Resources for

Coastal resilience

Guidance Tool

Level of Effort:

Forest Adaptation Workbook

Created by the Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science, the Adaptation Workbook provides a structured, five step process designed to help natural resource professionals and landowners translate broad climate trends into specific, actionable management plans. By moving from defining project goals to monitoring long term results, the workbook helps users assess local vulnerabilities and identify custom adaptation tactics. This flexible framework is applicable across diverse landscapes including forests, urban areas, and agricultural lands ensuring that climate data becomes a practical tool for protecting ecosystems rather than just a collection of abstract projections.

This resource page also offers a variety of supporting materials including: the full Forest Adaptation Resources guide, “Quick Guide” versions for rapid assessment, and a library of real-world demonstration projects that showcase successful adaptation in practice.

New York State
Connecticut State
Flooding
Habitat
Land Use
Nature-based Solutions
Planning
Wetlands

Funding

: Dec 18 – Jan 16, 2026

Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) 2026

This opportunity allows Connecticut communities to submit water resource project priorities for consideration in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) 2026. WRDA is a federal process led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that authorizes studies and projects related to flood risk management, coastal and shoreline protection, dredging and navigation, and ecosystem restoration. Authorization through WRDA is an important first step toward potential federal funding, though it does not guarantee that funding will be awarded. Projects typically require a non-federal cost share and must fall within the mission of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. General information is available here: Water Resources Development Acts: Primer and Action in the 119th Congress | Congress.gov | Library of Congress. See the Solicitation Letter at the link for Connecticut-specific guidance.

Connecticut State
Erosion
Flooding
Habitat
Sea Level Rise
Aquatic Resources
Stormwater Management
Infrastructure
Planning
Wetlands
Green Infrastructure

Funding

: Dec 12 – Feb 5, 2026

$20K - $200K

Long Island Sound Stewardship Fund 2026

The Long Island Sound Stewardship Fund 2026 is now open and supports nonprofit work that helps protect and restore the health and living resources of Long Island Sound. Funding is available for efforts that strengthen organizations (capacity building), build new collaborations, or support piloting tools and planning that increases environmental and natural resource impact.

New York State
Connecticut State
Erosion
Flooding
Habitat
Land Use
Nature-based Solutions
Environmental Health Hazards
Water Quality
Planning
Recreation & Access
Community Engagement
Wetlands
Green Infrastructure

Guidance Tool

Level of Effort:

Funding and Financing Coastal Resilience (Recorded Webinars)

The “Funding and Financing Coastal Resilience” webinar series from the NOAA Office for Coastal Management offers a comprehensive foundation for understanding how coastal resilience projects are funded and financed. These 30- to 45-minute recorded sessions break down complex approaches into accessible lessons, featuring experts who share real world examples, emerging strategies like environmental impact bonds and tax-increment financing, and ways to overcome common obstacles to funding such work. As a resource, the series is ideal if you’re looking to generate ideas, explore different financing pathways, and build your capacity to access and manage funding for nature-based or infrastructure-driven resilience efforts.

New York State
Connecticut State
Nature-based Solutions
Economic Impacts
Infrastructure
Planning
Funding/Grants
Community Engagement

Mapper

Level of Effort:

Coastal Barrier Resources System Mapper

Signed into law on November 25, 2024, the bipartisan BEACH Act (BEACH Act; Pub. L. 118-117) reauthorizes the Coastal Barrier Resources Act (CBRA) and updates maps for 454 coastal units across 13 U.S. states, including Connecticut. The revised Coastal Barrier Resources System (CBRS) maps are now effective and available through the CBRS Mapper

The BEACH Act expands eligibility for federal flood insurance and financial assistance in areas removed from the CBRS, while limiting new federal funding in areas added to the system. It also introduces new requirements for CBRA disclosures during real estate transactions, guidance for emergency coastal projects, and research initiatives on coastal barrier ecosystem dynamics.

Agencies involved:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), Department of Housing and Urban Development, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and U.S. Geological Survey.

New York State
Connecticut State
Erosion
Flooding
Habitat
Land Use
Aquatic Resources
Infrastructure
Planning
Policies & Regulations
Wetlands

Resilience Steps

Connect

LISP
EPA Sea Grant New York Sea Grant Connecticut