part of their
journey towards improved public health. Good jobs have been supported for ranchers, renewable
energy workers, engineers and other sectors. Shaded fire breaks have reduced the risk of
catastrophic wildfires. Roads and homes have been strengthened against future erosion from
intense storms and sea level rise. Plants valued by Native communities have been revived,
reconnecting people to important cultural practices. Communities that have been denied access
to nature in the past have been connected to greenspaces. Science and evidence have been
advanced, using these experiences as opportunities to learn. And through all of these efforts,
nature has been saved or strengthened.
The guide also contains a summary and links to 177 federal knowledge resources, tools,
guidance, and technical assistance on nature-based solutions. Together, these examples and
resources provide a starting point for learning about nature-based solutions and effectively
implementing them. There are other challenges that slow the deployment of nature-based
solutions. These are addressed in a companion report on “Opportunities to Accelerate Nature-
Based Solutions: A Roadmap for Climate Progress, Thriving Nature, Equity and Prosperity.”
2
1
United Nations Environment Assembly. 2020. Resolution adopted by the United Nations Environment Assembly on 2 March 2022Nature-
based solutions for supporting sustainable development, UNEP/EA.5/Res.5.
https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/39752/K2200677%20-%20UNEP-EA.5-Res.5%20-
%20Advance.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y.
2
White House Council on Environmental Quality, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, White House Domestic Climate Policy Office,
2022. Opportunities for Accelerating Nature-Based Solutions: A Roadmap for
Climate Progress, Thriving Nature, Equity, and Prosperity. Report
to the National Climate Task Force. Washington, D.C.
NATURE- BASED SOLUTIONS RESOURCE GUIDE
5
Abbreviations and Acronyms
AFB Air Force Base
BIA U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs
BOEM U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
CEQ White House Council on Environmental Quality
DHS U.S. Department of Homeland Security
DOD U.S. Department of Defense
DOE U.S. Department of Energy
DOI U.S. Department of the Interior
DOT U.S. Department of Transportation
EDA U.S. Economic Development Administration
EPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency
FHWA Federal Highway Administration
FWS Fish and Wildlife Service
GSA General Services Administration
HUD U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
NFWF National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
NIDS Natural Infrastructure in Dryland Streams
NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NPS U.S. National Park Service
NRCS Natural Resources Conservation Service
OIA U.S. Department of the Interior Office of Insular Affairs
OSTP White House Office of Science and Technology Policy
ROI Return on Investment
USACE U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
USAID U.S. Agency for International Development
USCG U.S. Coast Guard
USDA U.S. Department of Agriculture
USFS U.S. Forest Service
USGS U.S. Geological Survey
NATURE- BASED SOLUTIONS RESOURCE GUIDE
6
Federal Stories:
Nature-Based Solutions in Action
Federal agencies have pioneered nature-based solutions on federal lands and waters, in federal
facilities, and in partnership with communities, companies, and Tribal, state, local, territorial and
other national governments. Examples are available from across the federal family,
demonstrating the broad relevance of nature-based solutions to a wide range of American
challenges and opportunities.
For example, nature-based solutions have been used to make federal buildings and assets more
resilient to natural hazards and climate impacts. These solutions have also been used to reduce
operation and management costs, like those for heating and cooling, and stormwater
management. Federal agencies have supported communities in their use of nature-based
solutions to provide many benefits, including to:
build resilient low-income housing
improve transportation safety
manage stormwater
reduce cooling costs
reduce heat stress
increase the lifetime of infrastructure
support good jobs
increase community engagement
improve worker satisfaction
slow climate change
adapt to climate impacts
reduce wildfire risk
provide recreational opportunities
reduce flooding, sea level rise, and erosion
risk to homes, roads, and other
infrastructure
slow land subsidence
improve mental and physical health
provide opportunities for nature education
support community values
improve water quality, clean water supplies
reduce future disaster risks
improve knowledge and evidence
protect culturally important sites,
experiences
conserve water supplies, reduce effects of
drought
provide a beneficial use of dredge material
reduce dredge and disposal costs
benefit local economies, support incomes
reduce business closures from flooding
respect Indigenous Knowledge
maintain Tribal and Native American
practices
support practices by private landowners
strengthen private landowner social
networks
create corridors for wildlife and connect
landscapes
support military operations and readiness
improve living conditions for military
service members
improve water clarity
engage volunteers
control invasive species
recharge groundwater
protect threatened and endangered species
reduce need for fertilizers, machinery use
reduce dust storms
improve college campus sustainability
NATURE- BASED SOLUTIONS RESOURCE GUIDE
7
reduce construction and maintenance costs
support food production
protect and rebuild natural habitats
support wildlife
overcome environmental injustices
conserve water
beautify landscapes
create school gardens and outdoor
classrooms
reduce heat island effects in cities
Nature-based solutions applied by federal agencies have included wetland restoration,
transportation and facility construction, coral reef protection, farm and forest management,
community development, school design, military base management, and beyond. The
deployment of nature-based solutions for so many uses by so many agencies with Tribal, state,
Territorial and local partners reflects decades of research and experimentation. These examples
demonstrate that well-designed nature-based solutions can be cost-effective, outlast conventional
options, be more resilient to the effects of climate change, and provide multiple benefits often
beyond what conventional options provide. A broad selection of examples of how the federal
government has used nature-based solutions follows. These stories are not exhaustive, but rather
demonstrate the range of scales and contexts where agencies have adopted nature-based
solutions.
AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps strengthens the nature-based solutions workforce
AmeriCorps serves as a modern-day Civilian Conservation Corps focused on tackling 21
st
century challenges, including environmental challenges, through a more diverse and equitable
lens. AmeriCorps works closely with other federal agencies, Governor-appointed State Service
Commissions, and non-profit partners. More than 16,000 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps
Seniors volunteers are engaged each year in conservation, renewable energy, and community
resilience projects. AmeriCorps is currently researching members’ climate knowledge and
literacy before and after participating in AmeriCorps’ National Civilian Community Corps
“Summer of Service.” AmeriCorps-funded service is categorized into six focus areas; many
members serve in the area of Environmental Stewardship, implementing a variety of nature-
based solutions. Across all of AmeriCorps’ focus areas, a large majority of members reported
higher likelihoods of discussing the effects of political, social, local, or national issues on the
community with their peers. Members also reported participating in their communities more after
having served in AmeriCorps. Higher confidence in their ability to adequately address
community concerns was also seen. These positive trends provide insight on workforce benefits
like education, skills-building, and community participation that come with investing in jobs,
including those focused on nature-based solutions and environmental stewardship.
Return on Investment Study: Nevada Conservation Corps
Since 1999, AmeriCorps has supported the work of the Nevada Conservation Corps, an
environmental service program supporting Nevada’s communities and public lands by deploying
NATURE- BASED SOLUTIONS RESOURCE GUIDE
8
forestry teams that use “natural infrastructure solutions” to reduce the severity of wildfires,
remove invasive species to increase benefits to society from ecosystems, and build and maintain
trails that provide health and recreational benefits. The program contributes to capacity building
and workforce development related to nature-based solutions. To better understand the impact of
the program, AmeriCorps commissioned a Return on Investment (ROI) analysis. Among the
benefits to various stakeholders measured in this study are reduced wildfire damage,
environmental benefits, and improved trail access. The ROI study also pioneered strategies for
monetizing outcomes associated with reduced greenhouse gas emissions and for discounting
ecosystem benefits over regrowth periods.
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
Natural Infrastructure for Water Security in Peru
Building on a series of smaller investments, the USAID/Peru Mission launched the Natural
Infrastructure for Water Security project in 2017. Multiple emergencies—including drought,
forest fires, floods and landslides—demonstrated Peru’s vulnerability to hydrological and
climatic extremes. By working with private companies, local authorities and water users, USAID
helped to develop a pipeline of natural infrastructure investment projects to ensure reliable,
climate resilient water supplies for urban water utilities that are sustainable, cost-effective, and
scalable. Through this program, USAID is: supporting nine Integrated Plans for Flood and
Landslide Management that will incorporate $15 million in natural infrastructure investments;
facilitating approval of the Lima Region water utility’s five-year Optimized Master Plan
including a one percent Payment for Ecosystem Services tariff; and catalyzing $8 million in
regional government investments. It also includes improving capacity and market access for
natural infrastructure linked value chains, including honey and dairy production, that improve
livelihoods for local communities and also increases the sustainability of nature-based solution
investments.
Climate-Resilient Ecosystems and Livelihoods in Bangladesh
The USAID/Bangladesh Mission is working with Bangladesh to address their high vulnerability
to climate stressors such as sea level rise, floods, droughts and other extreme weather events. The
Mission’s Climate-Resilient Ecosystems and Livelihoods project focused on conserving
biodiversity and strengthening ecosystems in four rural, biologically significant regions to help
communities adapt to climate change. From 2012-2018, the project helped local communities
across 30 protected area sites reduce climate risks to livelihoods and food security through
improved management and conservation of forest and wetland ecosystems. Additional nature-
based approaches to increase climate resilience of productivity and household livelihoods
included agroforestry, the conservation of natural buffers adjacent to farming plots, and
improvements in the management of wild fisheries that serve as safety nets during times of crop
failure. The activities helped 965 villages develop climate change adaptation and mitigation
plans that included nature-based approaches, and led to 17,000 households benefiting from
increases in fish catches.
