Northwoods & Waters Community Resilience Collaborative

Protecting and enhancing our air, water, land, wildlife, infrastructure and community resources across North-Central Minnesota.

Minnesota faces escalating climate challenges, including extreme weather, forest pests, shifting precipitation, and habitat changes that threaten infrastructure, natural resources, and Tribal cultural lifeways. The Arrowhead Regional Development Commission (ARDC) is working in partnership with the Headwaters Regional Development Commission (HRDC) the University of Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership (MCAP), and Bemidji State University to establish a Community Resilience Collaborative throughout Northern Minnesota. The Northwoods & Waters Community Resilience Collaborative will:

• Develop a Regional Resilience Plan integrating climate science, Indigenous knowledge, and local expertise.
• Build a long-term network of counties, Tribal Nations, universities, and environmental organizations for regional resilience efforts.
• Implement pilot projects such as wetland restoration, sustainable forest management, energy efficiency, and resilient infrastructure.
• Enhance community capacity through technical assistance, funding, and education.

Partnership & Collaboration

We invite state & local governments, Tribal Nations, Colleges & Universities, and community organizations to:

• Join the collaborative to exchange knowledge with regional partners. ◦ Help shape the Climate Resilience Plan by contributing expertise on climate risks and adaptation.
• Access leading-edge climate data for informed decision-making. ◦ Partner on pilot projects like wetland restoration, sustainable forestry, and resilient infrastructure.
• Engage in outreach in your community to ensure local input guides project design.
• Align conservation efforts with regional resilience goals. ◦ Support Tribal-led initiatives by integrating Indigenous knowledge and priorities.

More Information

Funding Acknowledgement