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 region of six Hawaiian Islands and estimated the relative resilience or vulnerability of sites containing tidal marsh, tidal flats, and anchialine pools. We identified the sites most likely to continue to support biological diversity and ecological functions under rising sea levels up to 6.5 feet due to their ability to migrate upslope and adapt. 

Results from the recently-completed Hawaii Resilience Sites and Connected Landscape analysis show that the resilient and connected network that covers 35% (1.4 million acres) plus another 1.5% (62 thousand acres) of resilient land. 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.