NATURE- BASED SOLUTIONS RESOURCE GUIDE
9
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Central Sierra Recovery and Restoration Project
The southern Sierra Nevada in California is famous for iconic places like Yosemite Valley and
the giant sequoia groves. In the past several years, this area of the Sierra Nevada has lost tens of
millions of trees to wildfire. The USDA Joint Chiefs’ Landscape Restoration Partnership
invested in several nature-based solutions including prescribed fire treatments and removing
hazard trees in the wildland urban interface, a practice that is critical to reducing the threat of
catastrophic wildfire to local communities and sensitive habitats. Fuels reduction and prescribed
fire treatments were applied to more than 3,100 acres and helped create a defensible space for
firefighters to protect four communities during wildfires. The project supported rural economies
by reducing fire hazards to help sustain the tourism industry of the Sierra Nevada foothills. These
actions also improved habitat for at-risk species like the Pacific fisher, great grey owl, western
pond turtle, and foothill yellow-legged frog. In addition, local communities, roads, and active
restoration sites were aided by removing hazardous trees. The Landscape Restoration Partnership
enables the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) to
collaborate with agricultural producers and forest landowners to invest in conservation and
restoration at a big enough scale to make a difference.
Life from Soil: The Ranching Sustainability and Viability Planning Network
The goal of the Life from Soil project is to improve the ecological function of over 500,000 acres
of grasslands in Montana, Nebraska, and South Dakota by 2027. Participating ranchers agree to
nature-based solutions including zero conversion of their grasslands for ten years. They also
develop and implement a written grazing management plan, complete trainings on grazing
management, monitoring, and other topics, and participate in on-ranch ecological monitoring.
Ranchers are also enrolled in the World Wildlife Fund’s Ranch Systems and Viability Planning
Network, which creates a support system for ranchers interested in making ecological
improvements and enhancing the financial sustainability of their operations. These changes will
produce a variety of benefits for ranches including improved soil health and water filtration,
increased habitat for wildlife, the potential for reduced emissions through carbon storage and
sequestration, improved financial sustainability, and stronger social networks among ranchers.
The project leverages almost $3 million in partner contributions, including eight partner-funded
staff conservationists who provide technical assistance to ranchers.
U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Pointe au Chien Oyster Restoration Project
NOAA’s Regional Coastal Resilience Grants program aided the Pointe au Chien Tribe in
creating an oyster shell living shoreline, a type of nature-based solution. The living shoreline
restores a section of coast and protects a culturally important site along Louisiana’s Gulf Coast
NATURE- BASED SOLUTIONS RESOURCE GUIDE
from erosion due to wave action, tidal currents, and sea level rise. Several culturally important
Tribal earth mounds are located in the vicinity of the project site, which was actively eroding.
Many Tribal members make a living from fishing; therefore, a nature-based solutions approach
that improves local water quality and provides habitat for fish species is appealing. The area
historically supported oyster reefs as well, which have demonstrated effectiveness in stopping or
significantly reducing coastal erosion while improving water quality. Additionally, an oyster reef
living shoreline is less costly than conventional “hard” shoreline armoring techniques. Additional
benefits include improved habitat for fish, shellfish, and birds. The oyster restoration project,
installed in 2019, has reduced erosion and has withstood the impacts of multiple hurricanes. The
Tribe is pleased with the performance of the living shoreline and is looking to expand on this
method to protect other areas of their homeland.
Wetland Restoration for Ecosystem and Community Resilience in
He’eia O’ahu
On O’ahu’s Eastern Coast, 405 acres of wetlands and traditional Hawaiian agricultural practices
have been restored. These nature-based solutions were supported by NOAA funding,
administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) National Coastal Resilience
Fund. The project will reestablish ecological function in an area where eight streams once
converged and connected to the largest bay in the main Hawaiian Islands. The project aims to
minimize flood impacts, reduce sediment and nutrient runoff, create healthy habitat and fish
passage for marine and estuarine species, and serve as a source of cultural practice, food, and
clean water for the local community. Through the He’eia National Estuarine Research Reserve,
The Nature Conservancy, and relationships with partners with local and conventional
knowledge, the project is part of a decades-long effort. These partnership efforts ensure the work
is locally and culturally grounded and able to engage thousands of volunteers. The project team
developed a Before-After-Control-Impact monitoring approach to quantify the impacts of the
restoration activities on water and sediment flow, vegetation, and wildlife populations, allowing
for adaptive project management now and in the future.
U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA)
EDA’s Economic Integrator Catalyzes Interagency Investments in San Diego
Nestled between Balboa Park and the San Diego International Airport, Maple Canyon is a unique
green space that buffers business with nature inside San Diego’s sprawling urban core. When
flooding hit the canyon in 2017, a vast ecosystem of interdependent commercial enterprises,
transportation networks, and natural habitats was impacted. A $6 million EDA grant to the city
of San Diego was matched with $6 million in local investment to support the final design,
permitting, easement acquisition, and construction of vital infrastructure needed to protect San
Diego businesses. The project includes innovative nature-based solutions including upstream
improvements to reduce runoff and debris deposited into the city’s stormwater infrastructure.
These investments also mitigate the impact of flooding on local industry while enhancing
outdoor recreation and economic development opportunities for the region. Thanks to the
cooperation of federal, state, and local agencies—working with private sector partners—nearly
NATURE- BASED SOLUTIONS RESOURCE GUIDE
2,000 jobs dependent on the commercial-environmental ecosystem have been retained and an
important landscape in urban Southern California has been preserved.
U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)
Permeable Pavement and Rain Gardens for Stormwater Management
Permeable pavement was installed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord near Tacoma, Washington and
adjacent to Puget Sound. The use of roadside rain gardens and Eco-Priora permeable pavement
cleans and filters nearly 100% of stormwater runoff from one million square feet of surrounding
hardscape and reduces pollutants discharged into Puget Sound. Limiting runoff from the
installation allows Joint Base Lewis-McChord the flexibility to build and manage critical
impervious infrastructure as needed to support military operations, like the airfield. The project
also expanded a high traffic boulevard to make it more accessible and appealing to residents of
the installation. The use of permeable pavement for sidewalks reduces the amount of heat
absorbed by 35% and enabled the project to be constructed in winter when it is not feasible to
use asphalt. Wider, tree-lined sidewalks are also more appealing to the installation community
and visitors. Prioritizing stormwater filtration allowed for the installation to meet their goals of
accessibility improvement, livability improvement, and stormwater runoff management more
efficiently and sustainably.
MacDill Air Force Base (AFB) Shoreline Stabilization Project
MacDill AFB’s shoreline in Tampa, Florida suffered significant erosion that resulted in the loss
of shoreline and several native plant species, including century-old live oaks. It was estimated
the base was losing as much as one horizontal foot of shoreline annually. A multi-phase nature-
based solutions project is creating over 7,500 linear feet of oyster reefs, consisting of oyster shell
and concrete oyster domes, installed along the shoreline since 2003. The project has successfully
prevented erosion, attracted wildlife, and increased plant life. One oyster can filter up to five
gallons of water per hour, acting as a natural cleanser for the Tampa Bay and making the water
clearer and creating better habitat. The project is also cost-effective and is able to leverage
volunteer support, resulting in lower costs and enhanced community interest in shoreline
protection. Oyster reefs were chosen as the nature-based solution because they went beyond
erosion control to create habitats as a living shoreline. The reduced wave energy and
accumulated sediment encourages growth of native marsh grasses and mangroves, which further
stabilizes the shoreline, creates habitat, and improves the ecosystem.
Use of Farm Animals to Control Invasive Species
Two California-based AFBs (Beale and Travis) are using farm animals to rid base lands of non-
native invasive plants not easily managed by annual mowing. The effort is improving wildlife
habitat, saving money, and protecting military resources. Grazing leads to shorter grass than
mowing, improving habitat for federally-listed threatened species such as the California tiger
salamander. The shorter grass also substantially reduces fire risk. There are financial benefits as
well—the bases earn money from grazing leases while eliminating mowing costs and the need
for herbicides or machinery. This innovative nature-based solution was chosen because it was
NATURE- BASED SOLUTIONS RESOURCE GUIDE
cost-effective and beneficial to both the installations and the community, including community
ranchers. Bases are saving money, reducing fire risk, and enhancing habitat for threatened and
endangered species, all while the community benefits from reduced fire risk, improved habitat,
and, for ranchers, access to additional pasture for the animals they lease to the bases.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)
Restoration of Deer Island For Habitat and a Resilient Mississippi Sound
The Deer Island Restoration project aims to restore the 3.5-mile-long island off the coast of
Biloxi, Mississippi and to create long-term disposal capacity for material dredged from the
nearby Biloxi Harbor Navigation Project. Dredged material from a navigation channel in the
Biloxi Harbor was used at Deer Island to restore marsh, create habitat for terrestrial and aquatic
species, and increase resilience in the shoreline for future storm events. The project was
implemented using USACE’s Engineering with Nature principles and actively considered the
diverse needs of the community, including habitat health, water quality, safety, recreation, and
the economy. Additionally, the project reduces costs by limiting acquisition of new material and
the need for future dredging.
