THE CALIFORNIA NEVADA ADAPTATION PROGRAM
The California Nevada Adaptation Program (CNAP) work focuses on research that supports decision makers and local and regional scales to prepare communities for local-level actions to address extreme weather and natural hazards. This emphasis on preparedness provides opportunities to reduce costly damages from weather extremes that can devastate communities and economies.
To improve weather preparedness in California and Nevada by providing decision makers usable research through integrating cutting- edge physical and social science.
IMPACTS
California and Nevada will be increasingly impacted by extreme heat, wildfire and smoke, flooding, drought, and coastal flooding. These impacts intersect and will strain the region’s communities and economies. CNAP is working to create a network of scientists, local institutions and community members to help create a resilient and prosperous region.
APPROACH
CNAP’s approach to resilience is built on three key pathways — convening and connecting, co-produced research, and catalyzing solutions. These pathways are supported by four core tenets: knowledge-to-action partnerships, mental/physical health, extreme weather preparedness, and regional resiliency.
NEWS & UPDATES
Meet Cayenne Engel
Cayenne Engel, M.Sc., is a Staff Research Scientist in urban climate adaptation who joined DRI in September 2024. Based at DRI’s Las Vegas campus, she is dedicating her time to assessing and expanding the region’s urban tree canopy to bring relief to communities burdened by temperatures that regularly soar above 100° Fahrenheit. In the following interview, Engel shares her passion for public service-oriented research, how Nevada’s unparalleled landscape lured her west, and her love for intricate puzzles.
Meet Ariel Choinard, Project Coordinator for CNAP & Southern Nevada Heat Resiliency Lab
Ariel Choinard, M.A., started at DRI in February 2023 as the project coordinator for the California-Nevada Adaptation Program (CNAP) and the new Southern Nevada Heat Resiliency Lab. She is working with Tamara Wall, Ph.D., to build connections between scientists, community members, and community organizations to co-produce solutions, adaptations, and resilience to natural hazards.
DRI’s CNAP Project Selected as Regional Model for Building National Climate Adaptation
DRI is leading the way in building regional climate resiliency through the California-Nevada Adaptation Program, which will prepare communities for local-level action to address climate hazards including extreme heat and wildfire smoke, water scarcity, and coastal flooding.
DRI Leading $5 Million Regional Climate Adaptation Project
With $5 million from NOAA’s Climate Adaptation Partners initiative, CNAP will focus on preparing communities to address local natural hazards.
Drought Conditions Intensify Across California and Nevada
U.S. Drought Monitor shows that 91 percent of California and 100 percent of Nevada now in drought, according to a Drought Status Update.
PROJECTS
GREAT BASIN TRIBAL ALLIANCE
SUPPORTING HOUSEHOLD HEALTH ADAPTATION
THE NEVADA HEAT LAB
WATER RESILIENCE, CLIMATE INFORMATION, AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
