Coastal Resilience

Providing tools and knowledge to communities and their environmental, resource and public health managers that will inform their decisions on how best to restore and maintain the health of our coastal ecosystems, and to anticipate adaptation and mitigation strategies needed to address new challenges as they emerge.

NH’s coastal watershed is home to over 25% of the state’s population, and building resilience requires recognizing the interrelationships among social, environmental, and economic dimensions in coastal communities. While community leaders know their small communities well, they often have limited access to technical, financial, and human resources to deal with complex challenges. Building resilience crosses economic, social, and environmental boundaries. Preserving ecosystems services, safe-guarding and adapting economic and social systems, and recognizing cultural values are key steps for building community resilience.