The Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council and its Regional Resiliency Coalition will be hosting the fourth Regional Resiliency Summit on May 9 and 10 at the Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort. This year’s event is a celebration of five years of collaboration. Wide-ranging topics addressed by experts from across the state will include presentations on how communities can cope with sea level rise, achieve regional “net zero emissions,” and transform stormwater facilities into neighborhood amenities.
New this year is a panel discussion on how climate change will impact food systems and how local organizations are working to provide healthy food grown in urban settings. “This topic has been requested after every summit,” said Wren Krahl, TBRPC Executive Director. “Ensuring that all residents have access to nutritious food will be a critical issue as temperatures rise, forcing the cost of food to increase as well.”
The proposal to “Elevate Treasure Island” will also be featured, with a panel discussion on how the city is expected to allow the use of fill material (previously not approved) to raise homes and roads, as well as plans to improve stormwater drainage during high tides. “As a low-lying barrier island, Treasure Island is at the forefront of sea level rise in the Tampa Bay region,” said Alana Todd, Principal Environmental Planner at the TBRPC. “What’s happening here is a preview of what every waterfront community will face in the future.”
The Tampa Bay Regional Resiliency Coalition, which now includes seven counties and 26 cities, was established in 2018 to address the numerous issues related to climate change on a regional level. Its Regional Resiliency Action Plan includes 10 high-level goals with dozens of objectives and recommended actions. The Regional Resiliency Summit brings local governments together with experts who can help guide actions on both a regional and local level across Tampa Bay. The summit will conclude with the 30th Future of the Region Awards Luncheon on May 10th.