About Climate Initiative
Marine health and abundance is tightly interwoven with climate conditions. The MPA Collaborative Network (CN) recognizes that stewardship of MPAs and the coast is incomplete without discussions of and action around climate change. Because of this, the MPA Collaborative Network is undertaking a climate initiative using the guidance of its membership.
Our Timeline: From Awareness to Action
View our timeline to see how the MPA Collaborative Network has taken action through our Climate Initiative over the years!
Overview of the Climate Reports:
In 2023, the CN launched a survey and hosted 14 community-based climate forums (one in each MPA Collaborative county) where residents shared their experiences and perspectives about climate change, the coast, and MPAs; the MPACN also hired an evaluation analyst to collect and analyze all data provided.
In 2024, the MPACN then produced and published 14 community-based climate reports and 1 statewide report, each of which represent the data collected at each community-based climate forum hosted in 2023 (1 forum was hosted in each MPA Collaborative county).
Each report outlines recommendations for decision-makers to reference when planning for the climate resiliency of their respective communities. All 15 reports are now available for you to review!
Click Here to Read the Statewide California & the 14 MPA Collaborative Climate Reports.
Summary of the Climate + MPAs Microgrant:
In 2023, the MPA Collaborative Network completed the 14 community-based climate forums, and in 2024 published 1 Statewide Climate Report and 14 Climate Reports representing the data collected at each community-based climate forum (each MPA Collaborative county). Each report outlined recommendations for decision-makers to reference when planning for their respective communities in regards to climate change, the coast, and MPAs.
After the reports were published, the MPACN then hosted a “$10k Climate + MPAs Microgrant Opportunity” to fund proposals that would address some of the main concerns and recommendations from the Statewide Climate Report and the 2023 climate forums. Additionally, a webinar was hosted by the MPACN to review the reports and discuss the Microgrant Opportunity.
Overview of the Climate + MPAs Microgrant Awardees:
After 14 community-based Climate Forums were held in each MPA Collaborative county (in 2023), all 15 Climate Reports were published, and the $10k Climate + MPAs Microgrant Opportunity was announced and received proposals (in 2024); the MPACN selected three proposals to address some of the concerns and recommendations from the 2023 Climate Forums.
Awardees were announced via the MPACN Newsletter, social media channels, and in-person at MPA Collaborative Meetings. Climate + MPAs Microgrant funds have been distributed and proposals are currently underway! Projects will be completed in 2025 and presented to the public. Stay tuned by joining a MPA Collaborative and following us on social media to catch their final projects!
Resources
Watch the recording of the Climate Resilience and California’s MPA Network Webinar hosted September 28, 2023:
