Climate Adaptation for DoD Natural Resource Managers

Dawn M. Lawson, Christy M. Wolf

Posted on: 6/13/2019 - Updated on: 6/01/2021

Posted by

CAKE Team

Published

2019-05

Abstract

A Guide to Incorporating Climate Considerations into Integrated Natural Resource Management Plans

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) owns or manages more than 25 million acres of lands, representing a wide array of natural ecosystems that support numerous rare and endangered species. These lands are critical to maintaining the nation’s security by supporting military training and testing that can take place under realistic conditions. Over the coming decades, DoD installations will experience significant impacts from climate change, which could compromise their capacity to support the military mission and undermine DoD’s ability to protect and restore native species and ecosystems.

Climate Adaptation for DoD Natural Resource Managers was developed by the National Wildlife Federation with support from DoD, and is designed to help DoD installation managers prepare for and reduce climate-related vulnerabilities and risks. The guide provides an overview of how climatic changes may impact military lands and resources, and offers a structured process for incorporating climate considerations into Integrated Natural Resource Management Plans (INRMP), legally required planning documents that outline how each installation will conserve and manage its natural resources.

Adaptation Planning Worksheets

The guide offers a six-step INRMP adaptation planning process, which is supported by a series of detailed adaptation planning worksheets. To facilitate their use by DoD installation managers, electronic versions of the worksheets are available for download here in Excel and Microsoft Word format. Additionally, a filled-out example of these worksheets is available here.

Citation

Stein, B. A., D. M. Lawson, P. Glick, C. M. Wolf, and C. Enquist. 2019. Climate Adaptation for DoD Natural Resource Managers: A Guide to Incorporating Climate Considerations into Integrated Natural

Resource Management Plans. Washington, D.C.: National Wildlife Federation.

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Affiliated Organizations

National Wildlife Federation

The National Wildlife Federation is America's largest conservation organization, with more than 6 million members supporters and an affiliate network in 52 states and territories. The National Wildlife Federation’s mission is to “unite all Americans to ensure wildlife thrive in a rapidly changing world.”

U.S. Department of Defense

The Secretary of Defense is the principal defense policy advisor to the President. Under the direction of the President, the Secretary exercises authority, direction, and control over the Department of Defense. The Deputy Secretary, the second-highest ranking official in the DoD, is delegated full power and authority to act for the Secretary and to exercise the powers of the Secretary on any and all matters for which the Secretary is authorized to act. The