Adaptation Workgroup
The Adaptation Workgroup seeks to increase capacity for planning and responding to changing environmental conditions.
Meetings
No upcoming meetings.
Adaptation Workgroup Meeting - June 2026
Healthy Landscapes Goal Team Meeting
Adapting to Changing Environmental Conditions Outcome Meeting
About
Changing climatic and sea level conditions may alter the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem, requiring us to adjust our policies, programs and projects to successfully achieve our restoration and protection goals. This challenge requires careful monitoring and assessment of these impacts, and application of this knowledge to our work. The Adaptation Workgroup coordinates the Chesapeake Bay Program's efforts to adapt to changing environmental conditions, as deemed a priority in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement.
Workgroup Values
- Increase the resiliency of the Chesapeake Bay watershed, including its living resources, habitats, public infrastructure and communities, to withstand adverse impacts from changing environmental and climate conditions.
- Build technical capacity to identify and implement on-the-ground nature-based solutions in tidal and non-tidal portions of seven sub-watershed areas.
- Provide technical assistance for restoration and protection projects that help address the risk to people, infrastructure, and habitats from changes in temperature, precipitation, and sea level rise.
Guiding Documents
The workgroup is currently in the process of developing our Management Strategy and Strategic plan following the update to the Watershed Agreement.
Stay Informed
To subscribe to the Adaptation Workgroup's distribution list and receive information about workgroup meetings, funding and job opportunities, and adaptation-related efforts underway in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, please contact Julia Fucci at fuccij@chesapeake.org. Include your name, affiliation and area of interest.
Projects
Marsh Adaptation and Partnership Building
In ProgressThis ongoing project is working to identify and target potential large-scale marsh adaptation projects to assist regional partners.
Climate Change Indicator Framework
CompleteThis framework informed the development of indicators used to track and analyze trends, impacts and progress toward the climate resiliency goal and outcomes in the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement.
Climate-Smart Framework and Decision-Support Tool
CompleteThis project developed a framework to support the integration of climate-smart principles at multiple levels across the Chesapeake Bay Program.
Climate Resiliency Posters for Vulnerable Populations
CompleteCreated by C-StREAM interns, these posters support increased accessibility to information about hurricane preparedness, the urban heat island effect and planting your own rain garden.
Compilation of Climate Change Research and Adaptation Efforts
CompleteA compilation of activities and research efforts related to climate change and adaptation.
Publications
Rising Watershed and Bay Water Temperatures: Ecological Implications and Management Responses
Publication date:This workshop examined the drivers and effects of rising water temperatures and sought to determine what the Chesapeake Bay Program partnership might do to prevent, mitigate or adapt to adverse consequences.
A Systematic Review of Chesapeake Bay Climate Change Impacts and Uncertainty: Watershed Processes, Pollutant Delivery and BMP Performance
Publication date:This report explores how climate change and variability affect nutrient and sediment cycling and BMP performance in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Our Watershed Agreement Goals & Outcomes
Healthy Landscapes Goal
Our Members
- Ben McFarlane (Chair)
Hampton Roads Planning District Commission (VA) bmcfarlane@hrpdcva.gov - Natalie Snider (Chair)
Maryland Department of Natural Resources natalie.snider@maryland.gov - Julie Reichert-Nguyen (Coordinator)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) julie.reichert-nguyen@noaa.gov - Julia Fucci (Staffer)
Chesapeake Research Consortium fuccij@chesapeake.org