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Santa Cruz Mountains Climate Adaptation Project
Overview
EcoAdapt has partnered with the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, the Santa Cruz Mountains Stewardship Network, and Pepperwood Preserve to conduct vulnerability assessments and develop climate-informed adaptation strategies for focal habitats and species in the Santa Cruz Mountains region, which includes San Mateo, Santa Cruz, and part of Santa Clara counties. This effort will integrate existing, best available science with an expert elicitation process, and will be used to inform regional planning processes and land management practices.

Project timeline: Fall 2019-Spring 2021

Project Goals & Objectives
The overarching goal of the Santa Cruz Mountains Climate Adaptation Project is to improve understanding of and capacity to reduce climate-related vulnerabilities of important habitats and species within the region. Objectives include:
  1. Generate vulnerability assessment and adaptation planning products for habitats and species of interest;
  2. In partnership with Pepperwood Preserve, create customized data products on recent and projected future climate changes and their potential impacts on the Santa Cruz Mountains region;
  3. Provide a framework and space for participating stakeholders to grapple with climate change impacts and how to manage resources effectively given these impacts; and
  4. Help identify practical applications and next steps for stakeholders to incorporate information into their management plans and programs and on-the-ground projects.

Workshops
    This project involves a series of three workshops held with staff of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District and members of the Santa Cruz Mountains Stewardship Network.
    • Project Scoping: We convened a half-day meeting to define the project's geographic boundary, select climate variables for spatial analysis, and collaboratively identify habitats and species to focus on for the vulnerability assessment and adaptation planning workshops. June 2019
    • Assessing Vulnerability of Focal Resources: We convened a one-day, in-person workshop to assess the climate change vulnerability of a suite of stakeholder-identified habitats and species. October 2019  

      Products
      Santa Cruz Mountains Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment & Adaptation Strategies Synthesis Report
        Vulnerability Assessments for Focal Habitats and Species

        Habitats
        Species
           
          Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptation Strategy Briefs:
           
           For more information, contact Jessi Kershner.