"To help U.S. communities better withstand and rebound from the shocks of severe weather, earthquakes and other hazards, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has just issued the Community Resilience Planning Guide for Buildings and Infrastructure Systems. 
https://www.commerce.gov/news/press-releases/2015/10/hazards-shouldnt-lead-disasters-nist-releases-new-community-resilience
The new Guide is aimed at community leaders in the public and private sectors.  It lays out a practical six-step process that communities can follow to develop resilience plans to help them prepare for hazards, adapt to changing conditions and withstand and rapidly recover from disruptions. Tailored to the particular goals, hazards, needs and resources of individual communities, these plans will help governments, utility service providers, and other organizations set priorities and allocate resources for mitigating risks, maintaining vital services, and if a hazard does strike, building back better."
Download the Guide at http://www.nist.gov/el/resilience/guide.cfm.
Questions? Contact:  Steve Cauffman at: Stephen.Cauffman@nist.gov 

"A science briefing on the potential of natural infrastructure to enhance the
resilience of our nation’s coasts"

Click the link to see the NY Time article on 

Pilot Program Aims to Save Jamaica Bay’s Shrinking Marshes

The Obama Administration has issued an memorandum "directing all Federal agencies to incorporate the value of natural, or “green,” infrastructure and ecosystem services into Federal planning and decision making. The memorandum directs agencies to develop and institutionalize policies that promote consideration of ecosystem services, where appropriate and practicable, in planning, investment, and regulatory contexts. It also establishes a process for the Federal government to develop a more detailed guidance on integrating ecosystem-service assessments into relevant programs and projects to help maintain ecosystem and community resilience, sustainable use of natural resources, and the recreational value of the Nation’s unique landscapes.This memorandum complements Ecosystem-Service Assessment: Research Needs for Coastal Green Infrastructure, a report released by the Administration in August that outlines Federal research priorities to inform the integration of coastal green infrastructure and ecosystem services considerations into planning and decision-making."

Check out the full blog text here.

"EPA has released a new web-based tool that helps local officials and other community members consider the benefits and uses of green infrastructure. Green infrastructure relies on vegetation, soils, and natural processes to manage stormwater and create healthier urban environments. The Green Infrastructure Wizard, or GIWiz, responds to growing community interest in using green infrastructure as a means of addressing water quality and a range of other local goals. Using a self-guided format, users can find EPA tools and resources to learn the basics of green infrastructure and explore options for financing it; visualize and design rain gardens and permeable pavements, understand how other communities are using green infrastructure to revitalize neighborhoods, and develop public education and outreach campaigns. EPA invites additional input on this version of the product." - EPA

Click here to access GIWiz.