Santa Clara Pueblo Indigenous Knowledge in Action
USACE partnered with the Pueblo Tribal government and multiple federal agencies (e.g.,
FEMA, USDA, DOI, and EPA) to recover from the 2011 Las Conchas Wildfire and to reduce
future flood and disaster risk for local residents in the Santa Clara watershed. Indigenous
Knowledge was used to select culturally-appropriate approaches such as limiting access to sacred
spring locations and using locally available materials like tree transplants, logs, and other woody
and rock debris to construct control check dams at key locations in the watershed. Low-impact
nature-based solutions were prioritized to reduce the costs and impacts of greenhouse gas
emissions associated with using non-native techniques and materials. The solutions, informed by
Indigenous Knowledge, reduce flood risk, minimize disruption to fragile ecosystems, and protect
cultural resources and practices.
Constructing the Oro Loma Horizontal Levee on the South San Francisco
Bay Shoreline
In San Francisco Bay, nature-based solutions were constructed to filter wastewater, enhance the
resilience of the shoreline, mitigate flood risk from sea level rise, and improve water quality and
habitat for local animals and plants. A new wetland was constructed to serve as a horizontal
levee and was designed to dampen wave energy, reduce flood risk, and restore lost habitat. A wet
weather treatment basin uses vegetation and soils to help filter nutrients from wastewater through
biological uptake of nutrients as water flows through the horizontal levee. The use of nature-
based solutions provided a cost-effective means of maintaining the integrity of local waters by
refining partially treated wastewater. It also reduced flood risk by promoting a wetland as a
horizontal levee, leading to improved shoreline habitats that increase the resilience of coastal
communities.
NATURE- BASED SOLUTIONS RESOURCE GUIDE
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
The Southern Appalachian Man and the Biosphere Cooperative
The Oak Ridge Reservation participates in the Southern Appalachian Man and the Biosphere
Cooperative, a collective of land management agencies, scientists, and Tribal leaders that
supports sustainability-focused decision-making in the Southern Appalachian region. The Oak
Ridge National Environmental Research Park engages in conservation efforts with the Eastern
Band of Cherokee Indians through the Cooperative. As part of the partnership, the Culturally
Significant Plant Species Initiative helps conserve plants within the Reservation that are
culturally significant for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. The Laboratory also provides
expertise in regional natural resources, geographic information systems, data science, and
networking to plan the Extended Cultural Corridor, where natural area protection, set-asides, and
low-impact use are important components.
Revitalization of the Fernald Preserve in Hamilton, Ohio
DOE’s Office of Legacy Management manages the 1,050-acre Fernald Preserve, the habitat to
more than 245 species of birds and 100 nesting spots. Within the Preserve, the Office maintains
385 acres of grassland and a 7-mile network of trails, making the Preserve one of the largest
constructed wetland communities in Ohio. The main objectives in the Preserve are to maintain
and improve wetland, prairie, and forest habitats; increase wildlife diversity; improve
opportunities for birding; and to educate the public on successful ecological restoration. The
Preserve is the site of a former World War II facility that once produced high-purity uranium for
nuclear weapons. The Visitors Center, once a warehouse, is Ohio’s first Leadership in Energy
and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum facility and includes a ground source
heating/cooling system. The restoration of the site improves the natural quality and
environmental health of the community and provides educational and recreational opportunities
to the general public.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Rebuilding Oysters for The Town the Oyster Built”
The Staten Island community of Tottenville, historically known as “The Town the Oyster Built,”
was once protected by a series of oyster reefs, which in turn supported a robust oyster farming
industry. Siltation, overharvesting, channel dredging, and human pathogens in the water resulted
in the reefs’ collapse. To build coastal resilience and revive the oyster reefs, the community
received $60 million in Community Development Block Grant—Disaster Recovery funding to
construct 2,400 feet of nature-based solutions including near-shore breakwaters, partially
submerged stone, and ecologically enhanced concrete structures. These features will dampen
waves, reduce and reverse erosion, and provide habitats for oysters, tin fish, and other marine
species. These structures form a barrier that protects the existing oyster reefs from storm surge,
allowing them to grow and expand. Expanding the oyster reefs increases biodiversity and
improves water quality as oysters filter water. In contrast to hard infrastructure like flood walls
NATURE- BASED SOLUTIONS RESOURCE GUIDE
and dikes, which displace rising water to nearby vulnerable areas, the project’s necklace of
breakwaters with oyster reefs and other marine habitats slows water movement (rather than
redirect) and mitigates storm surges. The structures and reef area also provide educational and
recreational opportunities. Partners have developed a Living Breakwaters curriculum for students
in 6-8
th
grade science classes, and the project is seen as a model for community engagement and
climate-adaptive green infrastructure. It won both the HUD Rebuild by Design competition in
June 2014 and National Planning Achievement Award for Environmental Planning and is
featured often in the media.
Recreation and Flood Management Through Liberty Green Park
In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh used a $30 million
Choice Neighborhoods grant to transform 14,500 square feet of underutilized land into Liberty
Green Park. This greenspace was built to reduce flooding and provide recreation and gathering
space for the community. Local community members had long advocated for a safe, high-quality
recreational area after suffering from flash floods. The park is located on a plateau, which slopes
down to busy nearby thoroughfares where community members have drowned during past flood
events. To mitigate flood risk, the park contains a system of green infrastructure with native
plants, newly planted trees, and bioswales that absorb 4.5 million gallons of water from the park
and surrounding streets. This reduces flooding and slows rainwater such that sewage and
roadway toxins do not flow into nearby rivers. The park contains grass-topped play mounds and
is called a “super-playground,” as it contains the largest play area in Pittsburgh and provides
high-quality recreation to local neighborhoods. The park is a great example of how the Choice
Neighborhoods program invests in comprehensive neighborhood improvements rather than just
brick and mortar housing rehabilitation. It is also an example of how the program effectively
integrates community feedback in planning, design, and construction.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Stormwater Management and Recreation: Mirabeau Water Garden
In New Orleans, Louisiana, a FEMA Hazard Mitigation grant funded the construction of the
Mirabeau Water Garden in the Gentilly neighborhood. This urban stormwater park mitigates
flooding while providing additional benefits to the community, which has a high social
vulnerability
3
and is located entirely below sea level. This stormwater park integrates
bioretention with native vegetation to capture, store, and filter stormwater, thereby reducing
flooding and preventing land subsidence. The park has a water storage capacity of over 11
million gallons and should result in a 50 – 60% reduction in flood damages from a 2-year storm
event and 30 – 40% reduction in damages from a 10-year storm event. The flood reduction
3
Social vulnerability is the “susceptibility of social groups to the adverse impacts of natural hazards, including
disproportionate death, injury, loss, or disruption of livelihood”. More information can be found at
https://hazards.fema.gov/nri/social-vulnerability.
NATURE- BASED SOLUTIONS RESOURCE GUIDE
benefits have been calculated at nearly double the value of federal investment. The park features
recreation, health, and natural education amenities for the whole community to enjoy; reduces
the burden of flood control on local gray infrastructure; protects local homes; reduces heat stress;
and provides greenhouse gas mitigation benefits. The use of nature-based solutions also aligns
with the values of the community partners who donated the land for the park.
Nature-Based Mitigation to Adapt in an Era of Megafires
In Sonoma County, California, a FEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities grant
is supporting three pilot projects across 5,400 acres of the county to increase wildfire resilience.
The nature-based solutions in this project expand on a set of conventional approaches like fuel
reduction, building material choices, and preparedness and response planning typically applied at
a neighborhood or town scale. It combines outreach and engagement with individual property
owners to develop and implement a nature-based, landscape-scale approach to vegetation
management and fire fuel reduction. This includes trimming undergrowth, fuels reduction for
safe ingress and egress of emergency vehicles, and the creation of shaded green belts to serve as
fire breaks. The project will apply an innovative systems approach of “Inside-out, Outside-In”
that defines an inner core where property owners create and maintain defensible space and an
outer vegetated buffer to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire losses in the Wildland Urban
Interface through prevention and suppression. It is estimated that nearly 6,500 structures could
be protected across Sonoma County through this project, which is piloting a comprehensive,
holistic, landscape-scale approach that could be scaled into other high wildfire-risk areas.
Protecting Puerto Rico’s Rebuilt Roads with Nature-Based Solutions
In Puerto Rico, FEMA is working with the Puerto Rico Department of Transportation and Public
Works to enhance road resilience in the wake of Hurricane Maria. Using Public Assistance
mitigation funding, Vetiver grass, a non-invasive species, was planted alongside some of the
damaged roads across Puerto Rico to stabilize adjacent slopes and provide protection from future
erosion and landslides. FEMA staff created a template for this type of mitigation project to be
easily replicated for other damaged roads across the island. This nature-based solution was used
as an alternative to retaining walls, gabion baskets, and other conventional “gray infrastructure”
and provides environmental benefits, including water quality improvement and erosion control.
