Wetlands and infrastructure along the Atlantic, Gulf and Pacific coasts are vulnerable to the predicted impacts of a changing climate — including intense storms, rising seas and increased precipitation. This session will examine restoration projects that have been undertaken to strengthen the resilience of wetlands so that people, habitats, and wildlife can better withstand and recover from the impacts associated with a changing climate. Projects that focus on restoring coastal marshes and shoreline, creating habitat connectivity, restoring aquatic connectivity via dam and culvert removals/replacements, establishment of living shorelines to control erosion and protect habitat and infrastructure, improve flood resilience, and protect areas from potential impacts of future storms will be the focus of this session. The intent is to provide practitioners with the lessons learned, best management approaches and other insights for development and implementation of resilience projects that benefit both fish and wildlife resources and communities.
| 8:00 am |
Welcome, Introductions and Overview Rick Bennett, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| 8:10 am |
A Journey Through Vermont's Flood Resiliency Efforts Staci Pomeroy, Vermont Department of Conservation, Watershed Management, Rivers Program |
| 8:28 am |
Living Shorelines Douglas Janiec, Sovereign Consulting Inc. |
| 8:46 am |
Large Scale Coastal Ecosystem Restoration at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge - Implementation and Lessons Learned Bartholomew Wilson, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Coastal Delaware National Wildlife Refuge Complex |
| 9:04 am |
Alabama Barrier Island Restoration Assessment Nicholas Enwright, U.S. Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center |
| 9:22 am |
South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project - Balancing Multiple Habitat, Public Access, and Infrastructure Goals Dave Halsing, CA Coastal Conservancy |
| 9:40 am | Group Panel and Audience Engagement |
| 10:00 am | Adjourn |