A beach day at Old Silver Beach. Fresh scallops right off a New Bedford fishing boat. A kayak trip around Woods Hole. A sunset stroll next to Buzzards Bay. These are the things that make the South Coast so beloved — and so worth protecting.

But the region faces multiple threats due to sea level rise and climate change. Low-lying areas like Wareham, Bourne, Marion, and Mattapoisett are extremely vulnerable to storm surge. Area marshlands are disappearing much faster than other areas of the state. Water quality issues have decimated the scallop industry and are also impacting eelgrass, shellfish, and fish. And all the while, both flooding and erosion threaten native animal species as well as the health and livelihoods of local communities.

The accelerating effects of climate change are undeniable — and so too is our responsibility and ability to act.

As the oldest and largest conservation and preservation group in the state, protecting the coast isn’t just a priority; it’s part of our DNA. We strive to be a champion for these irreplaceable landscapes so that future generations can continue to enjoy our coastal communities. We’ve spent years developing innovative solutions to build resilience on a changing coast, from rebuilding dunes on barrier beaches to developing innovative ditch remediation methods to naturally restore our salt marshes. And we’re constantly working to expand these solutions to communities across the state and to work together with fellow advocates.

Our latest report features 14 South Shore communities, including New Bedford and Fall River, two of the largest coastal cities in the state. We highlight potential climate change impacts on the region’s places and communities, talk about current actions undertaken by area organizations and municipalities, and propose future strategies and enhanced or new collaborations.

We know that climate change is having a profound impact on our vulnerable coastal areas. We also know that we cannot wait to act to slow the effects. Now is the time to work together to save our local habitats, nature, infrastructure, and economy while modeling more sustainable practices in our own work. Together we can engage in effective solutions and partner to preserve these places of work, community, and beauty for generations to come.