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Abstract

As the primary land, water and wildlife manager for the nation, the U.S. Department of the Interior has an obligation to address the impacts that climate change is having on America’s resources by developing integrated adaptation and mitigation strategies. In recognition of this responsibility, Secretary Salazar signed a Secretarial Order (No. 3289) on September 14, 2009, entitled, “Addressing the Impacts of Climate Change on America’s Water, Land, and Other Natural and Cultural Resources.” That Order established a Climate Change Response Council, chaired by the Secretary, which is coordinating activities within and across the bureaus to develop and implement an integrated strategy for climate change response by the Department. Working at the landscape, regional, and national scales through the establishment of DOI Climate Science Centers (CSCs) and Landscape Conservation Cooperatives (LCCs), the Department is defining and implementing a vision that integrates DOI science and management expertise with that of our partners, providing information and best management practices available to support strategic adaptation and mitigation efforts on both public and private lands across the U.S. and internationally.