Located in the eastern portion of Central California, Tuolumne County spans over 2,200 square miles from the alpine terrain of the Sierra Nevada and Yosemite National Park to the rolling plains and pasturelands of the foothills of the Central Valley. The county has a strong connection to the natural environment, with the surrounding mountains, waters, and lands of the Sierra Nevada offering numerous opportunities for outdoor recreation. These natural resources are also pivotal to the county’s economy and the well-being of its residents. However, the county is facing new challenges related to climate change that threaten its communities, resources, and way of life.
In response, and with Ascent’s assistance, Tuolumne County prepared its first-ever Climate Action Plan. The CAP aims to build resilience to climate-related hazards, reduce local greenhouse gas emissions, and preserve and improve the county’s natural resources and quality of life through climate action strategies that are organized into five comprehensive focus areas: health and safety, conservation and recreation, buildings, infrastructure, and agriculture and forestry. The CAP is a local product that reflects and addresses the values, priorities, and unique characteristics of the community (e.g., wood-burning stoves), which was a result of extensive community engagement and consensus building.
APA California – Central Section: 2023 Excellence and Achievement in Planning – Innovation in Resilience and Sustainability Award of Merit