Mid-Atlantic Regional Integrated Sciences and Assessments

Mid-Atlantic Regional Integrated Sciences and Assessments (MARISA)

Helping Mid-Atlantic communities become more resilient to a changing climate through improved data, place-based decision support, and public engagement.

Featured Resources

Latest Releases

A Scoping Literature Review on Indicators and Metrics for Assessing Racial Equity in Disaster Preparation, Response, and Recovery
Jul 15, 2021

Disasters have the potential to exacerbate preexisting racial inequities. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency have made commitments to reduce social inequities, but frameworks, indicators and metrics are needed for tracking progress toward equity goals.
Developing Future Projected Intensity-Duration-Frequency (IDF) Curves: Technical Report
Jul 9, 2021

To support stormwater managers in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed and Virginia in adapting to climate change, this study updated intensity-duration-frequency (IDF) curves, a common tool used for stormwater infrastructure design, to reflect future climate changes.

Climate Summary

Mid-Atlantic Regional Climate Impacts Summary and Outlook: Spring 2021
Jun 21, 2021

The Mid-Atlantic region experienced generally warm and dry weather in spring. Use the interactive tool to explore a case study of urban flooding in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania during current and future climate conditions.

What We Do

MARISA will rely on scientific models and information alongside close interactions with stakeholders and decisionmakers to achieve its objectives.

Collaborating and integrating research and outreach

Work closely with community leaders, policymakers, practitioners, and academics to create information and decision-support tools that strengthen resilience to climate variability and change.
Assessing risks and vulnerabilities

Develop climate data and tools to understand vulnerabilities in diverse contexts, including a comprehensive flood risk assessment for Chesapeake Bay communities.
Improving adaptation and planning strategies

Develop planning tools to help ensure sustainable freshwater availability, ecosystem vitality, and economic prosperity.
Educating students and communities

Train graduate and undergraduate students and community members to understand real-world challenges and opportunities in the Mid-Atlantic region.
Supporting regional climate assessments

Inform and organize national and regional climate assessments through coordination with other regional climate programs.
Evaluating progress

Evaluate MARISA’s progress and the combined impact of multiple, adjacent regional climate programs. Periodic program-based evaluation will improve planning and operations.