The interdependencies between the human and natural environments are rarely accounted for in the development of plans or planning tools, which have historically focused on one or the other. To help facilitate better communication between the activities, the Gulf of Mexico Alliance serves as a coordination point around which relevant conservation, restoration, socio-economic, and resiliency data and tools are developed and managed to inform the decision-making of the wide array of stakeholders across the Gulf Coast.
The goal of this cross-team initiative is to foster greater integration among planning aspects of restoration, conservation, and resiliency to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of on the ground efforts.
Regional Coastal Resilience Grant – 2017 Community Projects
The NOAA Office of Coastal Management awarded a 3-year grant to the Gulf of Mexico Alliance in 2016. There are funds to support 10 community pilot projects. Gulf Coast communities submitted project ideas that address a resilience need or gap identified through a vulnerability assessment such as the Community Resilience Index. To date, 8 of the 10 community projects have been selected for funding. The awarded communities are listed below.
- Florida: South Florida Regional Planning Council; New Port Richey and the City of Treasure Island
- Mississippi: Ocean Springs
- Louisiana: Covington
- Texas: South Padre Island, Rockport, and Aransas County
Download a PDF summary of the awards.
Team Facilitator
- Rhonda Price, Mississippi Department of Marine Resources
- Jim Pahl, Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority