As the country’s third most vulnerable region to flooding, erosion, and sea level rise, the Eastern Shore can become a national model for coastal resilience in rural communities. A resilient Eastern Shore will be prepared for immediate and long-term coastal hazards and will be able to survive, adapt, and prosper in the face of uncertainty and vulnerability.
Photo courtesy of Will Parson / Chesapeake Bay Program
In spite of the stresses of climate change, Maryland’s Eastern Shore has an exciting opportunity to capitalize on its rural nature, agricultural roots, and unique sense of place to become America’s most resilient rural region. ESLC supports communities on the Eastern Shore in planning for the impacts of climate change – including rising sea levels, warming temperatures, and intensifying rainfall patterns – in a variety of ways.
ESLC facilitates the Eastern Shore Climate Adaptation Partnership (ESCAP), a multi-jurisdictional network of staff from local government, state agencies, academic institutions, and nonprofit organizations. The ESCAP promotes learning and collaboration among Eastern Shore communities to prepare for the impacts of climate change. It is a venue for partners to provide support, education, technical assistance, and resources to help communities build resilience. Our coastal resilience staff have worked through ESCAP to provide resources addressing sea level rise and extreme precipitation events. We also regularly partner with ESCAP communities in incorporating climate vulnerability information and adaptation strategies into local planning initiatives such as hazard mitigation plans, comprehensive plans, and flood-related local ordinances.
ESLC also partners with the State of Maryland to address the climate-related needs of rural communities across the state. Our coastal resilience staff serve on the Maryland Commission on Climate Change and the Adaptation & Resiliency Work Group in order to advocate for regional concerns, and we have informed State initiatives such as the provision of guidance for nuisance flood planning.
ESLC’s vision for a resilient Eastern Shore is one in which:
Eastern Shore Land Conservancy provides education and outreach—including lectures about coastal resilience topics—to Eastern Shore communities. Our deep roots in the Eastern Shore allow us to use a nuanced understanding of the region to make presentations that are personalized and relevant to specific industries, economic sectors, and interests. Attendees of past lectures have expressed appreciation for gaining an understanding of a global issue in a detailed local context.
Here are some of the groups that our coastal resilience program staff have provided presentations to, in an effort to educate and better prepare our coastal communities:
Want ESLC’s coastal resilience program staff to speak to your group or organization? Contact info@eslc.org.
The following coastal resilience resources are available as PDF files. All links will open in a new browser tab and can be saved to your computer through your browser’s controls.
You can make a financial contribution large or small through our website. The process is easy, straightforward, and secure. Your donation supports the mission of the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy and makes a difference by improving the long-term quality of life in the Eastern Shore community.
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