"Finding Solutions to Our Coastal Challenges" Salem Sound Coastwatch's 25th Anniversary Symposium

The public is invited to Salem Sound Coastwatch’s 25th anniversary symposium on “Finding Solutions to Our Coastal Challenges.” Participants can attend one or both days: Friday, March 18 and Saturday, March 19, 8:30-12:30 each day. For a complete agenda and registration information, visit salemsound.org, email info@salemsound.org or call 978-741-7900.

Friday’s session will focus on how our local coastal communities are adapting to climate change. The keynote speaker is Dr. Ellen Douglas, UMass Boston professor, engineer, geologist and hydrologist. She is researching the influence of climate on the waters of the Northeast and evaluating feasible climate change adaptation strategies for New England communities.

Other Friday presentations focus on case studies of exciting steps local communities are taking to address climate change and sea level rise issues. These include a plan for coastal resilience undertaken by Manchester-by-the-Sea and plans to use “living shoreline” methods to bolster Salem’s coastline.

The Saturday session looks at how we are improving water quality and protecting habitats. Keynote speaker, Mayor Kimberly Driscoll of Salem, will talk about the challenges municipalities face in trying to develop solutions to coastal problems.

Rebecca Dupont-Coutu from New England Civil Engineering will talk about efforts to remove illicit connections, i.e. toilets that are flush directly into the coastal waters; Bion Pike, Manchester-by-the-Sea Harbormaster, will share their experiences with boat moorings that protect eelgrass and boats; and Dr. Gregg Moore from University of New Hampshire will speak about how rising sea levels will affect salt marshes. And there’s more!

For a complete agenda and registration information, click here, email info@salemsound.org or call 978-741-7900.