On May 21, Washington's Coastal Hazards Response Network (CHRN) held its annual in-person symposium at Dept. Ecology headquarters in Olympia. This annual meeting is a highlight of everyone's year. It's a great way to connect folks working all over the State and the Pacific Northwest region. We share notes, present research, and strategize ways that we can all work together. It's essential to take a collaborative approach to address things like sea level rise, ocean acidification, erosion, and the effects of climate change.
A packed house of scientists, researchers, planners, emergency management officials, and advocates gathered to eat granola bars, drink coffee, and talk about emerging trends and projects that are impacting our Washington coast.
We had a busy agenda for the day, where we heard from members of the Coastal Hazards and Resiliency Network (CHRN) on several topics and emerging trends.
1. Regional & community-based resilience initiatives - turning plans into action
Facilitated Panel and Q&A with folks in front-line communities facing sea level rise. We heard from several leading coastal scientists and community members about the work they are doing and areas in which they could use more collaboration.
2 Sea Level Rise (SLR) / CoSMoS / WA SLR Rulemaking
Guests enjoyed a round table of group updates and lightning talks with Q&A included. This was a great opportunity for informal conversations with everyone in the room. We saw presentations on tools for Sea Level Rise planning, and updates on Washington’s SLR rulemaking update. We also heard updates from Cascadia Coastlines and Peoples Hazards Research Hub.
The Coastal Hazard Organizational Resilience Team (COHORT) gave an update on Washington’s new interagency team-building process, which adds capacity for coastal communities that Surfrider helped to advocate for in the state budgeting process during 2023.
The 3rd part of the day was a group activity. We focused on addressing and overcoming barriers to advance coastal resilience through a series of roundtable discussions. Our objective: Explore efforts that address the problem of limited resources and capacity communities, and inspire resilience efforts moving forward.
Subjects included: Tsunami and emergency preparedness; sea level rise and compound flooding; coastal development, permitting, and implementation; sustainable economic development; community outreach/engagement, and environmental justice.
4. Protecting our shores - WA State Parks vulnerability assessment. We had a presentation from State Parks staff about a recent inventory of Parks properties that are at risk of coastal flooding, and plans for the creation and implementation of a SLR vulnerability assessment for WA State Parks. See more here.
5. Local Climate Risk Assessment Tool
We heard from Snohomish County about what they are doing about climate change vulnerability by developing a risk assessment tool and how to use it to inform comprehensive plan updates. This part was especially interesting because Surfrider was instramental in advocating for House Bill 1181. Read more here to learn more about our Sea Level Rise Planning Now Campaign.
Empowering resilience: WSU Initiatives update
Washington State University hosts an extension program in every county in the state. Presenters highlighted the services that they provide to empower their coastal communities with the resources they need to tackle everything from sea level rise to invasive species to gardening. WSU Extension’s unique approach to community resilience creates future opportunities for engagement and collaboration. Learn more about how a WSU Extension works in your area here.
One major takeaway was that other than myself and our Regional Manager, Liz Schotman, there were not many other members of the nonprofit world or the public that attended. These meetings are open to the public, and the agencies are eager for input, attention, and public engagement.
Surfrider Washington is here to help bring you into the room!
All in all, it was a fantastic day with folks from all levels of government, academics, and conservation all coming together for one important cause: COASTAL RESILIENCY!