The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has launched the Climate Smart Communities Initiative (CSCI) to help US communities at high risk of climate impacts and that most need assistance. They will receive assistance to develop equitable, funding-ready climate resilience plans in collaboration with local governments and organizations over the next four years. In Wisconsin, Crawford, Trempealeau, and Vernon Counties have been identified by FEMA as Community Disaster Resilience Zones (CDRZ). These are communities at the frontlines in the battle against climate change impacts that will be most likely to get technical assistance to prioritize their resilience actions, develop their plans, and receive help in finding funding to implement their plans.
CSCI establishes a public-private partnership among the NOAA-led U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit and private sector adaptation specialists. It is part of Climate Ready America – NOAA’s effort to build a national system of climate support services for all communities.