Nature Conservancy undertook a major scientific research project to map the locations of climate-resilient sites in 2020 and 2021.  For terrestrial resilience, teams of scientists mapped the bedrock and soils that underlie patterns of biodiversity as well as the topographic diversity and lack of fragmentation that promote natural resilience.  The results were combined into an index that identifies the places more likely to sustain diversity because they offer a wide range of micro-climate options within a connected network. For coastal resilience, We assessed the coastal zone of Alaska's Arctic, Beringian, and Pacific regions to estimate the relative resilience or vulnerability of 1,856 sites containing tidal marsh. We identified the sites most likely to continue to support biological diversity and ecological functions under rising sea levels up to 2.0 meters due to their ability to migrate and adapt. 

Results from the recently-completed Alaska Resilience Sites and Connected Landscape analysis show that 56% of the Alaska is in the Resilient and Connected Network.  There are many ways to use the information in this report to begin to build the resilient and connected network necessary to conserve our natural world and ourselves in the face of a rapidly changing climate. 

This project was combined with previously-completed reports for the rest of the Continental U.S. to present a robust picture of the resilient and connected network for all 50 US states.  Click here to go to the page of the rolled up Resilient and Connected analyses for all regions.  Here is a direct link to the data page for the all region roll up.