Building Resilience: Climate Strategies for Rural Communities

Wildfire, drought, and climate change are reshaping rural life. But communities are responding with wisdom and strength.

Rural communities are no strangers to change—but the stakes are rising.

As climate disruptions become more frequent and intense, we’re seeing rural Californians respond with innovation, leadership, and resilience.

Some of the most effective strategies include:

• Home hardening and defensible space projects

• Community-based emergency planning

• Stewardship practices rooted in Indigenous knowledge

• Cross-agency coordination for large-scale impact

At RRP, we help bring these strategies to life through funding, education, and connection. Our work isn’t about “saving” rural communities—it’s about resourcing them to lead.

We know rural doesn’t mean forgotten. It means rooted. And with the right support, rural resilience can lead the way.

Man checking his crops.