Coastal Adaptation

The National Park Service protects natural resources, cultural resources, and facilities in over 120 coastal and parks that are vulnerable to changes in sea and lake levels, saltwater intrusion, ocean acidification, inundation during coastal storms, and the impacts of changing temperature and precipitation regimes. These parks compose a network of protected areas that are critical to maintaining threatened coastal resources and values, preserving coastal heritage and providing visitor experiences. The National Park Service must prepare for and adapt to coastal climate change impacts in order to protect irreplaceable resources where possible, and to connect visitors to the resources and the potential impacts of climate change.

The NPS is working with scientists and other partners to support scientific research, inventory, and monitoring activities to gather data and improve understanding of climate and weather phenomena affecting coastal parks. In the Sea Level Rise and Storm Surge Projections for the National Park Service project, you can find information about climate projections for coastal park sites. We are conducting Coastal Facilities Vulnerability Assessments to identify projected impacts of climate and other stressors on park resources and operations. Prior to those, we looked at assets exposed to 1 meter of sea level rise for 40 coastal parks. We’ve developed guidance and tools to help NPS managers understand vulnerability and take actions that will increase sustainability, including actions that are compatible with the dynamic coastal environment.

Dig deeper:

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  Coastal Adaptation Strategies Handbook

  View and download this management handbook focused on coastal adaptation planning

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  Coastal Adaptation Case Studies

  This handbook details 24 case studies of coastal adaptation occurring in national parks

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  Sea Level Change

  Explore how changing sea levels will impact the cultural and natural resources of coastal national parks

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  Coastal Vulnerability Assessments

  Climate change impacts on sea level, storm surge, and shoreline erosion present unique hazards for coastal units of the NPS