This working group focuses on providing an expert forum to connect decision-makers with policy and technical resources, in order to support climate adaptation strategies that integrate natural resources and ecosystem services concerns. Participants will be working with Sonoma County agencies and the Sonoma County Regional Climate Protection Authority (SCRCPA) to provide input and tools to help develop a strategic planning framework that incorporates both climate mitigation and adaptation. The group’s roles are to provide a nexus to the conservation, restoration, land management, scientific, agricultural, and private stakeholder communities, influence policy, and to develop a coordinated county-wide plan to reflect climate change adaptation.

The purpose of this group is to:

• Act on opportunities to integrate adaptation into climate policy processes such as those of the  Sonoma County Regional Climate Protection Authority.
• Provide analysis and feedback on policy planning alternatives
• Engage with Sonoma County departments and programs that have the greatest capacity to meet the Initiative goals
• Offer educational outreach to the public and decision-makers
• Facilitate forums and informational exchange
• Serve as a conduit for funds, information, concepts, and partnerships related to climate change adaptation in Sonoma County.
• Develop a coordinated county-wide plan to reflect climate change adaptation.
• Develop funding opportunities for the implementation of climate adaptation response strategies identified by the 2009 Conference.

Climate Change Adaptation Strategies identified at the recent conference that this group will directly address include: Strengthening Collaboration, and Use Market Forces.

The group is currently developing a clearly defined set of goals, objectives, outcomes, and meeting structure. If interested in participating, please contact the working group chair, otherwise sign up and join in the online discussions.