Western Washington is projected to warm rapidly throughout the 21st century. Increasing temperatures are projected across all seasons, with the greatest warming occurring during the summer. Projected changes in annual precipitation are small compared to year-to-year variability, however, heavy precipitation events are projected to increase in frequency and magnitude.

The Nooksack Indian Tribe vulnerability assessment estimated the climate change vulnerability of 19 species and six habitat types of importance to the Tribe. Overall vulnerability scores ranged widely, from Less Vulnerable to Extremely Vulnerable, but the majority of species ranked as Moderately Vulnerable for the 2050s under a low greenhouse gas scenario and Extremely Vulnerable for the 2050s under a high greenhouse gas scenario. Most species also ranked as Extremely Vulnerable for the 2080s under both low (RCP 4.5) and high (RCP 8.5) greenhouse gas scenarios.

During three, day-long workshops, land and wildlife management stakeholders within the Nooksack watershed (including Nooksack Indian Tribe, Whatcom County, Whatcom Land Trust, Evergreen Land Trust, WA Department of Natural Resources, WA Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Forest Service, Sierra Pacific Industries, Natural Systems Design; and the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians) evaluated, selected, and prioritized more than 200 potential adaptation actions compiled by the University of Washington Climate Impacts Group from the scientific literature and existing adaptation plans. Stakeholders refined the list to the higher-priority adaptation actions included in this plan. During review of the results of the workshops and subsequent consultation, the Tribe and collaborators added some additional actions where gaps were identified, and/or modified descriptions of actions to clarify application and relevance.

The Nooksack Indian Tribe’s Climate Change Adaptation Plan includes 140 high-priority adaptation actions that, if implemented, are expected to increase the climate resilience of the priority species and habitats addressed in this plan. Actions are grouped according to the timeframe anticipated for progress.

71 On-Going Actions are those already being implemented within the Nooksack watershed, and which will continue to be important for enhancing long-term climate resilience. This also includes actions that have been initiated specifically in response to observed or expected impacts of climate change.
84 Near-Term Actions are those for which progress can likely be made over the next five years.
56 Long-Term Actions are those expected to require more than five years to make significant progress.

A wide range of actions will be needed to prepare the Tribe for climate change and to promote species and habitat resilience in the face of climate stressors.