Cost-effective disaster resilience measures enable future risk reduction without large investments
from communities that lack time, money, or capacity for other projects. This nature-based
solution offers a relatively easy solution to mitigate road damage from natural disasters and
provides a cost-effective alternative to a conventional hard infrastructure solution for erosion
control that can be scaled across the Caribbean and in other flood-prone areas of the United
States.
U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)
Incorporating nature-based solutions into the USCG Headquarters
The USCG headquarters complex was the first phase of a broader consolidation of the DHS
headquarters at St. Elizabeth’s West Campus. A number of nature-based solutions were deployed
NATURE- BASED SOLUTIONS RESOURCE GUIDE
in the construction of the complex, including green roofs, bioswales, rain gardens, wetland
shelves with a large retention pond, and the replication of local ecosystems through constructed
soils and native plant palettes. The USCG notes several environmental and social benefits that
informed its use of nature-based solutions in the headquarters' design, including increased
biodiversity with woody shrubs and tree planting; reduced heat island effect by upwards of 15-
degrees Fahrenheit; conservation of nearly 520,000 gallons of potable water from the District of
Columbia reservoir; a 400% increase in carbon sequestration; and increased worker satisfaction
for individuals working in the complex.
U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI)
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)
Delaware River Basin Restoration Program
In 2016, Congress authorized the Delaware River Basin Restoration Program, implemented by
FWS, to advance collaborative partner conservation to support the Delaware River and its
watershed. The Program provides funding for individual projects with a focus on reducing
flooding and runoff, restoring fish and wildlife habitats, improving water quality, and enhancing
public recreational access. As a pilot for increasing equity, the projects also address racial and
economic disparities in access to nature and conservation outcomes by ensuring that 47 percent
of these projects will impact a community in which residents have been denied access to natural
resources in the past. In just five years, the Program has become a model for voluntary,
incentive-driven approaches to landscape conservation that builds upon and strengthens existing
partnerships. In recognition of the Program’s success, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provided
another $26 million to FWS available over five years for implementation of the Delaware River
Basin Restoration Program. In 2022, the program expects to fund 12 additional projects totaling
$4.7 million and leverage an approximately equal amount of matching funds. These projects will
support innovative uses of nature-based solutions to improve wildlife habitat, sustain ecological
functions in the face of climate change, and directly engage communities.
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
Restoration Collaborative Rehydrates Arid Landscapes and Conserves
Biodiversity
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is working with a bi-national, community-based
collaboration of government and non-governmental organizations, private landowners, ranchers,
students, volunteers, scientists, and land managers to improve restoration outcomes across the
Madrean Sky Islands. This is a 56-million acre mountainous, pine-oak woodland region
stretching across the border between Arizona and Mexico. The disadvantaged “Colonias”
neighborhoods within 150 miles of the US-Mexico border have inadequate housing, lack sewer
and water infrastructure, and subsist on below average household incomes. The USGS
investigated the restoration benefits of low-cost, low-tech, rock detention structures installed in
dryland streams. Rock detention structures, as well as beaver dams, are nature-based solutions
NATURE- BASED SOLUTIONS RESOURCE GUIDE
that can restore natural watershed dynamics and nutrient cycles in arid ecosystems, creating and
restoring wetland-like environments. Such examples of Natural Infrastructure in Dryland
Streams (NIDS) have been shown to provide flood regulation, new and restored habitat, stream
flow regulation, water purification, erosion control, groundwater recharge, and carbon
sequestration and storage. NIDS also supports adaptation to and protection from climate-related
disturbances and stressors such as drought, water shortages, flooding, heatwaves, dust storms,
wildfire, and biodiversity losses, while also addressing aspects of food and water insecurity.
Wildfire and Climate Resilience on the San Carlos Apache Reservation
USGS is working with the San Carlos Apache Tribe (SCAT) to identify parts of the SCAT
reservation more vulnerable to wildfire. The collaboration has worked to identify restoration
activities to improve climate resilience. The USGS used satellite imagery and watershed
modelling to help the Tribe’s natural resource managers prioritize areas for firebreak and water
detention installations along large rivers. The results have demonstrated that such nature-based
solutions can boost resilience to wildfire by increasing water availability and reducing water
stress, while also preventing post-fire flooding and erosion. The Forest Resources Department
within the San Carlos Apache Tribe is engaged in preventative thinning of vegetation and
resource-benefit burns, which USGS has also shown to reduce wildfire intensity. The USFS is
now using this guidance to consider expanding similar nature-based practices to Ancestral Lands
in collaboration with the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA).
U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
Building Nature-based Resilience for Coastal Highways through Federal and
State Partnerships
FHWA sponsored a pilot project with the Delaware Department of Transportation to increase the
resilience of coastal highways using nature-based solutions. The project focused on State Route
1, a 17-mile stretch of highway already experiencing flooding and erosion due to sea level rise.
The Delaware Center for the Inland Bays worked with private designers and contractors to
complete a resilience project that included nature-based solutions: a living shoreline, upgraded
storm drain outfalls, and a permeable pavement installation. These nature-based solutions
reinforced one of Delawares major transportation arteries, protecting both critical transportation
infrastructure and the drivers who use State Route 1. The FHWA has also scaled up work on
nature-based solutions through strategic partnerships with federal and state agencies to sponsor
and promote additional research and technical information. A FHWA partnership with NOAA on
the Effects of Sea Level Rise Program couples the best coastal science on nature-based solutions
with the best science on pavement deterioration from inundation and assesses the effectiveness
of coastal nature-based solutions on increasing resilience for highway pavements. This
partnership improves the understanding of how nature-based solutions can be deployed to protect
critical transportation infrastructure and the drivers who use it.
NATURE- BASED SOLUTIONS RESOURCE GUIDE
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Engaging Students with the Campus RainWorks Challenge
Since 2011, the Campus RainWorks Challenge, a green infrastructure design competition, has
sought to engage young environmental professionals at American colleges and universities by
promoting and showcasing innovative stormwater management techniques and the benefits of
green infrastructure. Green infrastructure practices advanced by the Campus RainWorks
Challenge have included green roofs, permeable materials, tree plantings, restored habitat areas,
rain gardens, and rain harvesting systems. Beyond water quality benefits, these solutions provide
benefits including climate resilience, greenhouse gas sequestration, water conservation, reduction
of heat island effects, and the beautification of campus landscapes. The competition has engaged
over 800 multi-disciplinary teams from over 270 colleges and universities to foster collaboration
and, in some cases, implement real design changes to campuses that improve community access
to green space. For example, in 2020, a team from the University of Pennsylvania proposed a
design for greenspace which included raised garden beds and an outdoor classroom that was
constructed at a West Philadelphia elementary school.
Greening America’s Communities
The Greening America’s Communities program provides design assistance to communities
wanting to use nature-based solutions to develop a vision for neighborhood design that protects
the environment, public health, and the economy while inspiring changes to better support
sustainable growth. Since 2010, the program has assisted 41 communities in funding nature-
based solutions, including nearly $1 million spent on green street improvements that spurred
downtown redevelopment in Lincoln, Nebraska and $1.3 million invested in transforming
blighted areas of Selma, Alabama into the urban Montgomery Trail. Frankfort, Kentucky is
coupling a $1.5 million Greening America’s Communities grant with an $8 million TIGER grant
from DOT to invest in green infrastructure. Austin, Texas will invest $2 billion over the next 15
years in nature-based solutions around the city. The nature-based solutions invested in through
the Greening America’s Communities program include rain gardens, shade trees, permeable
paving, and other green street designs that support all modes of transportation. This program
boosts local economies and resilience to climate change while reducing stormwater runoff and
heat island effects.
San Francisco National Estuaries Program: Transforming Shorelines
In the San Francisco Bay Area, Transforming Shorelines is a project that is advancing nature-
based solutions and building capacity for innovative approaches linked to wastewater treatment
as a way to create resilience to sea level rise. Wastewater treatment plants, typically built at the
bottom of watersheds to allow gravity to bring in the influent, are at extreme risk of sea level rise
and are facing potential nutrient pollution caps on their discharges under the Clean Water Act. In
the San Francisco Bay Area, the wastewater treatment sector as a whole has collectively invested
in data gathering to maximize investment in nutrient control technologies and invested in
innovative approaches to attempt to build horizontal levees on the shorelines in front of their
systems to provide flood protection, habitat restoration, and nutrient removal through subsurface
NATURE- BASED SOLUTIONS RESOURCE GUIDE
discharges. This effort has created a forum for practitioners and experts on nature-based
solutions, including representatives from wastewater treatment, resiliency and nutrient managers,
regulators, and experts involved in habitat restoration. Project partners are supporting permit
applications for the first full-scale application of a multi-benefit vegetated levee receiving
nitrified secondary-treated wastewater in the City of Hayward. Project partners with the City of
San Leandro are preparing designs, permit applications, and environmental documentation for
the restoration of a 4.3-acre wastewater storage basin to create a multi-benefit treatment wetland.
They are also developing a community-based shoreline resilience and tidal marsh restoration
vision for the surrounding area.
