A Focus on Our Most Vulnerable Places

Wasque, Martha's Vineyard

Crane Beach, Ipswich

Norton Point Beach, Martha's Vineyard

On September 4, 2019, The Baker-Polito Administration and the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM) announced more than $2.4 million in funding to support coastal resilience projects, to help prepare for, and adapt to, the effects of our changing climate, including storm surge, flooding, erosion and sea level rise. In addition to $163,732 in funding for the ongoing Argilla Road Adaptation Project in Ipswich, The Trustees was also awarded a grant for $82,000 to fund A Focus on Our Most Vulnerable Places, a first-of-its-kind coastal communications project to be awarded by CZM to a non-profit.

Using three of our properties as case studies to explore the opportunities and benefits of nature-based resilience interventions for barrier beaches (Norton Point Beach, Martha’s Vineyard), coastal banks (Wasque, Martha’s Vineyard), and publicly accessible shorelines (Crane Beach, Ipswich), the communications grant enabled The Trustees to create a whitepaper series and suite of multimedia content (podcasts, 360 panorama tours, and a video) incorporating perspectives from coastal landowners, stewards, visitors, and other stakeholders, as they considered coastal change, and resilience options.

CZM Products

Video: When you think of coast, what comes to mind?

In this video, join us on the coast, as we travel to three beachfront reservations, and learn not just about the challenges they face today and in the future—but also what makes them special places that people return to, year after year.

Whitepapers: Perspectives on coastal change and adaptation measures

In these whitepapers, The Trustees highlight stakeholder perspectives on the threats to Norton Point’s barrier beach, Wasque’s coastal banks, and Crane Beach’s access, as well as potential adaptation options available to adaptively manage these coastal landforms.

Podcast: Coastal banks, barrier beach & publicly accessible shorelines

In episode 117 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons talks coastal banks with The Trustees. This is the first episode of a 3 episode arc, focusing on coastal issues and climate adaptation.

360 Panorama Tours: Experience Crane, Wasque and Norton Point Beach

Experience three coastal reservations in a new way, with these 360 panorama tours of Crane Beach and Castle Hill, and Wasque and Norton Point Beach.

The Trustees hope the findings can serve as a model to help other communities and non-profits proactively confront and share their own coastal challenges and resilience projects.

Questions? Comments? Email coast@thetrustees.org

2019-533 Coastal Vision map.jpg — Click to explore our coastal RESERVATIONS