Abstract

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ Chesapeake and Coastal Service (CCS) works strategically to meet the state’s water quality and restoration goals. CCS’s Habitat Restoration and Conservation Division implements innovative best management practices related to shoreline, riparian, stream, floodplain, wetland, and aquatic enhancement and restoration.  These practices provide many benefits including run-off reduction, enhanced coastal resiliency, and wildlife habitat preservation and expansion.  To ensure long-term benefits, climate change must be considered throughout the project planning, implementation, and monitoring process.  Maryland has a suite of climate-related data that are available to inform project targeting, prioritization, site analysis, design, and environmental review.  In addition to climate data or assessment factors, an adaptive management framework is essential to ensure future project success under changing conditions. This fact sheet highlights strategies and climate factors that are currently considered during restoration decision-making.