Resilient Boston Harbor: Research for a Sustainable Future

Stone Living Lab, in partnership with the Boston Harbor Ecosystem Network, held their first research conference virtually on Tuesday October 26, 2021. Resilient Boston Harbor: Research for a Sustainable Future brought together more than 125 participants to discuss ongoing research as well as research needs and opportunities. The conference was designed to advance projects that will inform coastal resilience decisions. Participants also had the option of joining a field trip to get a first-hand look at research in progress.

Explore conference proceedings Conference Recap

Resilient Boston Harbor: Research for a Sustainable Future featured a Land Acknowledgement from Elizabeth Solomon, SLL Executive Committee member and enrolled member of the Massachusett Tribe at Ponkapoag; Welcome Remarks by University of Massachusetts Boston Chancellor Marcelo Suárez-Orozco, Cathy Stone of the Stone Foundation, and Lab Director Paul Kirshen. Secretary Kathleen Theoharides of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs delivered the Opening Plenary.

Dive deeper into conference proceedings Talks & Breakout Sessions

Conference attendees were able to catch Lightning Talks, an Ask a Researcher session, and three breakout sessions facilitated by Lab partners:

● Conducting Experiments in Boston Harbor | Marc Albert, National Park Service

● Resiliency of Natural & Developed Coastal Systems | Mark Borelli, UMass Boston

Co-Benefits of Resiliency Measures | Kathy Abbott, Boston Harbor Now

Peruse posters Select Conference Posters

Community Science in Boston: Beach Profiling – Annie O’Connell, UMB & Stone Living Lab

Developing Robust Policies for Nature-Based Solutions for Coastal Flood Protection in Boston – Jessica Lilquist, PhD Candidate, School for the Environment, UMB

Education and Community Engagement – Rebecca Shoer, Stone Living Lab

Just Adaptation Planning Under Uncertainty: A Preliminary Case Study of East Boston, Massachusetts – Shailee Desai, PhD Candidate, School for the Environment, UMB

Lidar Characterization of Rainsford Island Bluff, pre- and post-Hurricanes Henri and Ida – Francesco Peri et. al., UMB

Nearshore Soft Infrastructure for Coastal Storm Protection and Inhabitable Floating Landscape – The Emerald Tutu

Let's Get Visual Facilitator Drawing

Graphic facilitator Sheri Kennedy of Fusionary Thinking captured the virtual meeting and translated concepts into an engaging work of art.