Climate Resilience in Menominee County
In 2014 the Menominee Conservation District partnered with Model Forestry Policy Program's Climate Solution University to do forest and water assessments of current conditions and trends, predicted impacts of a changing climate and set goals to keep Menominee County resilient in the face of change. 2015 found us working with Great Lakes Integrated Science and Assessments (GLISA) on implementation and gathering date for a localized climate information document. You may find the GLISA document here. Here is the Executive Summary with Goals from the 2014 plan. (a link to the full pdf verison of the plan here)
Executive Summary
Menominee County is rich in natural resources that are a source of pride to area residents. In the face of a changing climate this plan was written to ensure adaptation and resilience of our forests and waters. Assessing the possible risks allows for solutions to be found and implementation to take place.
Located in south-central Upper Michigan, along Green Bay of Lake Michigan, Menominee County is comprised of 668,000 acres. Within these acres lie eight square miles of inland waters. Two watersheds, the Menominee River and the Cedar-Ford, neatly divide the county in half. The land is 75-80% forested with another 10-15% in agriculture use. Timber and agriculture have been part of Menominee County since the 1800’s and are still significant contributors to the local economy today. Hunting, fishing, and other outdoor recreation activities are enjoyed by residents and are also important economically as they bring in tourist dollars. Home to a declining population that has a rising median age and almost 25% of children under 18 living below the poverty level, Menominee County is home to several vulnerable populations
The largest population center in Menominee County is the city of Menominee, located on the mouth of the Menominee River. Just across the river sits the sister city of Marinette, Wisconsin. Concerns about the waters of the Menominee are shared by both cities. At the base of Green Bay lies the city of Green Bay. Concerns about the waters in the bay are shared by all: Menominee, Marinette, and Green Bay.
Changes to our Midwest climate have been increasing. The rate of warming in the Midwest has accelerated greatly in the last twenty years and our precipitation patterns are shifting. Projections of future climate conditions for Menominee County show an increase in annual temperatures of an average three degrees Fahrenheit by 2050 and four and a half degrees by 2070. While three to four weeks less of days below freezing in the winter may sound good to some, more days above 95 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer does not. Drought, heat related illness, and invasive species all increase in warmer temperatures. Precipitation is expected to increase in the winter months, with more falling as rain versus snow. The number of significant storms with high rate of precipitation falling in shorter amounts of time is also expected to increase. This causes concerns for flooding, erosion, and pollution.
Concern for the affects this changing climate will have on Menominee County led to the Menominee Conservation District working with Climate Solutions University in developing this adaptation plan. To protect Menominee County’s natural resources and the ecosystem services they provide a team was assembled from varied backgrounds and areas of expertise. With guidance from Climate Solutions University an assessment of the conditions and trends in our forests and waters was completed. Risk assessments based on predicted climate change were also completed. These assessments identified several key risks. This plan focuses on the risks most likely to occur and those affecting benefits of higher importance, such as increased precipitation affecting the agriculture industry.
Climate risks to our forests (and therefore affecting our timber industry, hunting and outdoor recreation and the ability to filter our air and water) that were identified are as follows:
· Drought
· Increased pests and disease
· Seasonal shift
· Northern species shift
· Increased invasive species
· Lack of regeneration
· Lack of long-term management practices
· Loss of wildlife habitat
Climate risks to our waters (and therefore affecting our timber and agriculture industries, shipping, fishing, and our drinking water) that were identified are as follows:
· Flooding
· Erosion
· Fluctuating water levels
· Late, wet springs
· Loss of habitat
· Increased invasive species
· Pollution
Another risk discovered was the lack of preparedness in Menominee County if a major disaster struck.
Taking into consideration these risks and the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the team members seven high priority goals were set. Implementation of these goals has already begun with funding being awarded through Great Lakes Integrated Sciences and Assessment for 2015. Some goals are short term and some long term, with many being ongoing using education as a tool. Goals identified are:
Goal 1: Integrate climate resilience provisions into planning processes and documents for at least three high priority Menominee County plans.
Goal 2: Provide support for ongoing timber-based economy while maintaining health and integrity of forest ecosystem (highest value use of forest resources).
Goal 3 Provide support for ongoing agriculture-based economy with climate resilient farming practices that preserve ecological, social, and economic value.
Goal 4: Develop policies and practices that reduce invasives and slow new introductions.
Goal 5: Promote ecological integrity of our native habitat and ecosystems.
