2026 CDS Annual Conference

This case study examines how community leaders in a rural, climate-vulnerable community in North-eastern Nebraska mobilize local resources, social networks, and community involvement to prepare for, respond to, and recover from climate-related disasters. Through in-depth one-on-one interviews with community leaders and members, along with document analysis, the study explores how community leaders identify and leverage local assets and social networks in building resilience, the strategies they use to promote collaboration and shared decision-making during crises, and the challenges they face at each stage of building resilience against climate disasters.
The study aligns with the conference theme, “Community Currents: Navigating Changes Together,” as it demonstrates how a rural community collectively overcomes climate-related disruptions through shared participation and local problem-solving. It highlights how community leaders involve residents, groups, and existing social networks to prepare for, respond to, and recover from climate-related disasters, instead of relying on external experts to handle the situation. The study also fits with the track “Chart Cross-Sector Pathways” by examining how leaders utilize existing relationships to foster collaboration between formal institutions, both locally and externally, as well as with informal networks to coordinate disaster planning and response. The study’s findings offer practical insights into how leaders handle complex challenges to strengthen their communities’ resilience and could benefit other communities facing similar climate-related issues. It could also produce evidence to inform policies to improve the effectiveness and fairness of disaster resilience efforts in rural communities.