Originally published by University of North Carolina Wilmington

At UNC Wilmington, a team of experts from across UNCW: Troy Frensley, Joanne Halls, Lynn Leonard, Erin Moran, Chris O’Connor, and Dave Wells; community partners, Kimberly Lebby formerly with DREAMS Center for Arts Education, Craig Harris with the City of Wilmington, Mariko Polk with NC Sea Grant, Jennifer Dorton and Cotie Alsbrooks with Southeast Coastal Ocean Observing Regional Association; along with UNCW graduate students Steven Anderson, Jordan Davidson, Chelsea Kasney, and Bentley Settin are advancing an interdisciplinary framework for coastal resilience.

Together, the multi-institutional team merges physical and social sciences, community workshops, and K-5 education to create informed awareness for residents. “Wilmington is uniquely vulnerable to coastal storms, heavy rainfall, rising sea levels, and compound flooding events,” said Harris. “By working together, the City brings practical, policy-driven leadership and an emergency management perspective, while UNCW contributes invaluable research, data analysis, and technical knowledge.”Their work offers a blueprint for managing complex coastal systems through partnerships with science, the government, education, and community members. Read more here.