Digital Coast Fellowship

2016-2018 Fellowship Project Summaries

Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) and Coastal States Organization: Jake Thickman worked with the Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) and Coastal States Organization to develop a series of reports focused on coastal flood risk management policies, including a comprehensive summary of federal programs related to coastal flood risk; insight on existing policies shaping flood risk management at the state level; and policy strategies to make coastal communities more resilient to flood hazards. All materials are available to coastal practitioners on ASFPM’s Flood Science Center website.

National Estuarine Research Reserve Association: Jane Ballard worked with the National Estuarine Research Reserve Association to determine how to best communicate and use ecosystem service values, and related Digital Coast resources, in land use decisions that impact coastal habitats. Some of the final products she completed are a group of case studies and materials for the communities surrounding the Wells and Great Bay Research Reserves to help make decades of past research constructive for participatory and transparent coastal land use decisions. She also developed guidelines and a series of materials for communicating values of specific services, such as blue carbon, and of the ecosystem service work of the reserves, which is available in this ESRI Story Map.

The Nature Conservancy: Morgan Chow worked with Nature Conservancy’s Climate Risk and Resilience strategy on the Global Oceans Team, helping to promote a nature-based adaptation approach to coastal hazards. She developed products and materials for Coastal Resilience applications, coordinated outreach efforts, and worked to integrate the Climate Risk and Resilience program more strongly with disaster risk reduction and humanitarian programs. She developed an action guide that seeks to clarify integration of environmental and humanitarian work and recommend paths to overcome some of the barriers between sectors. She also completed a Coastal Resilience Measures Plan that details how the program will measure success in applying science, convening a network of practitioners, reaching business audiences, and advancing geospatial technology. Lastly, she advanced communications and training by creating a newsletter, developing a strategic communications plan and training module, publishing several success stories about the program, and managing the program website.