STEP 5. Form Effective Partnerships
Natural infrastructure – wetlands, forests, healthy soils – plays a critical role in improving water quality, reducing flooding, protecting critical infrastructure, and safeguarding public health. By working together, we can harness the full potential of natural infrastructure to build a more resilient water future for everyone.
That’s why forming effective partnerships is Step 5 in the process of funding and financing coastal resiliency. Partnerships are essential for advancing natural infrastructure and strengthening climate resilience because they:
- Boost Municipal Capacity – Partnerships with community groups and non-profits boost expertise and manpower to plan, design, and maintain natural infrastructure projects that reduce municipal costs and ensure long-term success of the projects.
- Fill Funding Gaps – Diverse stakeholders bring together valuable knowledge and resources to identify a broad range of potential project benefits, strengthen funding applications, and support long-term resilience strategies and equitable outcomes.
- Build Trust and Stewardship – Partners and stakeholders bring specialized skills and strong understanding of community needs. Working in collaboration is valuable in prioritizing inclusive participation, providing environmental education and fostering community trust to develop comprehensive solutions that address the specific needs of the community.
The next sections offer guidance and resources for building your partner network and ways to join current networks. You can also get started by conducting an initial assessment of existing needs and opportunities using the Watershed Resiliency Community Worksheet.
