While the physical complexity of Michigan’s coastal dynamics has increased due to climate change and other factors, most notably because of more rapid variability in Great Lakes water levels as well as increased precipitation and storm intensity, the ability of local resource managers to respond efficiently and effectively has not kept pace. Therefore, decisions that have long-term impacts on shoreline are often made under duress without the ability and capacity to critically assess impacts and sustainability. During the most recent high water period (e.g., 2019/2020), many local decision makers began approving or directly implementing measures relating to stormwater management and shoreline armoring. However, these decisions were often made without complete or accurate information since many communities face barriers in assessing risk and costs, choosing appropriate projects, obtaining funding, implementing plans, and collaborating with other coastal communities as well as state and federal agencies. Currently, the unprecedented level of federal investment is combining with water levels hovering near historic averages to create a critical window for action to build capacity and knowledge while undertaking innovative projects.
Under these conditions, we assessed the opportunities, barriers and needs for Michigan’s coastal managers to adopt collaborative and effective resilience practices. Specifically, Michigan Sea Grant (MISG) sought to better understand how to engage with communities and to identify and support specific needs. First, we interviewed individuals from the Great Lakes Sea Grant Network (GLSGN) to learn how their programs conducted outreach and worked in communities as well as what were best practices or barriers. We then organized a workshop for over 50 coastal resilience managers and experts to identify significant barriers to coastal resilience planning and to outline potential solutions, emphasizing nature-based approaches. The proposed presentation would relay the results in terms of barriers and needs as well as the strategy and tactics to meet these needs, including the launch of a new online resource hub and several communities of practice.
