City of Santa Cruz is awarded a coastal resilience grant

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION-TV) — The city of Santa Cruz has been awarded nearly eight million dollars to fight the impacts of climate change along our coast.

The grant is also included in a larger seventy one million dollar allocation to the California marine sanctuary foundation to highlight the challenges on weather events, sea level rise, and drought. 

"This funding from NOAA is a critical step in our ongoing efforts to protect our beaches, parks, and infrastructure from the growing impacts of climate change," Santa Cruz Mayor Freed said. "It allows us to take proactive measures to implement nature-based solutions that safeguard public safety, recreational access, and the natural habitats that make Santa Cruz unique."

Santa Cruz County is looking into using this funding for several key projects which include enhancing resilience at the mouth of the San Lorenzo river on Main Beach, San Lorenzo Park and Jessie Street Marsh.

This grant is in support to ensure safe and equitable access to the city’s coastline by developing new policies, plans for the current and future generations.