NATURE- BASED SOLUTIONS RESOURCE GUIDE
Current Federal Resources, Tools, Guidance,
and Technical Assistance
Through a call to agencies, a wide range of current federal resources on nature-based solutions,
developed by federal agencies, entities, and their collaborators, were identified and categorized
by the benefits addressed and by resource type (Table 1). Inclusion of these resources does not
signify endorsement of the product, but agencies and partners are encouraged to consider them as
potential tools. Each federal resource was identified as a form of knowledge, guidance, tools,
and/or technical assistance.
Knowledge resources provide summaries of the current scientific understanding of nature-
based solutions and their benefits.
Guidance resources provide specific information on how to design and execute nature-
based solutions projects.
Tools are any interactive media used for the advancement of nature-based solutions projects.
Technical assistance resources help work through administrative and technical aspects of
nature-based solution projects, including permitting and funding applications.
Based on the resource review (Figure 1), most existing resources provide general knowledge like
case studies and process overviews. Fewer resources provide the tools, guidance, and technical
assistance needed for implementation. Most of the available federal resources address risk
reduction and resilience, with a primary focus on coastal flooding. Gaps remain for other
increasingly frequent catastrophic events (e.g., inland flooding, fire, drought, extreme heat).
Figure 1. Summary of federal resources available to support the use
of nature-based solutions for several benefits.
NATURE- BASED SOLUTIONS RESOURCE GUIDE
Table 1. Current federal resources on nature-based solutions, categorized by their
resource type and stated benefit(s)
Author(s) Resource Title Resource Type Benefits Addressed
AmeriCorps
Impact Evaluation on EarthCorps
Restoration Methods
Knowledge
Jobs, Water, Nature
AmeriCorps
Impact Evaluation on WA
Conservation Corps Restoration
Methods
Knowledge
Nature
CEQ/GSA
Supporting the Health of Honey
Bees and Other Pollinators
Knowledge,
Guidance
Community Development, Food, Nature
Cities of Service/AmeriCorps
What Does Effective Engagement
Look Like? Lessons from
Resilience AmeriCorps
Knowledge
Jobs, Inland Flood Reduction, Heat Risk
Reduction, Adaptation, Resilience,
Community Development, Water
DHS (FEMA)
Building Community Resilience
with Nature-Based Solutions: A
Guide for Local Communities
Guidance
Jobs, Climate Mitigation, Coastal Flood
Reduction, Inland Flood Reduction, Heat
Risk Reduction, Infrastructure Resilience,
Community Development, Water,
Recreation, Health, Nature
DHS (FEMA)
Compiled Resources on Future
Conditions and Nature-based
Solutions, Including from NOAA
and EPA
Knowledge
Jobs, Climate Mitigation, Coastal Flood
Reduction, Inland Flood Reduction, Heat
Risk Reduction, Drought Risk Reduction,
Community Development, Water,
Recreation, Health, Nature
DHS (FEMA)
Nature-based Solutions Website
Knowledge,
Guidance
Climate Mitigation, Fire Risk Reduction,
Coastal Flood Reduction, Inland Flood
Reduction, Heat Risk Reduction, Drought
NATURE- BASED SOLUTIONS RESOURCE GUIDE
Author(s) Resource Title Resource Type Benefits Addressed
Risk Reduction, Infrastructure Resilience,
Adaptation, Resilience
DOC (NOAA)
Coastal County Snapshots
Tools
Coastal Flood Reduction, Inland Flood
Reduction
DOC (NOAA)
Coastal Flood Exposure Mapper
Tools
Coastal Flood Reduction, Infrastructure
Resilience, Equity, Water, Nature
DOC (NOAA)
Coral reef restoration monitoring
guide: Methods to evaluate
restoration success from local to
ecosystem scales
Guidance
Coastal Flood Reduction, Recreation,
Nature
DOC (NOAA)
Digital Coast Peer to Peer Case
Studies
Knowledge,
Guidance, Tools,
Technical
Assistance
Coastal Flood Reduction, Inland Flood
Reduction, Infrastructure Resilience,
Equity, Community Development, Water
DOC (NOAA)
Economic Guidance for Coastal
Management Professionals
Tools, Technical
Assistance
Climate Mitigation, Fire Risk Reduction,
Coastal Flood Reduction, Inland Flood
Reduction, Heat Risk Reduction, Drought
Risk Reduction, Infrastructure Resilience,
Adaptation, Resilience, Equity,
Community Development, Water, Food &
Products, Recreation, Health
DOC (NOAA)
Economic Valuation of Shoreline
Protection within the Jacques
Cousteau National Estuarine
Research Reserve
Knowledge
Coastal Flood Reduction
NATURE- BASED SOLUTIONS RESOURCE GUIDE
Author(s) Resource Title Resource Type Benefits Addressed
DOC (NOAA)
Economic Valuation Self-Guided
Module and Associated guidance
documents
Knowledge,
Guidance,
Technical
Assistance
Climate Mitigation, Fire Risk Reduction,
Coastal Flood Reduction, Inland Flood
Reduction, Heat Risk Reduction, Drought
Risk Reduction, Infrastructure Resilience,
Adaptation, Resilience, Equity,
Community Development, Water, Food &
Products, Recreation, Health
DOC (NOAA)
Fast Facts on Natural Infrastructure
Knowledge
Coastal Flood Reduction, Inland Flood
Reduction, Water
DOC (NOAA)
Funding and Financing Coastal
Resilience Webinars
Knowledge,
Technical
Assistance
Coastal Flood Reduction
DOC (NOAA)
Funding and Financing: Options
and Considerations for Coastal
Resilience Projects
Guidance
Coastal Flood Reduction, Water, Nature
DOC (NOAA)
Green Infrastructure Effectiveness
Database
Tools,
Knowledge
Climate Mitigation, Coastal Flood
Reduction, Inland Flood Reduction,
Infrastructure Resilience, Water, Food &
Products
DOC (NOAA)
Green Infrastructure Mapping
Guide
Guidance,
Technical
Assistance
Coastal Flood Reduction, Inland Flood
Reduction, Infrastructure Resilience,
Water
DOC (NOAA)
Green Infrastructure Options to
Reduce Flooding
Guidance
Coastal Flood Reduction, Inland Flood
Reduction, Drought Risk Reduction,
Infrastructure Resilience, Water,
Recreation, Nature
NATURE- BASED SOLUTIONS RESOURCE GUIDE
Author(s) Resource Title Resource Type Benefits Addressed
DOC (NOAA)
Guidance for Considering the Use
of Living Shorelines
Guidance
Coastal Flood Reduction, Nature
DOC (NOAA)
How to Map Open Space for
Community Rating System Credit
Knowledge,
Guidance,
Technical
Assistance
Coastal Flood Reduction, Inland Flood
Reduction
DOC (NOAA)
NOAA Restoration Center:
Monitoring and Evaluation for
Restoration Projects
Providing Technical Support for
Habitat Restoration Efforts
Guidance,
Technical
Assistance
Coastal Flood Reduction, Inland Flood
Reduction, Water
DOC (NOAA)
Nature-Based Solutions for Coastal
Hazards
Guidance,
Technical
Assistance
Coastal Flood Reduction
DOC (NOAA)
Nature-Based Solutions for Coastal
Hazards: The Basics
Knowledge,
Tools
Coastal Flood Reduction, Water,
Recreation, Nature
DOC (NOAA)
Nature-Based Solutions: Benefits,
Costs, and Economic Assessments
Knowledge,
Guidance
Climate Mitigation, Coastal Flood
Reduction, Inland Flood Reduction, Heat
Risk Reduction, Water, Recreation,
Health, Nature
DOC (NOAA)
NOAA Living Shorelines Project
Map
Knowledge
Coastal Flood Reduction, Nature
DOC (NOAA)
Oyster Reef Habitat Conservation
Guidance, Tools
Coastal Flood Reduction, Water, Food &
Products, Nature
NATURE- BASED SOLUTIONS RESOURCE GUIDE
Author(s) Resource Title Resource Type Benefits Addressed
DOC (NOAA)
Planning for Sea Level Rise in the
Northeast: Considerations for the
Implementation of Tidal Wetlands
Habitat Restoration Projects;
workshop report
Guidance
Coastal Flood Reduction, Recreation,
Nature
DOC (NOAA)
Science-Based Restoration
Monitoring of Coastal Habitat
