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December 2014

High water

The land also rises (and falls)

Vertical land movement, caused by sediment settling, groundwater extraction, and tectonic forces, can boost or reduce the local effects of global sea level rise.  Conventional wisdom says that the offshore collision of two continental plates is pushing up Washington’s and Oregon’s coastlines. This assumption may make coastal communities complacent about climate change and sea level rise. Using tidal-gauge and GPS readings, Washington Sea Grant’s Ian Miller and colleagues have found that vertical land movement actually varies dramatically along Washington’s shores. While the Olympic Coast’s northwest corner is rising, the land is actually subsiding as little as 30 miles down the coast – and along densely populated Puget Sound. Communities need local data to prepare for rising seas.

The land also rises (and falls) Read More>

Homeowners Handbooks

In 2007 Dennis Hwang and Darren K. Okimoto of the University of Hawai'i Sea Grant co-authored a community specific Homeowner's Handbook to Prepare for Natural Hazards. The handbook targets the average homeowner and essentially does as much homework for the homeowner as possible in order for a homeowner to prepare for natural disasters. Since 2007, the Hawai'i Homeowners Handbook to Prepare for Natural Hazards has gone through 8 print runs with over 65,000 copies. The handbook has been adapted by 7 other Sea Grant programs.

Homeowners Handbooks Read More>

Landslide Response Support

Landslide Response Support

After the March 2014 Oso landslide, Washington Sea Grant communications staff volunteered at the site to provide communications support during disaster response. After the 2013 Whidbey Island landslide, a Washington Sea Grant-installed camera monitored continuing land movement.

Landslide Response Support Read More>

Assessment of Sociocultural Dimensions of Coastal Change

Assessment of Sociocultural Dimensions of Coastal Change

Washington Sea Grant is synthesizing information on the resilience and vulnerability of communities to coastal hazards such as ocean acidification and leading the design of a participatory, community-based rapid appraisal in several Washington and Oregon communities facing such hazards. This appraisal will assess culturally significant ecosystem variables, such as important food species and communities’ sense of place, and identify anticipated and cumulative threats posed to them.

Assessment of Sociocultural Dimensions of Coastal Change Read More>

Port Asset Matrix

Port Asset Matrix

The Port Asset Matrix helps communities appraise the current value of their navigational and port infrastructure, allowing them to project the potential costs of maintaining or replacing these resources in the face of changing water levels and storm conditions caused by climate variation.

Port Asset Matrix Read More>

Visualizing Bluff Erosion

Visualizing Bluff Erosion

This project integrates animation, aerial photography, pictures, charts, and text to help the public better understand: (1) the natural process of coastal erosion; (2) how local land development decisions impact coastal erosion; and (3) the case for scientifically-based coastal development setbacks

Visualizing Bluff Erosion Read More>

Green Shores for Homes

With funding from the EPA, Sea Grant partners with the City of Seattle among others to offer an incentive and certification credit system developed for single family homes. The goal of this voluntary program is to develop shoreline sustainably, using green vs. grey infrastructure whenever possible

Green Shores for Homes Read More>

Sea Level Rise Outreach – DRAFT ARTICLE FOR A COUPLE MONTHS

Washington Sea Grant, in partnership with the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe and the University of Washington Program on the Environment, is developing an outreach plan for a group of homes on the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Washington State, that have been identified as highly vulnerable to sea level rise and coastal flooding. The outreach plan will try to identify ways to work with homeowners to identify options that will both protect their infrastructure and investment, while avoiding hard armoring and shoreline engineering.

Sea Level Rise Outreach – DRAFT ARTICLE FOR A COUPLE MONTHS Read More>

Community-based Sea Level-Rise Projections

Community-based Sea Level-Rise Projections

Washington Sea Grant partnered with the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe and Adaptation International to develop a set of local sea level rise projections, and sea level scenario maps for the Jamestown S'Klallam community. The assessments are being used to identify priority adaptation actions, tribal areas or resources that are particularly vulnerable to sea level rise, and have also been integrated into community long-term planning. Additionally, Washington Sea Grant is partnering with North Olympic Peninsula Resource Conservation District and Adaptation International on a multi-sector climate change vulnerability assessment and adaptation plan, including sea level rise and coastal flooding projections for coastal communities in Clallam and Jefferson Counties.

