Vision to Implementation Guide
The Vision to Implementation Guide is a five-step process for jurisdictions and CBOs to collaboratively develop funding-ready climate resilience projects grounded in a watershed approach and nature-based solutions.
The watershed approach views hazards and vulnerabilities as cross-jurisdictional issues and connected systems, rather than limited to a city’s borders. Nature-based solutions address climate hazards with natural systems that support human well-being and biodiversity.
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By using these approaches and prioritizing equitable engagement, this five-step process ensures that community climate resilience projects are technically sound, deeply rooted community voices and priorities, and contextualized in the broader watershed system.
A Step by Step Process
Select one of circles below to learn about each step of the Vision to Implementation Guide, or view the full document by selecting the button above. Each step provides guidance for how jurisdictions and CBOs can partner to improve transparency, collaboration, and engagement during resilience project development.
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After completing the five steps, you will have a completed Vision to Implementation Plan. Use the information in your Plan to solicit funding and involve partners to move to the next step of designing and building the project.
Also, click the button above to view the Gilroy Pilot Vision to Implementation Plan and learn about how the Gilroy community has been engaging in the five-step process with local government, community-based organizations, technical assistance consultants, and residents to design a flood resilience project.
Engagement
Scope
Understand the problem, scope the project scale and general location, and set project goals.
Community Engagement Elements
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Introduction to Community Vulnerability Workshops
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​Ask the community what they see as vulnerabilities
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Review of High Value Intervention Areas in the Resilience Project Mapping Tool with place-based and specific feedback from residents who live in the community
Outcomes
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Community-informed problem statement
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Project scale and general location
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Project goals and vision
Resources
Community Vulnerability Workshop with Climate Resilient Communities and CARAS. Part of a four-part workshop series to navigate the knowledge, lived experiences, and data that exists to better plan for flood resilience in Gilroy.
Identify
Identify specific locations and opportunities for implementing nature-based solutions.
Community Engagement Elements
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Education and community understanding of nature-based solutions
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Roundtable discussion for nature-based solutions project identification
Outcomes
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A set of nature-based solutions for addressing the climate hazards
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Community members informed about nature-based solutions options
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Potential locations for nature-based solutions identified
Resources
Example NbS Vision Card
Gilroy residents using the Nature-Based Solutions Vision Cards at the Community Vulnerability Workshop with Climate Resilient Communities and CARAS.
Assess
Assess solutions with the Multi-Benefit Assessment Tool, technical data, and community feedback to determine how well they meet project goals and maximize impact.
Community Engagement Elements
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Solution co-design and project prioritization
Outcomes
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Priority areas for the project, vetted by community and relevant stakeholders
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Priority nature-based solutions list
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Completed Multi-Benefit Assessment Worksheet
Resources
Conceptualize
Develop an overall project concept indicating what types of solutions to employ, any unique needs, and where to site solutions.
Example Project Concept Map for Christmas Hill Park in Gilroy, CA
Outcomes
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Project concept map with project border and specific locations for implementing nature-based solutions
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Completed table with each project element, the category, level of effort, and other relevant details