Leading with Equity in Adaptation Practice
About Leading with Equity in Adaptation Practice (“LEAP”)
Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC) and the American Society for Adaptation Professionals (ASAP) are behind a new program to support climate change projects in the Upper Texas Gulf Coast Region. The Leading with Equity in Adaptation Practice (LEAP) Program is an opportunity for people across the region to learn together, build understanding and trust, undertake local projects together, and create a stronger and more diverse network of people preparing for the impacts of climate change. The LEAP Program centers community perspectives on the impacts of extreme weather and climate change, supporting community leaders’ efforts to make their communities safer and healthier.
Community collaboration and leadership is at the heart of the LEAP Program. When members of the community—with multiple backgrounds and experiences—participate, this strengthens their response to new risks and opportunities in a changing climate.
The Upper Texas Gulf Coast includes Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Jefferson, Liberty, Montgomery, & Waller Counties
LEAP will bring together two groups: leaders from communities with climate change issues they would like to address (Community Leaders) and practitioners with experience in identifying and implementing climate change solutions (Climate Adaptation Practitioners). LEAP will match them into Community Teams and build the space where they can learn from each other and deepen relationships. Participants in the program can expect to grow their skills and networks as they expand their community’s knowledge and capacity to respond to climate change impacts.
Community Leaders: learn more and apply on the Community Leaders page.
Climate adaptation practitioners: learn more and apply on the Adaptation Practitioners page.
During the Program Kickoff Event (June 2023), participants will have an opportunity to:
Meet and build relationships with fellow participants and project staff.
Gain knowledge of the structure, benefits, and expectations for the LEAP program.
Participate in a training on the Principles of Quality Climate Change Adaptation.
Participate in training on Approaching Climate Change Adaptation through Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (for Climate Adaptation Practitioners) or Making Climate Adaptation Work for Your Community (for Community Leaders).
Learn about Upper Gulf Coast-specific adaptation planning and data resources, including Resilience Science Information Network.
Connect and collaborate with your Community Team and explore the dialogue, planning, and action you may undertake together.
During the Team Building and Team Dialogue phase (July-Sep 2023), Community Teams collaborate to:
Define a set of questions to drive climate resilience planning and action in the community.
Identify and characterize climate risks in the context of local trends.
Frame localized, culturally relevant ways to think about climate change resilience and adaptation strategies.
Identify and scope a project to address climate risks and community priorities.
During the Action Phase (Fall 2023-Summer 2024), Community Teams will implement a project in the community. Teams will receive ongoing support including:
Regular check-ins with other teams and program staff.
Support identifying resources and strategies for climate resilience planning and action.
Support for exploring available resources and potential funding and finance opportunities to expand project impacts.
Participants will join a final Celebratory Event (Fall 2024) to share results and celebrate accomplishments with other LEAP teams and the broader community across the region and across the climate change field.
Community Leaders: learn more and apply on the Community Leaders page.
Climate adaptation practitioners: learn more and apply on the Adaptation Practitioners page.