Monterey Bay Natural and Working Lands Climate Mitigation and Resiliency Study

On December 6, 2021, the California Department of Conservation awarded AMBAG a Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation (SALC) program planning grant to fund the creation of a Monterey Bay Natural and Working Lands Climate Mitigation and Resiliency Study.

The study includes an inventory of natural and working lands carbon stock in the AMBAG region by jurisdiction, a carbon forecast, and a list of adaptation and mitigation strategies each with recommended implementation actions. The goal of the study is to empower stakeholders to consider the health of natural and working lands as a part of long-range planning as well as provide an opportunity for cities and counties to further integrate natural and working land GHG mitigation strategies as part of their climate action planning process.

Natural and Working Lands Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies

The study team conducted extensive research across the region and state to develop a list of strategies that were appropriate and scalable in the Monterey Bay Area. These strategies are intended to locally support the implementation of the treatments listed in the CARB 2022 scoping plan. Stakeholders and subject matter experts were then consulted to assist in refining strategies and implementation actions through a series of focus group and stakeholder working group meetings held in 2023 and 2024. The strategies are organized by the broad land use categories in which they will occur:

-           Urban forests and parks

-           Forests

-           Conservation open space and agriculture lands

Monterey Bay Natural and Working Lands Climate Mitigation and Resiliency Study Report.

On April 19, 2024, the draft report of the Monterey Bay Natural and Working Lands Climate Mitigation and Resiliency Study was released to the public review period. Comments on the draft report are due Amaury Berteaud by May 20, 2024. The draft will be presented at the May 8, 2024, AMBAG Board meeting. Written comments received on the draft report will then be compiled and staff will prepare written responses.

AMBAG staff will also host two workshops for this study:

• May 9th from 5pm to 6:30pm: Registration Link
• May 10th from 12pm to 1:30pm: Registration Link

Public Draft Monterey Bay Natural and Working Lands Climate Mitigation and Resiliency Study

Appendix A: Carbon Stock Data, Tools, Inventory, and Forecast

Appendix B: Carbon Sequestration Measures Audit and Quantification

Appendix C: Stakeholder Engagement