Community-based Sea Level-Rise Projections Read More>

Shoreline Monitoring Toolbox

Puget Sound Shoreline Monitoring Toolbox

Washington Sea Grant, working with the Puget Sound Partnership and Puget Sound Ecosystem Monitoring Program Nearshore Work Group, has standardized approaches for monitoring and a “toolbox” of protocols and information. The toolbox emphasizes methods that are simple and affordable, and that can be used for monitoring restoration sites and evaluating status and trends. 

Puget Sound Shoreline Monitoring Toolbox Read More>

Olympic National Marine Sanctuary Climate Change Assessment

Olympic National Marine Sanctuary Climate Change Assessment

Washington Sea Grant led the development of the Olympic National Marine Sanctuary (OCNMS) Climate Change Assessment, which examined the vulnerability of sanctuary resources to climate change. The report, intended for OCNMS staff, the OCNMS advisory committee, and the Intergovernmental Policy Council, is being used as a springboard for climate change adaptation activities in the sanctuary, and adjacent (mostly tribal) communities.

Olympic National Marine Sanctuary Climate Change Assessment Read More>

Monitoring Sediment Supply

Monitoring Sediment Supply

Dam removal on the Elwha delta has led to a massive flux of sediment to the coastal zone, leading to what is in effect the largest beach nourishment experiment ever in Washington State. Washington Sea Grant, in collaboration with the US Geological Survey, the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe and others, is investigating the fate of that sediment and particularly how it acts to re-nourish eroding beaches. The results can be applied to problems associated with beach erosion due to climate change and sea level rise.

Monitoring Sediment Supply Read More>

King Tides

King Tides

King Tides, or extreme high tides, offer the chance to view what the future might look like with higher sea levels. The King Tides Project directs citizens to capture images of King Tide events and upload them onto the website. The Washington King Tides project is part of an international collaboration.

King Tides Read More>

Coastal Training Program

Sea Level Rise Adaptation Course

Washington Sea Grant, in collaboration with the Climate Impacts Group and the Department of Ecology offered a course through the Padilla Bay NERR’s Coastal Training Program on sea level rise adaptation. Building on the 2008 basic climate change course, this sea level rise course offered up to date scientific projections on sea level rise rates in the Padilla Bay NERR, in addition to methods to effectively communicate climate change, various planning opportunities in Washington, and examples of what others around the US have done. This course is the second in a series of climate adaptation courses.

Sea Level Rise Adaptation Course Read More>

Coastal Hazards Resilience Network

Coastal Hazards Resilience Network

Washington Sea Grant, in collaboration with the Department of Ecology and with funding from NOAA, has developed a Coastal Hazards Resilience Network. The primary function of the network is to increase coordination and collaboration among state, federal and academic experts responsible for managing coastal hazards along the Washington Coast. The network is then applied at the local level to increase the resilience and capacity of local communities to plan for a respond to natural hazard events.

Coastal Hazards Resilience Network Read More>

Washington Coast Marine Spatial Planning

Washington Coast Marine Spatial Planning

As a member of the State Ocean Caucus, Washington Sea Grant is a member of the State planning team charged by the State legislature to develop a marine spatial plan off Washington’s outer coast. The plan will provide better baseline information, ecosystem indicators, analyses to support coastal management decision-making, recommendations for siting new uses, implementation framework across agencies and sectors, integration of other existing policies and management and an adaptive management strategy. Washington Sea Grant plays a central role in this process by leading outreach, coordinating scientific review of data and projects, developing indicators of human well-being and economic health of the coast.

Washington Coast Marine Spatial Planning Read More>

Model of Human Wellbeing for use in California Current Integrated Ecosystem Assessment and Ecosystem-Based Management

Model of Human Wellbeing for use in California Current Integrated Ecosystem Assessment and Ecosystem-Based Management

The emerging human wellbeing model is a comprehensive look at the material, relational, and subjective ways that the socioeconomic wellbeing of individuals and communities is tied to marine and coastal resources. The model provides a process for selecting indicators to measure human wellbeing.