Volume 1 (2003): Framework for
Monitoring Plans Under the
Estuaries and Clean Water Act of
2000
Guidance,
Technical
Assistance
Coastal Flood Reduction, Water, Food &
Products, Recreation, Nature
DOC (NOAA)
Science-Based Restoration
Monitoring of Coastal Habitat
Volume 2 (2005): Tools for
Monitoring Coastal Habitats
Guidance,
Technical
Assistance
Coastal Flood Reduction
DOC (NOAA)
Sea Level Rise Viewer Marsh
Migration Data
Tools
Coastal Flood Reduction
DOC (NOAA)
Restoration Atlas
Tools
Nature
DOC (NOAA)/EPA
Coastal & Waterfront Smart
Growth
Knowledge,
Tools
Jobs, Climate Mitigation, Coastal Flood
Reduction, Inland Flood Reduction,
Infrastructure Resilience, Community
Development, Water, Food & Products,
Recreation, Health, Nature
DOC (NOAA)/DOI (USGS,
FWS)
Federal Interagency Nature‐like
Fishway Passage Design Guidelines
for Atlantic Coast Diadromous
Fishes
Guidance
Jobs, Food & Products, Recreation, Nature
NATURE- BASED SOLUTIONS RESOURCE GUIDE
Author(s) Resource Title Resource Type Benefits Addressed
DOD
Highlights and Examples for the
Department of Defense Climate
Adaptation Plan
Knowledge
Fire Risk Reduction, Coastal Flood
Reduction, Inland Flood Reduction, Heat
Risk Reduction, Drought Risk Reduction,
Infrastructure Resilience
DOD
Readiness and Environmental
Protection Integration Program
(REPI) Climate Resilience
Resource Library
Knowledge,
Guidance, Tools,
Technical
Assistance
Fire Risk Reduction, Coastal Flood
Reduction, Inland Flood Reduction, Heat
Risk Reduction, Drought Risk Reduction,
Infrastructure Resilience, Nature
DOD
Building Resilience to Climate
Change Through Off-Base Natural
Infrastructure Solutions: A REPI
guide for installations and partners
Guidance, Tools
Fire Risk Reduction, Coastal Flood
Reduction, Inland Flood Reduction, Heat
Risk Reduction, Drought Risk Reduction,
Infrastructure Resilience, Nature
DOD (USACE)
Engineering with Nature:
Supporting Mission resilience and
infrastructure value at Department
of Defense installations
Knowledge
Infrastructure Resilience, Nature
DOD (USACE)
Engineering with Nature: An Atlas
Series (Volumes 1 and 2)
Knowledge,
Guidance, Tools
Jobs, Climate Mitigation, Fire Risk
Reduction, Coastal Flood Reduction,
Inland Flood Reduction, Heat Risk
Reduction, Drought Risk Reduction,
Infrastructure Resilience, Community
Development, Water, Food & Products,
Recreation, Health, Nature
DOD (USACE)
Flood Plain Management Services
Technical
Assistance
Coastal Flood Reduction, Inland Flood
Reduction
NATURE- BASED SOLUTIONS RESOURCE GUIDE
Author(s) Resource Title Resource Type Benefits Addressed
DOD (USACE)
Natural Infrastructure Opportunities
Tool
Tools
Coastal Flood Reduction, Inland Flood
Reduction, Infrastructure Resilience,
Adaptation, Resilience, Water, Nature
DOD (USACE)
Planning Assistance to States, U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, New
England District
Technical
Assistance
Drought Risk Reduction, Water
DOD (USACE)
Use of Natural and Nature-based
Features (NNBF) for Coastal
Resilience
Knowledge,
Guidance
Jobs, Climate Mitigation, Fire Risk
Reduction, Coastal Flood Reduction,
Inland Flood Reduction, Infrastructure
Resilience, Community Development,
Water, Food & Products, Recreation,
Nature
DOD (USACE)
USACE Sand Availability and
Needs Determination (SAND)
Knowledge
Jobs, Coastal Flood Reduction,
Infrastructure Resilience, Recreation,
Nature
DOD (USACE)/ DOI(USGS)
(with the State of Alabama)
Alabama Barrier Island Restoration
Assessment
Knowledge,
Guidance
Coastal Flood Reduction, Health, Nature
DOE
Energy Communities IWG
Technical
Assistance
Jobs, Equity, Community Development
DOI
Office of Insular Affairs Technical
Assistance Program
Technical
Assistance
Infrastructure Resilience, Adaptation,
Resilience, Community Development,
Nature
DOI (BIA)
Tribal Climate Resilience
Technical
Assistance
Adaptation, Resilience
NATURE- BASED SOLUTIONS RESOURCE GUIDE
Author(s) Resource Title Resource Type Benefits Addressed
DOI (BOEM)
BOEM Marine Minerals
Information Systems (MMIS)
Knowledge,
Tools
Coastal Flood Reduction, Water, Nature
DOI (BOEM)
Fact Sheet: Marine Minerals
Information System (MMIS)
Knowledge
Coastal Flood Reduction, Water, Nature
DOI (BOEM)
BOEM Marine Minerals Overview
Knowledge
Coastal Flood Reduction, Water, Nature
DOI (BOEM)
BOEM Marine Minerals Program
Knowledge
Coastal Flood Reduction, Nature
DOI (BOEM)
Marine Mineral Studies
Knowledge
Health, Nature
DOI (BOEM)
Economic and Geomorphic
Comparison of OCS and Nearshore
Sand for Coastal Restoration
Projects
Knowledge
Coastal Flood Reduction, Nature
DOI (FWS)
The Beaver Restoration Guidebook
Knowledge,
Guidance,
Technical
Assistance
Climate Mitigation, Inland Flood
Reduction, Fire Risk Reduction, Nature
DOI (FWS)
Biological Carbon Sequestration
Accomplishments Report
Knowledge
Climate Mitigation, Fire Risk Reduction,
Resilience, Nature
DOI (FWS)
Coastal Program
Technical
Assistance
Climate Mitigation, Coastal Flood
Reduction, Resilience, Nature
DOI (FWS)
Culvert Design Guidelines for
Ecological Function
Knowledge,
Guidance,
Technical
Assistance
Climate Mitigation, Inland Flood
Reduction, Nature
NATURE- BASED SOLUTIONS RESOURCE GUIDE
Author(s) Resource Title Resource Type Benefits Addressed
DOI (FWS)
Farm Bill Conservation Programs
Brochure
Knowledge,
Guidance,
Technical
Assistance
Climate Mitigation, Drought Risk
Reduction, Resilience, Food & Products,
Nature
DOI (FWS)
National Fish Passage Program
Technical
Assistance
Nature
DOI (FWS)
Partners for Fish and Wildlife
Program
Technical
Assistance
Climate Mitigation, Coastal Flood
Reduction, Resilience, Nature
DOI (FWS)
USFWS Pollinator Initiative
Guidance
Knowledge
Climate Mitigation, Fire Risk Reduction,
Drought Risk Reduction, Resilience, Food
& Products, Nature
DOI (FWS)
Urban Wildlife Conservation
Program
Knowledge,
Technical
Assistance
Climate Mitigation, Coastal Flood
Reduction, Inland Flood Reduction, Heat
Risk Reduction, Drought Risk Reduction,
Equity, Food & Products, Recreation,
Health, Nature
DOI (FWS)
Salt Marsh Sediment Augmentation
to combat sea-level rise
Technical
Assistance
Coastal Flood Reduction, Nature
DOI (FWS, USGS)
Report: Impacts of Sediment
Removal from and Placement in
Coastal Barrier Island Systems
Knowledge
Coastal Flood Reduction, Nature
DOI (NPS)
Coastal Adaptation Strategies
Handbook
Knowledge,
Guidance
Coastal Flood Reduction, Infrastructure
Resilience, Nature
DOI (NPS)
Fire Island National Seashore
Breach Management Plan/EIS
Knowledge
Equity, Water, Nature
NATURE- BASED SOLUTIONS RESOURCE GUIDE
Author(s) Resource Title Resource Type Benefits Addressed
DOI (NPS)
National Park Service Beach
Nourishment Guidance
Guidance
Coastal Flood Reduction, Inland Flood
Reduction, Recreation, Nature
DOI (NPS)
Northeast Coastal and Barrier
Network Geomorphological
Monitoring Protocol
Guidance
Nature
DOI (NPS)
Planning Tools for Green
Infrastructure
Guidance, Tools
Climate Mitigation, Coastal Flood
Reduction, Inland Flood Reduction,
Infrastructure Resilience, Water, Nature
DOI (NPS)
Planning for a changing climate
Guidance
Coastal Flood Reduction, Infrastructure
Resilience, Nature
DOI (USGS)
A geological perspective on the
degradation and conservation of
western Atlantic coral reefs
Knowledge
Coastal Flood Reduction, Nature
DOI (USGS)
Ancient Methods of Preventing
Desertification and Recovering
from Drought
Knowledge,
Guidance, Tools
Drought Risk Reduction, Infrastructure
Resilience, Water, Nature
DOI (USGS)
Biological Carbon Sequestration
(Western U.S.)
Biological Carbon Sequestration
(Eastern U.S.)
