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Climate Resilient Monterey Bay

The California Marine Sanctuary Foundation is leading a collaborative, multi-institutional project to build climate resilience for the Monterey Bay area’s low-lying, coastal communities threatened by sea level rise, storm surge, and flooding.

The Climate Resilient Monterey Bay initiative is making communities and ecosystems more resilient to climate impacts through the implementation of wildfire and flood risk reduction projects, workforce training, collaboration through the Monterey Bay Climate Action Adaptation Network (MBCAAN), and inclusive community and Tribal engagement. Regional adaptation for climate resilience of Monterey Bay coastal communities is occurring specifically in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties.

All of the on-the-ground risk reduction projects included within CRMB are focused on nature-based adaptation strategies, which improve flood and wildfire resilience while supporting thriving ecosystems. 

Our Leadership & Impact

As the lead organization for Climate Resilient Monterey Bay, CMSF leads this major regional effort, managing the grant and guiding the project from start to finish.

CMSF's role includes:

  • Overseeing all funding, budgeting, and compliance for the $71.1 million NOAA award

  • Guiding flood and wildfire risk reduction projects with scientific and technical expertise

  • Coordinating work across 30 partner organizations and contractors

  • Leading outreach to build public awareness of climate resilience efforts

  • Building cross-sector partnerships and workforce development opportunities

  • Tracking progress and measuring impact through a dedicated evaluation plan

  • Guiding reporting and long-term strategic planning

 
Through this work, CMSF is helping the Monterey Bay region build a more resilient future—uniting communities, science, and action for people and ecosystems alike.

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The $71.1 million grant supports four Adaptation Strategies:

  1. Regional Collaboration

  2. Workforce Development

  3. Wildfire Risk Reduction

  4. Flood Risk Reduction

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Regional Collaboration and Capacity Building

This Adaptation Strategy advances climate resilience through meaningful community and Tribal engagement in regional decision-making.

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To support this goal, CMSF worked with partners to establish the Monterey Bay Climate Adaptation Action Network (MBCAAN), a collaborative network that  brings together government agencies, NGOs, academic institutions, Tribes, NGOs, academic institutions, and community-based organizations (CBOs) to coordinate climate adaptation efforts across the region.  Community and tribal voices are elevated through the Monterey Bay Community Advisory Group and anInter-Tribal Youth Council.

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CMSF is also leading the development of a new climate adaptation revolving fund that will provide critical bridge funding for resilience projects and rapid response funding for urgent climate adaptation needs. 

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To learn more about MBCAAN, visit MBCAAN.org 

Workforce Development

The Climate Resilient Monterey Bay Initiative is investing in the next generation of leaders by building a climate-ready workforce across the region.

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Through partnerships with local institutions, including CSU Monterey Bay, Hartnell College, UC Santa Cruz, and Watsonville Wetlands Watch, this initiative is supporting more than 350 paid internships and varied training opportunities, from workforce certifications to advanced degree programs, all focused on developing skills relevant to climate adaptation and resilience. 

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Flood Risk Reduction

The Climate Resilient Monterey Bay Initiative supports ten flood risk reduction projects across the Monterey Bay area that aim to reduce the impacts of extreme flooding while restoring and enhancing coastal, estuarine, and riparian habitats. These projects provide critical protection and resilience benefits for some of California’s most vulnerable communities, including Watsonville, Pajaro, Castroville, and low-lying areas of Santa Cruz.

Fire Risk Reduction

Climate Resilient Monterey Bay supports five wildfire risk reduction projects across 5,000 acres. Efforts include the installation of shaded fuel breaks, treated vegetation management, and prescribed and cultural burning in partnership with Tribes to reduce the risk of high-severity wildfire and strengthen community resilience.

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Partners

Regional Collaboration & Capacity Building

  • California Marine Sanctuary Foundation (CMSF)

  • Central Coast Climate Collaborative (4C)

  • Collaborative for Right Relations

  • Community Advisory Group (A coalition of CBOs)

  • Community Foundation Santa Cruz County

  • Ecology Action

  • Four Directions Indigenous Consulting

  • Monterey Bay Climate Adaptation Action Network (MBCAAN)

  • Monterey Bay Climate Justice Collaborative

  • Regional Climate Project Working Group

  • Regeneración

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Workforce Development

  • California State University Monterey Bay (CSUMB)

  • Hartnell College 

  • University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC)

  • Watsonville Wetlands Watch (WWW)

Wildfire Risk Reduction

  • ​Big Sur Land Trust (BSLT)

  • Central Coast Prescribed Burn Association (CCPBA)

  • Elkhorn Slough Foundation (ESF)

  • Esselen Tribe of Monterey County (ETMC)

  • Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST)

  • Resource Conservation District Monterey Co. (RCDMC)

  • Santa Lucia Conservancy (SLC)
     

Flood Risk Reduction

  • ​Big Sur Land Trust (BSLT)

  • California State Parks

  • Central Coast Wetlands Group (CCWG)

  • City of Santa Cruz (City of SC)

  • Coastal Conservation & Research (CC&R)

  • Elkhorn Slough Foundation (ESF)

  • Groundswell Coastal Ecology

  • Land Trust of Santa Cruz County (LTSCC)

  • Monterey County Water Resources Agency

  • Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency (PRFMA)

  • Pajaro Storm Drain Maintenance District (PSDMD)

  • Resource Conservation District Monterey Co. (RCDMC)

  • The Nature Conservancy
     

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