Goal 6: Research and identify specific adaptation strategies for water cycle impacts with a focus on shifting precipitation patterns including wet springs, drought, floods, storms, etc.
Goal 7: Promote and manage implementation of adaptation strategies through collaborative fundraising and project management, including monitoring and outcome reporting.
Executive Summary
Menominee County is rich in natural resources that are a source of pride to area residents. In the face of a changing climate this plan was written to ensure adaptation and resilience of our forests and waters. Assessing the possible risks allows for solutions to be found and implementation to take place.
Located in south-central Upper Michigan, along Green Bay of Lake Michigan, Menominee County is comprised of 668,000 acres. Within these acres lie eight square miles of inland waters. Two watersheds, the Menominee River and the Cedar-Ford, neatly divide the county in half. The land is 75-80% forested with another 10-15% in agriculture use. Timber and agriculture have been part of Menominee County since the 1800’s and are still significant contributors to the local economy today. Hunting, fishing, and other outdoor recreation activities are enjoyed by residents and are also important economically as they bring in tourist dollars. Home to a declining population that has a rising median age and almost 25% of children under 18 living below the poverty level, Menominee County is home to several vulnerable populations
The largest population center in Menominee County is the city of Menominee, located on the mouth of the Menominee River. Just across the river sits the sister city of Marinette, Wisconsin. Concerns about the waters of the Menominee are shared by both cities. At the base of Green Bay lies the city of Green Bay. Concerns about the waters in the bay are shared by all: Menominee, Marinette, and Green Bay.
Changes to our Midwest climate have been increasing. The rate of warming in the Midwest has accelerated greatly in the last twenty years and our precipitation patterns are shifting. Projections of future climate conditions for Menominee County show an increase in annual temperatures of an average three degrees Fahrenheit by 2050 and four and a half degrees by 2070. While three to four weeks less of days below freezing in the winter may sound good to some, more days above 95 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer does not. Drought, heat related illness, and invasive species all increase in warmer temperatures. Precipitation is expected to increase in the winter months, with more falling as rain versus snow. The number of significant storms with high rate of precipitation falling in shorter amounts of time is also expected to increase. This causes concerns for flooding, erosion, and pollution.
Concern for the affects this changing climate will have on Menominee County led to the Menominee Conservation District working with Climate Solutions University in developing this adaptation plan. To protect Menominee County’s natural resources and the ecosystem services they provide a team was assembled from varied backgrounds and areas of expertise. With guidance from Climate Solutions University an assessment of the conditions and trends in our forests and waters was completed. Risk assessments based on predicted climate change were also completed. These assessments identified several key risks. This plan focuses on the risks most likely to occur and those affecting benefits of higher importance, such as increased precipitation affecting the agriculture industry.
Climate risks to our forests (and therefore affecting our timber industry, hunting and outdoor recreation and the ability to filter our air and water) that were identified are as follows:
· Drought
· Increased pests and disease
· Seasonal shift
· Northern species shift
· Increased invasive species
· Lack of regeneration
· Lack of long-term management practices
· Loss of wildlife habitat
Climate risks to our waters (and therefore affecting our timber and agriculture industries, shipping, fishing, and our drinking water) that were identified are as follows:
· Flooding
· Erosion
· Fluctuating water levels
· Late, wet springs
· Loss of habitat
· Increased invasive species
· Pollution
Another risk discovered was the lack of preparedness in Menominee County if a major disaster struck.
Taking into consideration these risks and the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the team members seven high priority goals were set. Implementation of these goals has already begun with funding being awarded through Great Lakes Integrated Sciences and Assessment for 2015. Some goals are short term and some long term, with many being ongoing using education as a tool. Goals identified are:
Goal 1: Integrate climate resilience provisions into planning processes and documents for at least three high priority Menominee County plans.
Goal 2: Provide support for ongoing timber-based economy while maintaining health and integrity of forest ecosystem (highest value use of forest resources).
Goal 3 Provide support for ongoing agriculture-based economy with climate resilient farming practices that preserve ecological, social, and economic value.
Goal 4: Develop policies and practices that reduce invasives and slow new introductions.
Goal 5: Promote ecological integrity of our native habitat and ecosystems.
Goal 6: Research and identify specific adaptation strategies for water cycle impacts with a focus on shifting precipitation patterns including wet springs, drought, floods, storms, etc.
Goal 7: Promote and manage implementation of adaptation strategies through collaborative fundraising and project management, including monitoring and outcome reporting.