Knowledge
Climate Mitigation
DOI (USGS)
Coastal Storms - Prediction of
Flooding Now and Into the Future
Tools
Jobs, Coastal Flood Reduction,
Infrastructure Resilience
NATURE- BASED SOLUTIONS RESOURCE GUIDE
Author(s) Resource Title Resource Type Benefits Addressed
DOI (USGS)
Coastal Wetlands Synthesis
Knowledge
Climate Mitigation, Coastal Flood
Reduction, Nature
DOI (USGS)
Estuary Restoration and
Wildlife/Carbon Storage Co-
Benefits
Knowledge
Climate Mitigation, Nature
DOI (USGS)
Evaluating tidal saline wetland
migration along the U.S. Gulf of
Mexico coast under alternative sea-
level rise and urbanization
scenarios
Knowledge
Coastal Flood Reduction, Infrastructure
Resilience, Nature
DOI (USGS)
USGS Coastal Change Hazards
Portal
Tools
Coastal Flood Reduction, Nature
DOI (USGS)
U.S. Geological Survey monitor
barrier islands
Tools
Coastal Flood Reduction, Nature
DOI (USGS)
Green infrastructure in the Great
Lakes
Knowledge,
Guidance
Infrastructure Resilience, Water, Nature
DOI (USGS)
Green Infrastructure Projects
Knowledge,
Guidance, Tools
Inland Flood Reduction, Drought Risk
Reduction, Adaptation, Resilience, Water,
Health, Nature
DOI (USGS)
Green Stormwater Infrastructure to
Reduce Suburban Runoff
Knowledge
Inland Flood Reduction, Adaptation,
Resilience, Water, Health, Nature
DOI (USGS)
Hazards Exposure and Reporting
Analytics
Guidance, Tools
Inland Flood Reduction, Infrastructure
Resilience, Equity, Community
Development, Water, Recreation, Health,
Nature
NATURE- BASED SOLUTIONS RESOURCE GUIDE
Author(s) Resource Title Resource Type Benefits Addressed
DOI (USGS)
Impacts of Sediment Removal from
and Placement in Coastal Barrier
Island Systems
Knowledge
Coastal Flood Reduction, Nature
DOI (USGS)
Improving Wildlife Habitat by
Restoring Wetland Invertebrates
Knowledge
Nature
DOI (USGS)
Assessing pollinator habitat
services to optimize conservation
programs
Knowledge
Food & Products, Nature
DOI (USGS)
Marshes and Mangroves as Nature-
Based Coastal Storm Buffers
Knowledge
Coastal Flood Reduction
DOI (USGS)
National Assessment of Geologic
Carbon Dioxide Storage
ResourcesResults
Knowledge,
Guidance
Climate Mitigation
DOI (USGS)
National Climate Change Viewer
Knowledge,
Tools
Fire Risk Reduction, Inland Flood
Reduction, Heat Risk Reduction, Drought
Risk Reduction, Infrastructure Resilience,
Water, Food & Products, Recreation,
Health, Nature
DOI (USGS)
National Shoreline Change -
Exploring Shoreline Positions of
the United States From the 1800s
To the Present
Tools
Coastal Flood Reduction
DOI (USGS)
Natural Infrastructure to Enhance
Fire and Climate Resilience in
Tribal Lands and Watersheds
Knowledge
Fire Risk Reduction, Adaptation,
Resilience, Water, Nature
DOI (USGS)
Natural Infrastructure in Dryland
Streams to Reverse Desertification
Knowledge
Drought Risk Reduction, Equity, Water,
Health
NATURE- BASED SOLUTIONS RESOURCE GUIDE
Author(s) Resource Title Resource Type Benefits Addressed
DOI (USGS)
Natural Solutions to Ecological and
Economic Problems Caused by
Extreme Precipitation Events
Knowledge
Inland Flood Reduction, Adaptation,
Resilience, Water
DOI (USGS)
Protected Areas Database of the
United States (PAD-US)
Knowledge,
Tools
Jobs, Recreation, Health, Nature
DOI (USGS)
Real-time Forecasts of Coastal
Change
Tools
Coastal Flood Reduction
DOI (USGS)
Rigorously Valuing the Potential
Coastal Hazard Risk Reduction
Provided by Coral Reef Restoration
in Florida and Puerto Rico
Knowledge
Coastal Flood Reduction, Nature
DOI (USGS)
Sea-Level Change: An Interactive
Guide to Global and Regional Sea
Level Rise Scenarios for the United
States
Tools
Coastal Flood Reduction, Nature
DOI (USGS)
The Role of U.S. Coral Reefs in
Coastal Protection
Knowledge
Coastal Flood Reduction, Nature
DOI (USGS)
Reducing Urban Heat with Tree
Canopy
Knowledge
Climate Mitigation, Adaptation,
Resilience, Equity, Health
DOI (USGS)
Restoration of Freshwater Mussels
to Improve Water Quality
Knowledge
Water, Health, Nature
DOI (USGS)
Restoring America’s Sagebrush
Biome
Knowledge,
Guidance
Adaptation, Resilience, Recreation, Nature
DOI (USGS)
Restoring Coastal Wetlands to
Enhance Climate Change
Mitigation
Knowledge
Climate Mitigation, Coastal Flood
Reduction
NATURE- BASED SOLUTIONS RESOURCE GUIDE
Author(s) Resource Title Resource Type Benefits Addressed
DOI (USGS)
River Restoration to Mitigate
Shoreline Erosion
Knowledge,
Guidance, Tools
Jobs, Coastal Flood Reduction, Inland
Flood Reduction, Water, Health, Food &
Products, Nature
DOI (USGS)
Traditional Landscape Management
Contributes to Wildfire Resilience
Knowledge
Climate Mitigation, Fire Risk Reduction,
Nature
DOI (USGS)
U.S Geological Survey Wildland
Fire Science Strategic Plan
Knowledge
Climate Mitigation, Fire Risk Reduction
DOI (USGS)
USGS Integrated Drought Science
Knowledge,
Tools
Drought Risk Reduction, Infrastructure
Resilience, Water
DOI (USGS, FWS)
Monitoring Habitat Restoration
Projects: U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Pacific Region Partners for Fish
and Wildlife Program and Coastal
Program Protocol
Guidance
Nature
DOT (FHWA)
White Paper: Nature‐Based
Solutions for Coastal Highway
Resilience
Knowledge
Coastal Flood Reduction, Infrastructure
Resilience, Nature
DOT (FHWA)
Nature-Based Solutions for Coastal
Highway Resilience: An
Implementation Guide
Knowledge,
Guidance
Coastal Flood Reduction, Infrastructure
Resilience, Nature
DOT (FHWA)
Case Studies in Realizing Co-
Benefits of Multimodal Roadway
Design and Gray and Green
Infrastructure
Knowledge
Inland Flood Reduction, Infrastructure
Resilience, Water, Recreation, Health
DOT (FHWA)
Peer Exchange Summary Report -
Nature-Based Solutions for Coastal
Highway Resilience
Knowledge
Coastal Flood Reduction, Infrastructure
Resilience, Nature
NATURE- BASED SOLUTIONS RESOURCE GUIDE
Author(s) Resource Title Resource Type Benefits Addressed
EPA
Brownfields Technical Assistance,
Training, and Research
Technical
Assistance
Equity, Community Development,
Recreation, Health, Nature
EPA
Build Green Infrastructure
Guidance, Tools
Climate Mitigation, Inland Flood
Reduction, Infrastructure Resilience,
Water, Nature
EPA
Clearinghouse for Environmental
Finance
Tools
Adaptation, Resilience, Water, Food &
Products, Nature
EPA
Community-Based Public-Private
Partnerships and Alternative
Market-Based Tools for Integrated
Green Stormwater Infrastructure:
Guide for Local Governments
Guidance
Infrastructure Resilience, Water
EPA
Drinking Water State Revolving
Fund Eligibility Handbook
Guidance
Infrastructure Resilience, Water
EPA
Financing Alternatives Comparison
Tool
Tools
Water
EPA
Financing Options for
Nontraditional Eligibilities in the
Clean Water State Revolving Fund
Program
Guidance
Infrastructure Resilience, Water
EPA
Getting to Green: Paying for Green
Infrastructure, Finance Options and
Resources for Local Decision-
Makers
Guidance
Inland Flood Reduction, Infrastructure
Resilience, Water
EPA
EPA Green Infrastructure
Resources
Knowledge,
Guidance, Tools,
Climate Mitigation, Coastal Flood
Reduction, Heat Risk Reduction,
Infrastructure Resilience, Community
NATURE- BASED SOLUTIONS RESOURCE GUIDE
Author(s) Resource Title Resource Type Benefits Addressed
Technical
Assistance
Development, Water, Recreation, Health,
Nature
EPA
Green Infrastructure Funding
Opportunities
Guidance
Infrastructure Resilience, Water
EPA
Green Infrastructure Modeling
Toolkit:
Storm Water Management Model;
National Stormwater Calculator;
Green Infrastructure Wizard;
Watershed Management
Optimization Support Tool;
Visualizing Ecosystems for Land
Management Assessment Model;
Green Infrastructure Flexible
Model; Community-enabled
Lifecycle Analysis of Stormwater
Infrastructure Cost Tool; and
Integrated Decision Support Tool
Tools
Inland Flood Reduction, Adaptation,
Resilience, Water, Health, Nature
EPA
Financing Green Infrastructure: A
Best Practices Guide for the Clean
Water State Revolving Fund
Guidance
Infrastructure Resilience, Water
EPA
Including Watershed Planning and
Green Infrastructure into State
Hazard Mitigation Plans
