Featured Session: Climate Adaptation Exploration

Did you know…

A King Tide, or seasonal highest tide, is predicted to occur from April 26-29. Learn more about tidal flooding impacts. If you’re sticking around the Charleston area after the meeting, consider documenting any flooding you see for the SC King Tides Initiative!

Each week until the 2017 in-person meeting, we are featuring a session to share a few more details about the agenda. This week, we are featuring the conference field trips, “Climate Adaptation Exploration.” We will be going on guided walking tours exploring the Charleston Peninsula.

Join us for:

Brittlebank Park

Travel to 10-acre Brittlebank Park on the west side of the Charleston peninsula, offering beautiful views of the Ashley River and an ideal location to discuss “natural solutions” for managing water. Brittlebank was once a garbage dump, but now is a public space that provides access to the water. We will learn about living shorelines, such as oyster reefs and restored marshes, as a means to managing erosion and acting as a natural storm buffer. On the way to Brittlebank, attendees will also pass under the Legare Bridge, where an impressive stormwater infrastructure improvement project is underway to mitigate current and future flooding. Speakers include:

• Michael Hodges, Shellfish Management Section, SCORE Program, SC Department of Natural Resources
• EV Bell, Marine Education Specialist, SC Sea Grant Consortium
• Carolee Williams, Project Manager, Department of Planning, Preservation & Sustainability, City of Charleston
• Laura Cabiness, Director, Department of Public Service, City of Charleston

Charleston Battery- Limited to 30 Attendees

Journey to the Charleston Battery, which offers beautiful views of the harbor and is an ideal location to discuss “built solutions” for managing water. In the 18th century, rocks and heavy materials were used to fortify the shore of the Cooper River on the eastern side of the peninsula. In 1838, this area along the seawall became a promenade, and the City has continued to fortify and expand the seawall over the years. We will learn about the construction of the High Battery, “the Turn,” and the plans for rebuild of the Low Battery which include sea level rise considerations. In addition, attendees will hear about Charleston’s past/present/future as they gaze upon Fort Sumter. Speakers include:

• Frank Newham, Senior Engineering Project Manager, Department of Public Service, City of Charleston
• Dawn Davis, Public Affairs Specialist, Fort Sumter NM & Charles Pinckney NHS, National Park Service
• Jared Bramblett, Civil Engineer, Davis & Floyd