Success Stories

View case studies on how leaders in North Carolina and beyond are building community and ecosystem resilience. To filter the results, select the categories you are interested in and scroll down to select "Apply." Submit your resilience success story.

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The Elizabeth River spills over its hardened shoreline onto Mowbray Arch in Norfolk, Va., during a storm in July 2017. Norfolk is the second largest population center at risk from sea level rise, behind New Orleans. (Source: Skyler Ballard/Chesapeake Bay Program)

Norfolk, Va., updates zoning regulations to address flooding and sea level rise

Published: March 1, 2024
 

In response to impacts from chronic flooding and sea level rise, the City of Norfolk updated its zoning ordinance to manage flooding and promote safer development. The new zoning ordinance encourages new development to locate on higher ground while supporting the preservation of lower, more flood-prone properties.


Success Story Details

Landscape of destroyed homes in aftermath of tornadoes in Evansville, IN.

Northeast Indiana counties collaborate to develop debris management plans

Last Updated: April 10, 2024
 

Climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of storms in many communities. Such storms are increasing the needs of communities to manage disaster debris. Four northeastern Indiana counties collaborated to develop county-level debris management plans with the Northeast Indiana Solid Waste Management District.


Success Story Details

Aquaculture farmer and NC Oyster Trail member sets up oyster growing cages. (Source: Justin Kase Conder)

Oyster Trail protects oyster habitat and grows economy

Published: March 1, 2024
 

North Carolina partners launched the NC Oyster Trail in 2020. The trail features several tourism experiences to diversify and expand the local oyster economy. The trail includes touring shellfish farm, tasting events and educational opportunities. The trail also helps protect the oyster industry against the growing frequency of severe storms.


Success Story Details

View of the Clarion River, a tributary of the Allegheny River in west central Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania protects cold-water fisheries and water quality from climate change

Last Updated: April 21, 2024
 

Pennsylvania addressed freshwater stream health in its Climate Action Plan. The State recognized the cultural, environmental and economic importance of protecting coldwater fisheries and freshwater ecosystems from the impacts of climate change. After a vulnerability assessment, officials identified specific recommendations to include in the plan.


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Examples of summer heat educational and promotional items distributed by the NC DHHS Climate and Health Program. Items pictured include electrolyte packets, a cooling towel and a National Weather Service Heat Index Magnet. (Source: Dr. Virginia Guidry)

Preventing heat-related illness in the Sandhills region

Published: March 1, 2024
 

The NC Department of Health and Human Services implements a heat health alert system and multilingual education campaign to prevent heat-related illnesses. The programs help communities in the Sandhills region of North Carolina, where residents are especially vulnerable to rising temperatures.


Success Story Details