Model of Human Wellbeing for use in California Current Integrated Ecosystem Assessment and Ecosystem-Based Management Read More>

Guidelines and Best Practices for Addressing Cultural Aspects of Coastal Ecosystem-Based Management

Guidelines and Best Practices for Addressing Cultural Aspects of Coastal Ecosystem-Based Management

The cultural dimensions of coastal ecosystems framework and guidelines for best practices is a conceptual tool to guide scientists, managers and community practitioners in their efforts to: (1) identify potential cultural impacts in impacted areas; (2) select and develop methods for working with communities to characterize their cultural impacts. Cultural aspects are often ambiguous and moreover absent from vulnerability and resilience assessments and this guidelines offers clear and specific identification of cultural aspects that have been or could be impacted in events.

Guidelines and Best Practices for Addressing Cultural Aspects of Coastal Ecosystem-Based Management Read More>

Tools for Effective Communication of Ocean Acidification Science and Policy

Tools for Effective Communication of Ocean Acidification Science and Policy

Washington Sea Grant, in partnership with state, federal (NOAA) and international scientists and communication experts have released two ocean acidification fact sheets as aids for scientists, science communicators and science policy advisors asked to comment on acidification: “20 Facts About Ocean Acidification” (Nov 2013. revised Feb 2014) and “Ocean Acidification in the Pacific Northwest” (May 2014). They have also been instrumental in the development of NOAA's Sharing Ocean Acidification Resources for Communicators and Educators (SOARCE) webinar series (8 presentations in 2014).

Tools for Effective Communication of Ocean Acidification Science and Policy Read More>

Ocean Acidification Education Tools for K-12 Classrooms

Ocean Acidification Education Tools for K-12 Classrooms

Washington Sea Grant, in partnership with the Suquamish Tribe, and with assistance from teachers, and state and academic education specialists, is developing a curated online collection of Ocean Acidification curricula, teaching tools, and informational resources for high school, middle school and elementary classrooms. The online collection, which will launched in Oct 2014, can be searched using a variety of filters, such as grade band, subject, type of material (i.e. lab activity, presentation, reading and analysis, etc.), and length of activity. This effort supports coastal resilience by building ocean acidification literacy.

Ocean Acidification Education Tools for K-12 Classrooms Read More>

Volunteer Monitoring of Shoreline Restoration

Volunteer Monitoring of Shoreline Restoration

In Puget Sound, shoreline armoring is being removed or is being replaced with what are thought to be less disruptive alternatives. Restoring physical and biological connections in the nearshore where structures are not at risk is expected to improve habitat conditions and reduce long-term costs for homeowners. By establishing volunteer monitoring of these sites, Washington Sea Grant has helped create a baseline for erosion and vegetation that can be used to inform other projects and shoreline management decisions in the near-term and provide a long-term reference as climate change and sea level rise influence conditions in the nearshore.

Volunteer Monitoring of Shoreline Restoration Read More>

Water Stewardship Program

Water Stewardship Program

In collaboration with Washington Land Grant partners, Washington Sea Grant provides training, resources and opportunities to volunteers interested in learning about freshwater environments and the watershed and marine systems to which they are tied. The volunteers then contribute to improving their communities through monitoring, enhancement, restoration and outreach.

Water Stewardship Program Read More>

Aquatic Invasive Species Monitoring and Outreach

Aquatic Invasive Species Monitoring and Outreach

Preventing the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species is the only way to eliminate associated ecological and economic damages. Where prevention measures fail, early detection of a newly established population offers the best hope of effectively reducing impacts. By working formal and informal education settings to encourage prevention measures and by establishing a network to monitor marine waters for key species of concern, Washington Sea Grant aims to prevent and reduce economic and ecological harm for coastal communities.

Aquatic Invasive Species Monitoring and Outreach Read More>

Virginia Coastal Policy Clinic

Virginia Coastal Policy Clinic, William & Mary Law School

Virginia Sea Grant has a legal program now and they have been focusing on resiliency issues—conducting legal and policy research for local community clients on issues such as flood insurance, community rating systems, potential disclosure issues, potential local community liability risk associated with not taking adaptation steps. They have also provided analysis to the Governor’s Climate Commission that is currently underway and the General Assembly’s Secure Commonwealth Panel that finished up work last month.

