Resilient Counties Newsletter: May 2026

[NACo]

Having trouble viewing this email? Click Here. RESILIENT COUNTIES NEWS May 2026Welcome to the May Wildfire Edition of Resilient Counties News, NACo's bi-monthly newsletter compiling the latest on resilience-related policies, funding opportunities and resources from the National Association of
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RESILIENT COUNTIES NEWS  May 2026 Welcome to the May Wildfire Edition of Resilient Counties News, NACo's bi-monthly newsletter compiling the latest on resilience-related policies, funding opportunities and resources from the National Association of Counties and our partners. One in three Americans lives in a county with significant wildfire risk, and county leaders nationwide are finding innovative ways to protect their communities. This edition spotlights the funding opportunities, partner resources and policy developments that can help your county build a stronger, more fire-ready future.  📅 Mark your calendars! Join us at the Resilient Counties Innovation Council meeting during NACo's Annual Conference in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana. The session will take place on Sunday, July 19 from 12:00 - 1:15 p.m. and will focus on innovative county planning for resilience. We hope to see you there!

Table of Contents: Featured Wildlife Resources NACo Member Updates Open Funding Opportunities County Spotlight Partner Resources

FEATURED WILDFIRE RESOURCES Explore resources that will help your county prepare for the future

Building Wildfire Resilience: A Land Use Toolbox for County Leaders A comprehensive, science-based resource equipping county leaders with land use strategies, planning tools and policy approaches to reduce wildlife risk and build more fire-adapted communities. Learn More

Community Wildfire Planning Center Resources by State A state-by-state hub connecting county and community leaders to local wildfire planning resources, data and tools to support more targeted and effective wildfire preparedness.  Learn More

Wildland Fire Resources for Community Leaders A curated collection of resources helping community leaders understand wildland fire risk, navigate mitigation options and take action to protect residents and infrastructure from wildfire threats. Learn More

NACo MEMBER UPDATE Registration links, upcoming events and new resources

REGISTER NOW: NACo 2026 Annual Conference (July 17-20, 2026)   Registration is now open for NACo's 2026 Annual Conference in Orleans Parish/New Orleans, La. County leaders from across the country will gather to exchange best practices, explore key policy priorities and connect with peers and partners shaping the future of county government.  The Resilient Counties Innovation Council will hold an in-person meeting on Sunday, July 19 from 12:00 - 1:15 p.m. during the 2026 Annual Conference. Register

On the Annual Conference Agenda: Army Corps of Engineers Western Enclosure Dam Tour (July 16 & 20, 2026 | 2:30 - 5:00pm) The Western Enclosure is a key component of the region’s hurricane protection system, designed and constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in partnership with local and state agencies. It includes levees, floodwalls, gates and pump stations that reduce storm surge risk for communities on the west bank of Orleans and Jefferson Parishes. During the tour, attendees will learn how the system fits into broader resilience efforts following Hurricane Katrina and will witness a live test of the pumping system in operation.  Registration coming soon. Limited to 55 participants.

REGISTER NOW: 2026 NACo Energy Symposium (Sept. 23-25) Join county leaders from across the county in Armstrong, Carson and Potter Counties, Texas for the 2026 NACo Energy Symposium. Held September 23-25, 2026, this event will offer county officials a unique opportunity to engage with the most pressing energy issues shaping America today.  Register

Federal Permits, Local Partnerships: Counties and the Federal Permitting Landscape NACo has released a new primer outlining the financial and operational permitting delays on county infrastructure projects. The primer highlights NACo's specific legislative asks, progress already secured in the SPEED Act and CERTAIN Act and the foundation laid by the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023. Learn More

FEMA Review Council Releases Final Report The FEMA Review Council released its final report on May 7, 2026, outlining ten recommendations to restructure the nation's approach to disaster preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation. Recommendations include replacing the Public Assistance program with a direct block grant, consolidating Individual Assistance into a single payment and raising federal disaster declaration thresholds.  Learn More

Introducing AWARE Flood Detection for Smarter Emergency Response NACo Public Promise Procurement is highlighting the AWARE Flood Detection system, a real-time monitoring tool available to counties through its public safety contract with Safeware, Inc. During catastrophic flash flooding in Texas, counties with AWARE deployed saw zero flood-related fatalities, thanks to early alerts, automated road closures and preemptive evacuations.  Learn More

Open Funding Opportunities Explore current funding opportunities for your county

Building Resilience Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) FEMA has made $1 billion available through the FY2024-2025 BRIC program. County governments may apply as sub applicants through their state hazard mitigation office via the FEMA GO portal. Counties are eligible to apply for up to $150 million per award.  Apply by July 23, 2026 Learn More

WaterSMART Drought Response Program Funding is available for drought contingency planning and construction of drought resilience projects. County and local authorities with water or power delivery authority may apply directly, with federal cost-share awards up to $3 million per project. Apply by July 28, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. MDT Learn More

County Spotlight Palm Beach County, Fla. pioneers habitat restoration efforts Bonefish Cove is Palm Beach County’s newest habitat restoration project in Lake Worth Lagoon. Using beneficial reuse sand from the Port of Palm Beach, this emerging chain of islands is being transformed into vital habitat for nesting shorebirds, mangroves, seagrass and oysters, helping improve water quality while supporting fisheries and wildlife throughout the lagoon.

Even before completion, American Oystercatcher and other threatened shorebirds had already begun utilizing the new Bonefish Cove restoration islands as places to rest and forage. Species like this striking oystercatcher are a powerful symbol of restoration success in Lake Worth Lagoon demonstrating how collaborative habitat restoration efforts can help bring wildlife back to ecosystems once heavily altered.

PARTNER RESOURCES Hear from trusted industry experts on new resources and upcoming events

AGA 2026 update to Building for Efficiency: Home Appliance Cost and Emissions Comparison:  This study compares natural gas appliances to other options in terms of greenhouse gas emissions and cost, providing valuable insights for county leaders looking to enhance energy efficiency without sacrificing consumer energy choice. Learn more.

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and the International Code Council (ICC) ICC 700-2025 National Green Building Standard® (NGBS):  Approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the 2025 NGBS continues to define the benchmark for sustainable residential construction, renovation and land development across the United States. Learn more.

The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) Electric Rates Course (August 2-5, 2026 | Madison, WI.):  Designed for utility professionals with a foundational understanding of ratemaking, this course covers essential rate-making tools and strategies, equipping attendees to navigate today's complex technical and financial challenges. Learn more.

ACP Publishes Annual Market Report:  ACP’s flagship market report reveals how utility-scale clean energy is powering economic growth, creating jobs, and meeting the nation’s surging electricity demand through record investment, deployment, and new manufacturing facilities. In 2025, the clean power sector invested $79 billion in new projects, supported more than 1.4 million jobs, and accounted for over 90% of all new electricity capacity added to the grid. Learn more.

GoRail Railroad Crossing Elimination Webinar: GoRail's latest webinar brought Federal Railroad Administration experts together with more than 1,000 local and state leaders to break down the Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) program and its latest funding opportunity. The discussion covered eligible projects, application requirements, and how communities can secure funding from the $1.1 billion now available for crossing safety improvements. Learn more.

EDF Climate-Ready Insurance Resources: Summer is right around the corner, but extreme weather is already picking up across the country. From the severe storms across the Midwest to unprecedented fires in Nebraska and Georgia to catastrophic flooding in Hawaii, the time to prepare is now. Insurance is a crucial component of both disaster preparation and response and Environmental Defense Fund has a range of resources that offer insights and guidance for county officials looking to navigate challenges in an increasingly complicated insurance landscape. Learn more.

Thank you to our partners!

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