FEMA’s position on nature based solutions

The FEMA Logo. This logo contains a grey circle with the words "U.S. Department Of Homeland Security" written in blue font. A Bald Eagle is at the center of the logo with a shield on its chest. On the shield are white stars with a blue background, a white building, and waves in dark and light blue and white. The Eagle has an olive branch in its left talon and arrows in its right talon. Behing the Eagle is a smaller red circle. To the right of the logo is are the words "FEMA" in dark blue font.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency acknowledges that climate change can create and intensify the impact of natural disasters.

FEMA Guidance 2023: Flooding, heat, drought, landslides, wildfires and other hazards threaten lives, properties and economies. Because of climate change, these events happen more often with more intensity and more costs. They can overwhelm current public services and assets. They can also forever change cities and towns. Local communities plan for and carry out risk reduction strategies to address these hazards. 

Building Community Resilience with Nature-Based Solutions

And, as part of this shift toward nature-based solutions, FEMA acknowledges that sustaining tree canopy can both mitigate and stimulate recovery from disasters.

FEMA Guidance 2020: FEMA has worked to ensure that the path to implementing nature-based solutions is as straightforward as possible, driving innovation and encouraging wider adoption of sustainable practices and hazard mitigation solutions.

The front page of FEMA's guide to Building Community Resilience with Nature-Based Solutions. At the top right is the FEMA logo. The top has a blue background with white lines from topographic map. The words Building Community Resilience with Nature-Based Solutions are in bold, white colored font in the middle. Just down from that in white font with a red banner background are the words "A Guide For Local Communities." Behind those words is a photo of the sunsetting by river with many trees. Next to the river is a paved trail, roads, and tall buildings.
Nature Based Solutions at FEMA
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Related Resources

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Sustainable Forestry Initiative’s Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard
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Sustainable Forestry Initiative
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Ten-Year Urban Forestry Action Plan (2016-2026)
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State Urban and Community Forestry Coordinators
  • Tree Equity Funding Action Guide Step

Tree Equity Funding Action Guide Step Five:
Go Public​
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Forest Health Action Guide
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