Wetlands Webinar Dec. 16; Sustainable Shorelines Webinar Dec. 18; Climate Resiliency Actions Adopted

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation sent this bulletin on 12/15/2020 09:40 AM EST
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Hudson RiverNet
News from the Hudson River Estuary Program

In This Issue

  • Wetland Conservation Webinar December 16
  • Implementation of Nature-Based Shorelines Webinar December 18
  • Climate Adaptation and Resilience Actions for Climate Smart Communities Certification

Wetland Conservation: What Do We Have to Lose?

Wednesday, December 16, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Photo of a large marsh with a birch tree in the foreground.Wetland Conservation: What Do We Have to Lose? is part of the Capital District Regional Planning Commission's (CDRPC) Fall Webinar Series. Laura Heady, coordinator of Conservation and Land Use  for the Hudson River Estuary Program, will provide an introduction to the diversity of wetlands in the Hudson Valley and the benefits they provide for clean water, wildlife, and climate adaptation. In many planning situations, wetlands are viewed as notations on a site plan. This webinar is designed to bring wetlands to life and expand understanding of their complexity and value to our communities. Municipal approaches to wetland conservation will also be discussed. Register now for this webinar.

Implementation of Nature-Based Shoreline Projects in New York 

Friday, December 18, 2020 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

This webinar will feature presentations about nature-based shoreline in New York during the past six years, including projects in the Great Lakes region, Niagara River, Long Island, and the Hudson River. In addition, Mark Lowery, assistant director of DEC's Office of Climate Change, will discuss the implementation of the Community Risk and Resilience Act, focusing on sea-level rise regulation adoption, guidance document release, and the amendments through the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. Carolyn Fraoli, NYS Dept. of State, Office of Planning and Development, will talk about Measuring Success: Monitoring Natural And Nature-Based Shoreline Features In New York State. The webinar takes place on Friday, December 18 at 1:30 p.m. For more information and to register, visit the Sustainable Shorelines Webinar Series website. This series is sponsored by the Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve.

New Climate Adaptation and Resilience Actions for CSC Certification

A group of 5 people gather around a table looking at large maps that show the Hudson River.Nineteen new and updated climate adaptation and resilience actions were recently released for the NYS Climate Smart Communities (CSC) Certification program. DEC's Hudson River Estuary Program led a multi-agency working group to overhaul Pledge Element 7 : "Enhance community resilience to climate change" which aims to increase local government action on adaptation of the Climate Smart Communities (CSC) certification program. The 19 CSC certification actions (PDF) just released include updates to eight actions already available in the certification program and the creation of 11 new actions, including strategic relocation, green infrastructure, culverts and dams, and source water protection. These actions, drafted by a team of eight state agencies and offices, and reviewed by local governments for "on-the-ground" perspective, will be available to communities for the 2021 certification program. You can view full guidance for these new actions on the Climate Smart website.