Virginia Coastal Policy Clinic, William & Mary Law School Read More>

FutureCoast Sea Level Rise Web-Based Tool

FutureCoast Sea Level Rise Web-Based Tool

This was developed through a mid-Atlantic Sea Level Rise project we secured from Coastal Services Center (CSC). It was applied in Annapolis, and they explored its application in Hampton Roads, but it was too early in the evolution of the issues in Hampton Roads to use here. That is, this tool shows climate impacts at the individual lot level and the Hampton Roads citizenry and local elected officials were not ready to see, hear, realize that then (~2011). We are ready now and because we took an incremental approach with our community, we have been able to leap frog some of the challenges that other states faced and Fall 2014 we held a workshop with the real estate community.

FutureCoast Sea Level Rise Web-Based Tool Read More>

Maine Climate News Website

Maine Climate News Website

Recognizing the need for a centralized, neutral source of climate information specific to Maine, University of Maine Cooperative Extension and Maine Sea Grant created Maine Climate News in partnership with George Jacobson, Maine State Climatologist, in 2009. The site is intended to be a portal to climate change science and research at the University of Maine and beyond, as well as a resource for news and climate-related activities throughout the state. The site is updated quarterly.

Maine Climate News Website Read More>

Northeast Coastal Acidification Network

Northeast Coastal Acidification Network

Maine Sea Grant is a member of the steering committee for the Northeast Coastal Acidification Network planning a series of 10 Ocean Acidification Webinars, a synthesis of the State of the Science, culminating in a State of the Science workshop followed by Stakeholders workshops to develop an Ocean Acidification plan for the region (Long Island Sound to Nova Scotia).

Northeast Coastal Acidification Network Read More>

Assessing Vulnerability and Resilience in Maine Fishing Communities

Assessing Vulnerability and Resilience in Maine Fishing Communities

This project developed a participatory, place-based approach for assessing the vulnerability and resilience of Maine fishing communities, documenting threats and resources available to respond to those threats. To understand the forces driving vulnerability, Johnson and graduate students Cameron Thompson and Anna Henry worked with community stakeholders to identify opportunities and strategies for improving resilience of fishing communities. They produced a summary report, entitled, “In Their Own Words: Fishermen’s Perspectives of Community Resilience.” 

Assessing Vulnerability and Resilience in Maine Fishing Communities Read More>

New Jersey Coastal Community Resilience Demonstration Project: Pilot Communities: Cape May Point

New Jersey Coastal Community Resilience Demonstration Project: Pilot Communities: Cape May Point, Little Silver, Oceanport

 

Coastal communities across the nation are faced with the challenge of how to adapt to coastal inundation associated with climate change and sea level rise. As part of the National Sea Grant Coastal Communities Climate Adaptation Initiative (CCCAI), the New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium (NJSGC) and its partners, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Office of Coastal Management (NJOCM), Monmouth University Urban Coast Institute (UCI) and Stevens Institute of Technology, conducted community-based, climate adaptation demonstration projects in Cape May Point, Little Silver and Oceanport, New Jersey. 

New Jersey Coastal Community Resilience Demonstration Project: Pilot Communities: Cape May Point, Little Silver, Oceanport Read More>

Cost-Efficient Climate Change Adaptation in the North Atlantic Report

This report from a year-long study from Sea Grant and the NOAA North Atlantic Regional Team (NART) identifies some best practices that communities can use locally for adapting to climate change. “Cost-Efficient Climate Change Adaptation in the North Atlantic” is a compilation of best practices shared by 34 towns and cities (ME to VA) willing to share the steps that they have taken towards successful adaptation. The report also contains an interactive map.

Cost-Efficient Climate Change Adaptation in the North Atlantic Report Read More>

Maine Beaches Conference

Maine Beaches Conference

The Maine Beaches Conference provides continuing opportunities for communication and exchange of the most current information among beach stakeholders with diverse interests, and presents the findings from the state’s beach monitoring programs.

Maine Beaches Conference Read More>

Coastal Property Guide

Coastal Property Guide

The coastal property guide is a publication and web-based tool for property owners, navigating them through 10 key questions related to issues from coastal erosion and sea level rise, to buffers and septic systems.

Coastal Property Guide Read More>

Biophysical research

Biophysical Research

We support an array of interdisciplinary research in the biological sciences, including topics such as coastal geomorphology mapping and assessments on the cumulative effects of sea level rise and increased wave heights.

