Climate Adaptation Working Group

In 2012, the A-NPDC assumed the role of lead agency for the Eastern Shore of Virginia Climate Adaptation Working Group (CAWG) to coordinate efforts among local, state, and federal representatives of government, aquaculture, agriculture, and community organizations to better plan and mitigate risks associated with climate change and sea level rise. CAWG’s mission is to provide educational outreach and develop planning tools to assist local governments and residents. To date, CAWG has hosted multiple public workshops addressing sea level rise and developed flood vulnerability models utilizing high-resolution LiDAR elevation data for the region. The group is also working to gauge public sentiment and solicit knowledge and personal anecdotal accounts of what local residents have experienced in terms of changes related to sea level rise and climate change.

The CAWG began developing an Eastern Shore Resilience Project Database (ESRPD) in 2021 aligning with efforts made by Wetlands Watch/Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program to develop a coastal resilience database and with the Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Plan Phase 1 publication. The ESRPD is reviewed during the annual CAWG Summer Workshop with core members, partners, and region-wide stakeholders.

Over 200 Eastern Shore residents participated in the CAWG’s Coastal Flooding Workshop in 2012.

1. Summer 2022 Workshop – Launching a Coastal Resilience and Adaptation Economy, C. Considine
2. Summer 2022 Workshop – Coastal Bays Restoration, D. Snyder
3. Summer 2022 Workshop – Seagrass Blue Carbon Project, S. Bates
4. Summer 2022 Workshop – Catching Up on All Things Resilience, E. Andrews
5. Summer 2022 Workshop – Welcome Slides
6. Capacity Building in the NFIP CRS – Viability of Regional CRS Support Positions in Virginia
7. The Costs & Benefits of the CRS Program in Virginia
8. Virginia CRS Communities – CRS Activity Scores
9. AdaptVA – Forecasts, Adaptations, Tools, Data, Planning & Policy
10. AdaptationClearinghouse – Resources for Small Communities
11. Historic Architectural Resource Survey: Eastern Shore – Accomack and Northampton Counties Virginia
12. UVA-IEN Community Resilience in Coastal VA Website
13. Chesapeake Bay Sentinel Site Cooperative Website
14. Atlantic National Seashores Climate Vulnerability Assessment Report
15. Chesapeake Commons Website 
16. TNC Coastal Resiliency Tool
    1. CR Tool Resources
    2. New Training Manual (August 2017)
17. Climate Central Surging Seas SLR & Coastal Flood Risk Tool
18. Climate Central Surging Seas Risk Zone Map
19. Farm Resiliency Education for At-Risk Coastal Areas in the Chesapeake Bay
20. FAQ: Flooding and Sea-level Rise on the Eastern Shore

Accelerating the Scale and the Rate of Living Shoreline Implementation in Rural Coastal Virginia – Aaron Wendt, DCR – a brief presentation on living shorelines and the NFWF 2021 Innovative Nutrient & Sediment Reduction Grant awarded to DCR

VDEQ/VCZM Introduction to Climate Science Presentation

These reports summarize the accomplishments of many of the CAWG partners

CAWG 2018 Annual Report

Notice: The biweekly newsletter has been discontinued. In its stead, we will be producing and distributing an Annual CAWG Report. This Report will provide a synopsis of all relevant projects and programs in place on the Eastern Shore of Virginia.