Sustainable Recreation and Tourism Initiative

Welcome to Climate Adaptation & Resilience

Project Description: “Climate Adaptation and Resilience Assessment” is the official name of Track 2 of the “Sustainable Recreation and Tourism Initiative”. This track has produced an adaptation and resilience to climate change assessment for the Eastern Sierra region – “A Changing Climate | Vulnerability in California’s Eastern Sierra” - developed through the “lens” of sustainable recreation. Included in the final report are documented valuations of the natural-resource capital and ecosystem services in the Eastern Sierra along with valuations of the region’s outdoor recreation economy. MLTPA is pleased to provide this web page in support of the Eastern Sierra Sustainable Recreation Partnership (ESSRP) and the "Sustainable Recreation and Tourism Initiative."

COVID-19: In person meetings were not safe during the pandemic so Placeworks, ICF, and the MLTPA team established the virtual and digital systems necessary to complete the identified tasks for the "Climate Adaptation & Resilience" track. The pandemic profoundly affected gateway communities and counties in the Eastern Sierra, all recreation activities, and our visitor audience. Despite challenges, the Initiative went digital and virtual, with every expectation that project deliverables would be completed on time consistent with all contractual obligations. Reliable virtual solutions were made possible by the Eastern Sierra's Digital 395 which provided unprecedented open-access broadband network capacity.

A Changing Climate | Vulnerability in California’s Eastern Sierra

The Eastern Sierra region is dependent on natural ecosystems to sustain its recreation and tourism economy. Climate change poses a threat by potentially increasing the frequency and intensity of natural hazards. Click above to download and review the final report for a better understanding of what is truly at risk.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ONLY

Click above to download and review the Executive Summary for “A Changing Climate | Vulnerability in California’s Eastern Sierra”, a ten-page summary of the findings, conclusions, and recommended actions from this unique regional report.

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS

“A Changing Climate | Vulnerability in California’s Eastern Sierra” identifies five sets of projects to reduce vulnerabilities and increase sustainable, resilient recreation. Click above to learn more.

PUBLIC PRESENTATION

On May 12, 2021, the Placeworks Team presented “A Changing Climate | Vulnerability in California’s Eastern Sierra” at a special joint workshop of the Mammoth Lakes Town Council and the Planning & Economic Development Commission. Click above to view and listen to the presentation which lasts about 30 minutes.

PUBLIC PRESENTATION - PRESENTATION SLIDES

Click above to view the slides from Placeworks' May 12, 2021 presentation of “A Changing Climate | Vulnerability in California’s Eastern Sierra”. This presentation was originally made at a joint workshop of the Mammoth Lakes Town Council and the Planning & Economic Development Commission.

RESEARCH AND RESOURCES

MLTPA and the Placeworks team assembled a database of over 170 documents and data resources as part of “A Changing Climate | Vulnerability in California’s Eastern Sierra”. We’ve assembled these resources along with their web links, they may be useful for other regional efforts. Click above to access the Google sheet.

Critical Documents for Climate Adaptation & Resilience

Featured on California's Adaptation Clearinghouse Website

“A Changing Climate | Vulnerability in California’s Eastern Sierra” is featured on the "Adaptation Clearinghouse," the State of California’s consolidated searchable database of resources for local, regional and statewide climate adaptation planning and decision-making. Click above to explore the listing and the State's entire Adaptation Clearinghouse website.

IPCC REPORTS ON CLIMATE CHANGE

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is the world’s top authority on climate science. Here’s what its reports are telling us and what we can do about it. Click above to access the IPCC project's website and access the latest climate information from the global body of the United Nations.

IPCC CARBON FOOTPRINT CALCULATOR

What's your carbon footprint? Carbon emissions from your lifestyle choices, from transportation to diet, impact the climate. This is a global problem, but you can be a part of the solution. Click above to use the IPCC's carbon footprint calculator and offset your emissions today.

Sierra Nevada Recreation And Infrastructure Vulnerability Assessment And Adaptation Strategy Partnership

A USFS team reviewed existing Region 5 vulnerability assessments and resources and extracted and organized pertinent outputs and information to compose a vulnerability assessment, including adaptation strategies, for Recreation and Infrastructure Program resources in the Sierra Nevada. Click above to access the project's website.

Sustainable Recreation and a Sierra Nevada Recovery

The role of public lands and sustainable recreation in a post-COVID economic recovery for rural communities was the subject of a virtual webinar and round table discussion presented by Sierra Camp. Click above to access the webinar.

Placeworks - "Vulnerability Assessment Method Recommendation"

"This memo summarizes the three methods that have been used in the Eastern Sierra region by the U.S. Forest Service, EcoAdapt, and the Town of Mammoth Lakes, and provides our recommended method for a vulnerability assessment that best meets the needs of this project." Click above to view the memo.

Placeworks - "List of Hazards, Populations, and Assets"

The Vulnerability Assessment will consider the extent to which the hazards identified as relevant for the Eastern Sierra region will be exacerbated by climate change. Placeworks’ list of recommended hazards for inclusion in the Vulnerability Assessment include definitions and data sources. Click above to view the document.

Approved Scope of Work for Placeworks and ICF

The Climate Adaptation and Resilience Assessment will include a climate change vulnerability assessment and adaptation strategy for the Eastern Sierra focused primarily on outdoor recreation while also valuating the region’s natural resources and outdoor recreation and tourism economy.

Agenda Item for Mammoth Lakes Town Council Approval

"Authorize the professional services agreement with Placeworks, Inc., subject to the Town Attorney’s approval and finalization of the agreement, for preparation of the Climate Adaptation and Resiliency Assessment services as described in Exhibit A of the agreement."

RFQ: Climate Adaptation and Resilience Assessment Services

"The Town of Mammoth Lakes is seeking an experienced consultant to generate specific components of the "Climate Adaptation and Resilience" deliverable, which will include asset valuations of natural resources and the region's outdoor recreation economy."

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Last Updated April 20, 2022

Funding for this project has been provided by the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, an agency of the State of California, under the California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, and Outdoor Access For All Act of 2018 (Proposition 68) and in support of the Sierra Nevada Watershed Improvement Program.