To promote community wellbeing and a vibrant, resilient parks system, Sonoma County Regional Parks is creating a Climate Adaptation and Resilience Plan (CARP), and now seeks public input on future climate-related priorities and projects.
The comprehensive plan will help the department address anticipated climate change impacts, such as extreme heat, drought, flooding, landslide and wildfire risks, while reducing climate pollution and protecting Sonoma County’s natural and cultural resources.
As part of this planning, Regional Parks wants to hear the community’s input on actions the department can take to meet these goals by completing a short survey at SoCoParksClimate.com.
Although Sonoma County’s parks and preserves are exposed to climate risks such as wildfires and extreme heat, they also play a crucial role in protecting adjacent communities—and the county as a whole—against these risks.
For its part, the City of Healdsburg has been developing a Climate Mobilization Strategy focusing on key measures and actions that will be most impactful in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The Climate Mobilization Strategy will provide a framework of strategies, measures and actions to pursue for the city to achieve greenhouse gas reductions, in support of state and regional carbon goals.
An Open House will be held Wednesday, July 26, from 6-7:30pm at the Healdsburg Community Center, 1557 Healdsburg Ave. For more information, visit Healdsburg.gov/CMS.
To guide Regional Parks’ planning for a future in the reality of a changing climate, the CARP will clarify the department’s role in mitigating the impacts of climate change in Sonoma County and prioritize projects that help Regional Parks adapt and respond to climate change, with an equity lens that prioritizes the most vulnerable communities.
The CARP, once completed, will also allow Regional Parks to prioritize projects that reduce carbon emissions and provide data that will help the county pursue funding opportunities. Multiple departments within the County of Sonoma are currently involved in planning efforts aimed at decreasing the county’s overall carbon emissions and reducing the impacts of future climate-related hazards.
These efforts also focus on maximizing the removal and storage of carbon from the atmosphere, promoting environmental justice and protecting the community from risks like wildfires.
Sonoma County Regional Parks’ CARP will align with and build upon these existing initiatives. In addition to the online survey, Regional Parks will conduct in-person public outreach and collect feedback at numerous park locations.
All public input will be incorporated into a final CARP plan, which will be presented to the Board of Supervisors for approval in early 2024.
Visit SoCoParksClimate.com to learn more, take the survey and sign up for future updates.