Biophysical Research Read More>

Maine's Climate Future Report

Maine’s Climate Future Report

This report considers past change over geologic time, recent evidence of accelerated rates of change, and the implications of continued climate change in Maine during the 21st century as a result of greenhouse gas emissions and their associated pollutants. Maine Sea Grant’s Communication Coordinator, Catherine Schmitt worked with a multidisciplinary team to compile and edit the 2009 Report and several follow-up features on specific topics, and she is currently working on an update to the original report.

Maine’s Climate Future Report Read More>

Southern Maine Beach Profile Monitoring Program

Southern Maine Beach Profile Monitoring Program

Beach profiling is a simple surveying technique used to measure changes in the contour of the monitored beach. The Southern Maine Volunteer Beach Profile Monitoring Program is a unique collaboration among local volunteers, participating municipalities, and scientists, resulting in 15 years of critical data on the status of one of Maine's most vital and valuable natural resources.

Southern Maine Beach Profile Monitoring Program Read More>

The Sandy Dialogues workshop series

The Sandy Dialogues workshop Series

This workshop series featured municipal officials who survived Superstorm Sandy and Maine municipal officials and residents from Wells, Saco and Old Orchard Beach who traveled to New Jersey to see the aftermath of the storm first hand. During “The Sandy Dialogues” workshops in Wells and Saco presenters shared personal experiences about the storm, its aftermath and recovery.

The Sandy Dialogues workshop Series Read More>

Coastal Property Owner Tours

Coastal Property Owner Tours

Maine Sea Grant has organized a number of tours, during which Southern Maine coastal property owners, local officials, and community members visit coastal properties in Saco, Wells, and Ogunquit where action has been or could be taken to make them more resilient to flooding, erosion, and extreme storm events.

Coastal Property Owner Tours Read More>

Coastal Hazards Guide

Coastal Hazards Guide

This online Guide was created by Maine Sea Grant to help coastal property owners and municipal officials identify features and different types of hazards on the Maine coast, and evaluate potential responses and actions. This guide is an outcome of the project, Coastal Community Resilience: Developing and Testing a Model of State-based Outreach. 

Coastal Hazards Guide Read More>

Building a Resilient Coast video

Building a Resilient Coast video

This video was created for Maine citizens to hear and see what their neighbors, town officials, and local scientists have to say about sea-level rise, coastal flooding, and erosion; what it means to them; and what individuals can do about it in the five-part documentary, Building a Resilient Coast: Maine Confronts Climate Change, produced in partnership with Oregon Sea Grant.

Building a Resilient Coast video Read More>

Climate Change Planning

Climate Change Planning

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant has a climatologist on staff who conducts workshops and interacts with local resource managers along southern Lake Michigan to help the region become more resilient. We have produced or participated in the creation of number tools to help communities.

Climate Change Planning Read More>

Water Supply Planning Tools

Water Supply Planning Tools

Lake Michigan provides a reliable supply of drinking water for a large population in the greater Chicago area of northeastern Illinois and northwestern Indiana, but is being tapped to its legal limit. Water supply planning can increase preparedness for droughts and climate change, reduce regional conflicts, and promote conservation. Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant has tools to help communities with sustainable water pricing, outdoor conservation, sample ordinances, etc.

Water Supply Planning Tools Read More>

Real Time Lake Monitoring

Real Time Lake Monitoring

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant maintains a buoy off the coast of Lake Michigan in Indiana and will soon be installing a second buoy in waters on the Illinois side. The buoys are equipped with sensitive scientific instruments that help scientists, managers, and local community members understand how the lake works, how things look today, and how things will look in the future.

Real Time Lake Monitoring Read More>

The Great Lakes Legacy Act

The Great Lakes Legacy Act

This congressional act provides matching funds to communities to speed up the pace of cleanup of contaminated sediments within Great Lakes Areas of Concern. Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant conducts workshops, provides local community support, and has developed numerous products including curricula, economic development strategies, and fact sheets.

The Great Lakes Legacy Act Read More>

Education Coordinator

Beware the Rising Tide

During extreme high tide events, known as king tides, Californians get an idea of what future sea level may look like in their coastal communities. USC Sea Grant has had the privilege to be part of several collaborative projects that are tracking, recording and analyzing these high tides events in order to predict future sea level rise.

Beware the Rising Tide Read More>

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