FEMA Funding can Support Nature-Based Solutions to Mitigate Hazards and Improve Community Resilience

FEMA Funding can Support Nature-Based Solutions to Mitigate Hazards and Improve Community Resilience

Earth Economics Explains How and Why in New Article

Parks, open spaces, and conservation lands help buffer U.S. communities from damages caused by hurricanes, wildfires, and other natural hazards — and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is beginning to recognize the role of such nature-based solutions to build community resilience, according to a recent article written by Earth Economics and published by the non-profit National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA).

Recent policy updates make it easier to access FEMA mitigation funding for land conservation (especially in floodplains) and other cost-effective nature-based solutions, such as post-wildfire restoration of forested lands, aquifer storage and recovery, wetland and riparian restoration, and green infrastructure. Cities, park agencies, and private nonprofit land trusts are eligible to apply for these funds, according to the article, published in NRPA’s monthly magazine, Parks & Recreation. FEMA is also placing greater emphasis on proactive investments before disasters occur, underscored by the 2018 Disaster Recovery Reform Act (DRRA), which passed in Congress with overwhelming bipartisan support. 

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Earth Economics collaborates with partners around the world to include nature in economic decision-making through analysis of scientific and economic data. Contact us to discuss questions or your FEMA-related project ideas.

For more information, please contact Program Director Rowan Schmidt

Project to Quantify Impacts of Replacing At-Risk Culverts in Southwest Washington

Project to Quantify Impacts of
Replacing At-Risk Culverts in Southwest Washington

A changing climate is raising the risk of more frequent and intense storms in Western Washington. But the thousands of culverts around the state that are designed to convey water, and provide fish passage, are often degraded, blocked, or undersized, putting the public at risk. The social, economic, and environmental impacts are many — ranging from flooded homes and roads, to decreased salmon runs and emergency response times. 

To help quantify such impacts — and ultimately mitigate the natural hazards that cause them — Earth Economics and a diverse array of interested partners formally launched a project this month in the Chehalis Basin. Representatives from nonprofits, tribes, and state and local governments — including the Washington Departments of Ecology and Fish & Wildlife — attended Earth Economics’ April 5 kick-off meeting on the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation, southwest of Olympia. 

Over the next few months, Earth Economics will assess data to identify a range of quantifiable changes that follow from improved road stream-crossings in the Chehalis Basin. For example, in addition to expanding available habitat, replacing culverts has the potential to reduce risk of localized flooding and road washouts.  

Earth Economics’ work — to be presented in a technical report in late 2019 — will help property owners and other stakeholders within and beyond the Chehalis Basin more fully understand the costs and benefits of replacing at-risk culverts. Earth Economics also will provide stakeholders technical support for one or more applications to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant Program. 

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Chehalis Basin Overview with Blocking Culverts
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Ken Cousins of Earth Economics, presenting to representatives from nonprofit, tribes, state and local government.

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Here at Earth Economics, we are focused on providing tailored support to cities, utilities, and environmental justice organizations alike on building the case for, financing, and ensuring equitable prioritization of green infrastructure.

For more information, please contact Ecological Economist Ken Cousins.

Faced with Climate Impacts, Communities Turn to Green Infrastructure

Faced with Climate Impacts, Communities Turn to Green Infrastructure

Earth Economics named as “helpful organizations for communities seeking to finance their own [green infrastructure] plans and projects.”

“Climate change is causing seas to rise, flooding to worsen, and hurricanes and wildfires to become more destructive, all of which puts our infrastructure at greater risk. On top of that, America’s current infrastructure received a D+ grade from the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) in their latest scorecard. Increased risk from climate events and the massive backlog of maintenance projects means that our infrastructure has never been more vulnerable.

But for some forward-thinking communities, vulnerability means opportunity. For these communities facing climate impacts, the best way to protect themselves has been to move beyond the grey infrastructure of the past and transition to green infrastructure.”

Here at Earth Economics, we are focused on providing tailored support to cities, utilities, and environmental justice organizations alike on building the case for, financing, and ensuring equitable prioritization of green infrastructure.

Earth Economics’ Jordan Wildish named as 2018-2019 1 Hotels Fellow at E2

Earth Economics’ Jordan Wildish named
as 2018-2019 1 Hotels fellow at e2

Over the next year, these future leaders will work to advance policies that are good for the economy and good for the environment through 10 exciting clean energy projects.

The 1 Hotels Fellowship at E2 is a carefully selected group of emerging business leaders who dedicate themselves to advancing policies that are good for the economy and good for the environment. Wildish will be leading a project focused on creating a carbon offset toolkit, designed to help companies find and purchase carbon offsets, and help ranchers and foresters implement sustainable practices and sell carbon offsets. 

Earth Economics Presents at FEMA Region 10 Summit

Earth Economics Presents at FEMA Region 10 Summit

Program Director Rowan Schmidt and Research Lead Johnny Mojica are presented at FEMA’s Region 10 Mitigation Summit, in Lynnwood, Washington. The presentation showcase how FEMA’s environmental benefits policies and economics can be used to take a holistic approach to hazard mitigation by utilizing nature-based solutions.

The Land Trust successful obtained nearly $200K in FEMA funds to support restoration of the San Ysidro Oak Woodland for post-fire restoration.

The Land Trust successful obtain nearly $200K in FEMA funds to support restoration of the San Ysidro Oak Woodland for post-fire restoration.

Earth Economics worked with the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County to submit for FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance funds following the Thomas Fire. The application was a success and the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County was awarded nearly $200,000 in funding for post-wildfire restoration of the San Ysidro Creek floodplain in the Ennisbrook Preserve. Restoration included replanting and clearing mud and flood debris from the oak woodland.

Farmland LP mentioned in Nori Podcast

Farmland LP mentioned in Nori Podcast

Ryan Anderson, Strategy Lead with the Delta Institute, joined Nori podcasts’ Ross and Christophe to discuss the principles of ecological economics and the debate around financializing ecosystem services. He describes his work with The Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX), sharing its successes and failures and explaining what Nori can learn from his experience with the project. Listen in for Ryan’s advice to impact investors on diversifying their portfolios with farmland and learn about the Delta Institute’s recent report on valuing the ecosystem service benefits of regenerative agriculture practices.​

Earth Economics Presents at National Recreation and Park Association Innovation Lab

Earth Economics Presents at National Recreation and Park Association Innovation Lab

The Miami Dade Parks Department, in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association, is hosting the 2019 NRPA Innovation Lab on Resiliency January 16-18, 2019 in Miami, Florida.  Research Analyst, Jordan Wildish, from Earth Economics will participate in  “The Resilience Landscape – A National Perspective” panel discussion January 17th to discuss opportunities for parks planning and development to include ecosystem service value considerations. The audience will be park professionals from across the country.