Overview

BPC’s Implementing Resilience briefing series focuses on advancing sea level rise adaptation from planning to implementation. The series brings together regional leaders to explore key topics, including the Regional Shoreline Adaptation Plan (RSAP), lessons from other coastal regions, and strategies for funding and financing resilience projects.

Through these discussions, the series aims to support coordination, share practical approaches, and help move adaptation efforts forward across the Bay Area.

More information to come.

Session 3

Funding and Financing Climate Adaptation

The third briefing in BPC’s Implementing Resilience series focused on funding and financing strategies for climate adaptation projects, exploring how cities, counties, special districts, and the private sector can pay for resilience efforts.

The program featured perspectives across all levels of government:

• Brian Strong (City and County of San Francisco) provided a local perspective on how cities and counties are approaching funding and financing for resilience projects.

• Jessica Davenport (State Coastal Conservancy) discussed state funding and how programs are leveraging Proposition 4 dollars to advance resilience projects.

• Kathleen Schaefer (former FEMA) shared insights on federal funding opportunities and the role of insurance and FEMA programs in supporting both pre- and post-disaster investments.

The session was held on Wednesday, April 29, from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM and was offered in a hybrid format. In-person attendance was hosted at Marsh Risk Insurance’s office at Four Embarcadero in San Francisco, with virtual participation available via Zoom.

The discussion highlighted funding and financing challenges facing resilience projects and provided attendees with insights into local, state, and federal tools that can help support climate adaptation efforts across the Bay Area.

Session 2

Addressing Sea Level Rise: Regional Examples

The second briefing in our Implementing Resilience series focused on how different regions across the U.S. are responding to sea level rise. This hybrid session was hosted both in person at the Consulate General of The Netherlands and online on February 3rd from 12:00–1:30 PM.

The briefing featured three speakers offering regional perspectives on how communities are responding to sea level rise. Andy Sternad and Rami Diaz of Waggonner & Ball (a Moffatt & Nichol Studio) shared examples from New Orleans and Charleston, highlighting how each region is approaching adaptation and resilience. Edgar Westerhof of Arcadis also joined the discussion, providing additional insights on regional strategies for addressing sea level rise and strengthening coastal resilience.

The session provided attendees with a broader perspective on how communities in other parts of the country are planning for and responding to sea level rise, while offering valuable examples that can help inform resilience efforts in the Bay Area.

Session 1

Your Role in RSAP: Engaging as a Shoreline Stakeholder

The inaugural briefing in the Implementing Resilience series was held in a hybrid format at Moffatt & Nichol’s Walnut Creek office and online. Representatives from BCDC and Civic Edge Consulting provided an overview of RSAP development and shared guidance on how shoreline stakeholders can engage in upcoming phases of the plan.

The session took place on December 16 from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM, with participation both in person and via Zoom. The discussion focused on stakeholder roles, anticipated implementation pathways, and near-term opportunities to stay involved as RSAP moves forward.

Get Involved

Future briefings in the Implementing Resilience series will continue to explore key aspects of RSAP implementation, including financing and funding strategies, national examples of adaptation, implementation of nature-based shoreline solutions, and additional topics identified by our members.

Upcoming sessions will be posted on this webpage, and announcements will be shared through Bay Planning Coalition’s distribution list. To ensure you receive future announcements and registration details, please complete the sign-up form below.