Climate Adaptation and Resilience Actions

There are many things you can do to adapt to a warmer, wetter, weirder climate. Resilient Fairfax actions involve a range of topics, county departments and skillsets. We're here to help with practical actions you can take right at home and a curated list of climate resilience and adaptation resources from across the county.

This page includes top actions to consider, and a comprehensive list of actions related to community services, adaptive environments, resilient infrastructure and buildings, and integrated action planning.

Questions? Email the Resilient Fairfax team at ResilientFairfax@fairfaxcounty.gov

Three Important Ways to Boost Your Climate Resilience

Plant a climate-resilient tree. Check out a list of resilient trees.
Reduce flood risk to your home and yard:
1. Reduce flood risk to your home through the Flood Mitigation Assistance Program (FMAP).
2. Address stormwater concerns in your yard with the Conservation Assistance Program (CAP).
Connect with Coordinated Services Planning to ensure your basic needs are met and build your household’s resilience. Call 703-222-0800 to be connected to a range of county and community-based services and resources.

Community Services

Adapt to a warmer, wetter, and weirder climate conditions and help Fairfax County become a more climate-ready community through community services and resources:

Connect with Coordinated Services Planning to ensure your basic needs are met and build your household’s resilience. Call 703-222-0800 to be connected to a range of county and community-based services and resources.
See if your home’s location is at risk of flooding or extreme heat using the Resilient Fairfax Interactive Map.
Prepare for emergencies by signing up for Fairfax Alerts and reviewing other resources from Ready Fairfax.

Adapt to Heat:

Find a cooling center near you.
Find help with air conditioning equipment or electricity bills through the following programs. (Learn about the difference between these programs.)
- AC Rescue program for help with cooling equipment.
- Cooling Assistance, Crisis Assistance, or Fuel Assistance for help paying electricity bills. Income, age, and/or disability requirements apply.
- The Senior Cool Care program for help with cooling equipment if you’re an older, low-income resident.
Learn about urban heat islands and heat-resilient design.
Consider installing a cool roof or cool exterior walls at your home or business.
Learn how to save energy (and keep your home cooler) through Energy Compass.
Review additional Fairfax County resources on extreme heat.

Adapt to Flooding:

Reduce flood risk to your home through the Flood Mitigation Assistance Program (FMAP).
Address stormwater concerns in your yard with the Conservation Assistance Program (CAP).
Review additional Fairfax County resources on flooding including flood risk, the availability of flood insurance, flood protection methods and how to prepare for emergencies.

For public building and infrastructure upgrades, please see “Resilient Infrastructure and Buildings.” For tree planting, please see “Adaptive Environments.”

Adaptive Environments

When our trees, wetlands, streams and other natural resources are healthy, they can help us adapt to a changing climate.

Plant a climate-resilient tree. Check out a list of resilient trees.
Call the correct agency about hazardous trees, such as trees at risk of falling.
Volunteer for a tree planting program or other environmental volunteering opportunities.
Learn more about trees through Urban and Community Forestry resources.
Participate in Watch the Green Grow, a Fairfax County Park Authority education program.
Participate in programs by the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District.
Learn about living shorelines and stream restorations in Fairfax County.
Learn about Helping our Land Heal, the Park Authority’s ecosystem restoration effort.

Resilient Infrastructure and Buildings

The county is working to upgrade public infrastructure and buildings to ensure our built environment can withstand warmer, wetter, and weirder conditions. Stay up to date and participate in the following ways:

Report flooding and drainage issues such as public storm drains that need to be fixed.
Learn about Stormwater Improvement Projects the county is completing to improve our county’s ability to handle flooding.
Learn how to properly maintain stormwater infrastructure at your home or business.
Upgrade your business or multi-family building with resilience and energy-efficiency enhancements through the Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) program.
Learn about action the region is taking to improve the resilience of our transportation infrastructure and our military bases.

Integrated Action Planning

Integrated action planning provides the foundation for long-term success in climate adaptation through strong interagency coordination, high-quality climate data, funding and alignment of related county plans and policies.

Climate Resilience Data:

Explore Fairfax County climate trends and projections on the Overall Resilience Metrics webpage.
See how climate hazards overlap with buildings, infrastructure and natural resources in the Resilient Fairfax Interactive Map.
See near real-time rain data on the NVRC Regional Rain Gauge Platform.
Check out how the climate is changing across the Mid-Atlantic through resources from Mid-Atlantic Regional Integrated Sciences and Assessments (MARISA).

Climate-Related Updates to County Plans and Policies:

The Countywide Strategic Plan, which serves as a road map to guide the work of the Fairfax County government, including climate adaptation and resilience considerations.
The Urban Design Guidelines, which include climate resilience considerations such as cooler materials.
The Fairfax County Comprehensive Plan, which serves as a guide for land development, including climate considerations.
Public Facilities Manual amendments related to Resilient Fairfax, including the PFM amendment for Resilient Trees.
Learn about the Fairfax County’s emergency plans.

Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination

Alert:

Three Important Ways to Boost Your Climate Resilience

Community Services

Adaptive Environments

Resilient Infrastructure and Buildings

Integrated Action Planning

Resilient Home Spot the Difference Game

Related Resources

Fairfax Virtual Assistant