Guidance,
Technical
Assistance
Coastal Flood Reduction, Inland Flood
Reduction, Heat Risk Reduction, Drought
Risk Reduction, Water, Recreation
EPA
Overview of Clean Water State
Revolving Fund Eligibilities
Guidance
Infrastructure Resilience, Water, Food &
Products, Nature
NATURE- BASED SOLUTIONS RESOURCE GUIDE
Author(s) Resource Title Resource Type Benefits Addressed
EPA
Tools, Strategies and Lessons
Learned from EPA Green
Infrastructure Technical Assistance
Projects
Knowledge,
Technical
Assistance
Climate Mitigation, Adaptation,
Resilience, Infrastructure Resilience,
Community Development, Water, Health
EPA
Water Infrastructure and Resiliency
Finance Center
Tools, Technical
Assistance
Infrastructure Resilience, Water
EPA/ DOC (NOAA)
Green Infrastructure for Coral
Conservation
Knowledge
Water, Recreation, Nature
GSA
Facilities Standards for the Public
Buildings Service (P100)
Knowledge,
Technical
Assistance
Infrastructure Resilience, Water, Nature
GSA
Planted Roofs
Knowledge
Heat Risk Reduction, Infrastructure
Resilience, Equity, Health, Water, Nature
HUD
HUD Climate Resilience
Implementation Guide – Nature-
based Solutions
Guidance
Climate Mitigation, Fire Risk Reduction,
Coastal Flood Reduction, Inland Flood
Reduction, Heat Risk Reduction, Drought
Risk Reduction, Infrastructure Resilience,
Equity, Community Development,
Recreation, Health
HUD
HUD Community Resilience
Toolkit
Tools
Fire Risk Reduction, Coastal Flood
Reduction, Inland Flood Reduction, Heat
Risk Reduction, Drought Risk Reduction,
Infrastructure Resilience, Community
Development
NATURE- BASED SOLUTIONS RESOURCE GUIDE
Author(s) Resource Title Resource Type Benefits Addressed
HUD
Green Infrastructure and the
Sustainable Communities Initiative
Knowledge
Jobs, Climate Mitigation, Inland Flood
Reduction, Heat Risk Reduction,
Infrastructure Resilience, Community
Development, Water, Recreation, Health,
Nature
NFWF/ DOC (NOAA)
Coastal Resilience Evaluation and
Siting Tool (CREST)
Tools
Coastal Flood Reduction, Nature
NFWF/ DOC (NOAA)
Regional Coastal Resilience
Assessments
Knowledge
Coastal Flood Reduction, Nature
NFWF/ DOC (NOAA)
Targeted Watershed Assessments
Knowledge
Inland Flood Reduction, Coastal Flood
Reduction, Nature
OSTP (U.S. Global Change
Research Program)
Climate Resilience Toolkit
Knowledge,
Guidance, Tools
Fire Risk Reduction, Coastal Flood
Reduction, Inland Flood Reduction, Heat
Risk Reduction, Drought Risk Reduction,
Equity, Water, Food & Products,
Recreation, Health, Nature
OSTP (U.S. Global Change
Research Program)
Second State of the Carbon Cycle
Report, Chapter 15 Tidal Wetlands
and Estuaries
Knowledge
Climate Mitigation, Nature
OSTP (National Science and
Technology Council)
Research Needs for Coastal Green
Infrastructure
Knowledge
Jobs, Climate Mitigation, Coastal Flood
Reduction, Inland Flood Reduction,
Infrastructure Resilience, Water,
Recreation, Health, Nature
Plant Conservation Alliance
Federal Committee (12
Federal Agencies)
National Seed Strategy
Knowledge,
Guidance, Tools
Climate, Mitigation, Drought Risk
Reduction, Fire Risk Reduction, Nature
NATURE- BASED SOLUTIONS RESOURCE GUIDE
Author(s) Resource Title Resource Type Benefits Addressed
USDA
Adaptation Resources for
Agriculture
Guidance, Tools,
Technical
Assistance
Adaptation, Resilience, Food & Products
USDA
Adaptation Resources for
Agriculture: Case Studies using the
Adaptation Workbook
Knowledge,
Guidance, Tools,
Technical
Assistance
Adaptation, Resilience, Food & Products
USDA
After Fire: Toolkit for the
Southwest
Guidance, Tools,
Technical
Assistance
Fire Risk Reduction, Water, Food &
Products, Nature
USDA
Air and Water Database
Tools
Water, Food & Products, Nature
USDA
Climate Adaptation Actions for
Urban Forests and Human Health
Knowledge,
Guidance
Fire Risk Reduction, Inland Flood
Reduction, Heat Risk Reduction, Drought
Risk Reduction, Equity, Health, Nature
USDA
Climate Adaptation Tools for
Wetland Conservation and
Management
Guidance,
Technical
Assistance
Drought Risk Reduction, Infrastructure
Resilience, Water, Nature
USDA
Climate Quick Reference Guides
Knowledge,
Tools
Food & Products, Nature
NATURE- BASED SOLUTIONS RESOURCE GUIDE
Author(s) Resource Title Resource Type Benefits Addressed
USDA
Conservation Technical Assistance
Program
Technical
Assistance
Climate Mitigation, Food & Products,
Nature
USDA
Conservation Concerns Tool
Tools
Equity, Food & Products, Nature
USDA
NRCS Field Office Technical
Guide
Guidance
Food & Products, Nature
USDA
A Guide to USDA Resources for
Historically Underserved Farmers
and Ranchers
Guidance
Equity, Food & Products, Nature
USDA
Hurricane Preparation and
Recovery Commodity Guides
Guidance
Coastal Flood Reduction, Inland Flood
Reduction, Water, Food & Products
USDA
Identification, Mitigation, and
Adaptation to Salinization on
Working Lands in the U.S.
Southeast
Knowledge,
Technical
Assistance
Coastal Flood Reduction, Food & Products
USDA
National Water and Climate Center:
Water and Climate Information
System
Tools
Adaptation, Resilience, Water, Food &
Products, Nature
USDA
Native Plants for Coastal Dune
Restoration: What When and How
for Florida
Knowledge,
Guidance
Coastal Flood Reduction, Nature
NATURE- BASED SOLUTIONS RESOURCE GUIDE
Author(s) Resource Title Resource Type Benefits Addressed
USDA
Plant Materials Technical Note:
Coastal Shoreline and Dune
Restoration
Knowledge,
Guidance
Coastal Flood Reduction, Nature
USDA
Plants for Coastal and Shoreline
Protection and Restoration
Knowledge,
Guidance
Coastal Flood Reduction, Nature
USDA
Plant List of Attributes, Names,
Taxonomy, and Symbols (PLANTS
Database)
Tools
Food & Products, Nature
USDA
2022 Strategic Pollinator Priorities
Report
Knowledge
Equity, Food & Products, Nature
USDA
Win-PST (Windows-based
Pesticide Screening Tool)
Tools
Water, Food & Products, Health, Nature
USDA
Wind Erosion Prediction System
(WEPS)
Tools
Food & Products, Nature
USDA
Water Erosion Prediction Project
(WEPP)
Tools
Inland Flood Reduction, Water, Food &
Products, Nature
USDA
Water Quality Index (WQI)
Tools
Water, Food & Products, Nature
USDA (and non-federal
partners)
Conservation Webinar Portal
Technical
Assistance
Jobs, Climate Mitigation, Fire Risk
Reduction, Drought Risk Reduction,
Water, Food & Products, Health, Nature
NATURE- BASED SOLUTIONS RESOURCE GUIDE
Author(s) Resource Title Resource Type Benefits Addressed
USDA (and non-federal
partners)
Grass-Cast
Tools
Drought Risk Reduction, Food &
Products, Nature
USDA (and non-federal
partners)
Rangeland Hydrologic Erosion
Model (RHEM)
Tools
Inland Flood Reduction, Water, Food &
Products, Nature
USDA (and Colorado State
University)
COMET-Farm
COMET-Planner
Tools
Climate Mitigation, Food & Products,
Nature
USDA (and New Mexico State
University)
Ecosystem Dynamics Interpretive
Tool
Tools
Food & Products, Nature
USDA (and University of
California - Davis)
Soil Survey Web Tool
Tools
Nature
USDA (USFS)
Climate Change Resource Center:
Tools
CCRC: Compendium of Adaptation
Approaches
Guidance, Tools
Fire Risk Reduction, Inland Flood
Reduction, Heat Risk Reduction, Drought
Risk Reduction, Infrastructure Resilience,
Water, Food & Products, Recreation,
Health, Nature
USDA (USFS)
Forest Adaptation Resources
Knowledge,
Guidance, Tools
Fire Risk Reduction, Infrastructure
Resilience, Nature
USDA (USFS)
Forest Management Handbook for
Small-Parcel Landowners in The
Sierra Nevada and Southern
Cascade Range
Knowledge,
Guidance, Tools,
Technical
Assistance
Adaptation, Resilience, Food & Products,
Nature
USDA (USFS) (and non-
Federal partners)
i-Tree
Tools
Climate Mitigation, Heat Risk Reduction,
Infrastructure Resilience
NATURE- BASED SOLUTIONS RESOURCE GUIDE
Author(s) Resource Title Resource Type Benefits Addressed
USDA (USFS) (and non-
Federal partners)
Vibrant Cities Lab
Knowledge,
Guidance, Tools
Adaptation, Resilience, Equity,
Community Development, Water,
Recreation, Health, Nature
USDA (USFS) (and non-
federal partners)
The Adaptation Workbook
Tools
Climate Mitigation, Adaptation,
Resilience, Nature