Considering the health of our public lands and nearshore and estuary ecosystems, no threat is as urgent, or as potentially destructive, as global climate change.  Under the best of circumstances, natural systems are stressed by habitat loss, fragmentation, pollution, invasive species, extractive industries and recreational use. Scientists now predict that with the added stress of climate change, maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem function will require more rigorous, adaptive management approaches at a landscape scale.

The Harder Foundation has long supported organizations that work to reduce habitat stress and protect intact ecosystems.  The urgency of climate change alongside its impacts on public lands and waters has prompted The Harder Foundation to support strategies that accelerate the adoption of policies and approaches that:

a) foster resilience: i.e. the ability of wildlife and habitats to recover from stress;

b) create stronger connectivity between ecosystems to facilitate the movement of species across the landscape; and

c) protect functioning ecosystems and the natural resource benefits that they provide to maintain biodiversity as well as healthy, vibrant human communities, including provision of clean air, clean water, carbon storage, and economic and recreational opportunities. 

The Harder Foundation’s grantmaking program supports work that aims:

To protect biodiversity and ecosystem function by fostering the resiliency of natural systems in the face of climate change.

We are guided by the following objectives:

1.  Reduce stress on public lands and nearshore marine ecosystems from non-climate pressures that cause landscape fragmentation and degradation.  

2.  Reduce stress caused by climate change, by supporting responsible renewable energy development that does not compromise critical ecosystems.

3.  Protect intact public lands and nearshore marine ecosystems that provide critical benefits for wildlife and local communities. 

4.  Establish habitat buffer zones and wildlife corridors to enhance habitat connectivity between intact public lands, and between nearshore marine ecosystems, estuaries, and watersheds. 

5.  Support policies and resource management planning processes that prioritize climate change adaptation actions. 

6.  Strengthen the conservation community to maximize leadership, credibility and strategic allies to make substantial progress to improve environmental conditions in our region and build a durable conservation constituency.    

See Program Priorities for our grantmaking program.