FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: September 10, 2026
Contact: Caroline Dodd, ANCA Climate Smart Communities Coordinator, [email protected]
ANCA Offers Free Assistance to Prepare Counties for Climate Impacts
Resilience plans can strengthen communities, attract project funding
Saranac Lake, N.Y — ANCA is offering North Country county leaders and county officials free technical assistance for creating a county-wide Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Plan (CCARP). With support from the Interagency New York State Climate Smart Communities (CSC) program administered by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, which assists local governments in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preparing for climate impacts, ANCA will create a county plan that offers a customized strategy for implementing adaptation actions that can help keep their communities safe.
At no cost, a participating county will receive a plan that includes a climate vulnerability assessment and recommended adaptation strategies designed to enhance community safety and resilience. The planning process helps communities identify current and future climate-related impacts and risks and develop practical and effective measures to adapt to changing conditions. Climate change adaptation planning expands a county’s adaptive capacity and can reduce economic and environmental losses that may arise as a result of climate change. This free assistance is available to Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Jefferson, and St. Lawrence Counties.
“We’ve seen first hand how a changing climate is impacting our homes, especially with flooding in recent years, so it’s more important than ever to plan ahead,” said ANCA Climate Smart Communities Coordinator Caroline Dodd. “A plan like this is the first step in making safety a shared priority in our communities and can help a county secure the resources, partnerships and support needed to move forward together and create a more resilient future.”
Counties are asked to identify a staff member to work closely with ANCA’s Climate & Energy Team throughout the planning process. This individual will help coordinate information gathering and draft a resolution to support the plan. ANCA will provide comprehensive support by conducting background research, leading workshops, gathering public input, and developing the final plan. Each plan will be tailored to the participating county’s unique needs, priorities, and climate challenges to maintain stable government operations during more frequent extreme weather events.
“Investing in resilience now is one of the most effective ways communities can protect themselves from the growing impacts of climate change,” said ANCA Climate & Energy Program Director Jill Henck. “With expertise from our Climate & Energy Team, communities can take proactive steps today that help reduce future costs of climate-related disasters, better protect residents and infrastructure, and leverage additional funding – while also building community resilience.”
For more information about a county-wide CCARP plan, please reach out to ANCA Climate Smart Communities Coordinator Caroline Dodd at [email protected].
ANCA is a regional nonprofit and economic hub building shared prosperity across northern New York. Focused on small businesses, climate & energy, local food systems, and welcoming & belonging, ANCA works to ensure the long-term viability of the North Country, empowering individual wellbeing, economic strength, and regional stewardship. ANCA works with individuals, groups, and communities across 14 counties to navigate resources, cultivate networks, generate economic and community solutions, build shared capacity, and shape region-boosting narratives.
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Photo caption: ANCA’s Climate & Energy Team lead a public input workshop for Lewis County to identify regional adaptation strategies.
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