Habitat Conservation Opportunities in Natural Hazard Areas

Author
David Salvesen, Ryan Winterberg-Lipp and Peter Zambito, Institute for the Environment, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Rebecca Kihslinger, Environmental Law Institute
Date Released
January 2010

The Environmental Law Institute (ELI) and the University of North Carolina Institute for the Environment (IE) have released a report identifying opportunities to coordinate habitat conservation and hazard mitigation planning in areas at risk of flooding and other natural hazards. The report provides recommendations for improving implementation of the State Wildlife Action Plans in natural hazard zones through illustrative mapping of priority habitats, innovative funding, and improved policies that both facilitate wildlife conservation and address the challenges and opportunities posed by climate change. The authors find that while many opportunities for coordinated planning exist, numerous obstacles must be overcome, including a lack of awareness of, and commitment to, the State Wildlife Action Plans.

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