Stone Living Lab at the MBTA: Highlights from our Lunch and Learn

By: Alexis McLean, Communications & Operations Coordinator

Stone Living Lab staff recently visited the MBTA to present on the Lab’s work at a Lunch and Learn event organized by the MBTA’s Employee Sustainability Group. The session offered an opportunity to connect with MBTA staff and highlight how the Lab’s research, education, and policy work supports climate resilience across Boston.

The Lunch and Learn began with an introduction to the Stone Living Lab team and partnership, followed by an overview of the Lab’s core research and monitoring projects. Chief Resilience Officer Joe Christo and Community Engagement Manager Elisa Guerrero shared the Lab’s recent work on the Climate Change Observatory, a monitoring network of tide gauges and flood sensors across Boston Harbor which is expanding to include a number of towns along the Massachusetts coastline. The Lab’s Data Scientist, Katie Zarada, also provided an overview on how data from the Lab’s various projects can be used by a range of stakeholders for planning and decision-making.

Rebecca Shoer and Liana Greenberg-Nielsen from the Education Team highlighted their work in climate education through public programming such as Wicked High Tides, youth programming, and professional development opportunities including the Summer Teacher Institute and the annual Education Workshop.

Christo wrapped up the presentation with the Lab’s work on policy innovation and climate preparedness which included its sponsorship of the Greening the Blue Line report– an evaluation of how nature-based solutions could help protect critical infrastructure in East Boston along the MBTA’s Blue Line.

The presentation was followed by a Q&A session and activities. It was exciting to see attendees’ interest in the Lab’s work, particularly around Living Seawalls projects and its potential for replication. In-person attendees also had the opportunity to try out many of the activities and resources that the Education Team brings to programming or tabling events throughout the year. Beyond sharing our work, the event created space for making connections, including conversations with friends and former colleagues from the Lab and beyond.