Fifth Annual Gulf of Maine Shoreline Conference

An all-day conference addressing the changing conditions of our coastlines with a focus on how to deal with erosion, storms and rising seas.
About this Event

Save Our Shores Saco Bay is proud to present our 5th Annual Conference. The conference will feature classroom sessions devoted to climate change, coastal restoration, policy considerations and more. Two live sessions will take place on the beach. One will deal with coastal stabilization and technology, and the second will examine progress on the spur jetty under construction at Camp Ellis Beach.

The full day event will also include a trade show, poster presentations and networking opportunities.

Agenda

🕑: 08:45 AM - 09:30 AM
Keynote Address
Host: Jessica Brunacini · Wells Reserve at Laudholm

Info: Bouncing Forward — Transformational Approaches for Coastal Resilience in Maine

🕑: 09:30 AM - 09:45 AM
SOS Saco Bay Update
Host: David Plavin, VP, SOS Saco Bay
🕑: 09:45 AM - 10:00 AM
Networking Break
🕑: 10:00 AM - 10:55 AM
Session A1: Coastal Wildlife & Ecosystem Health
Host: Moderated by Sienna Zico, Gulf of Maine Research Inst.
🕑: 10:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Quantifying Saltmarsh & Nelson’s Sparrow Reproductive Success
Host: McLagan, Olsen, Ruskin, Kovach · UMaine / UNH
🕑: 10:20 AM - 10:35 AM
Understanding the Impact of Sea Level Rise on Coastal Mudflats and Fisheries
Host: McMahan, Farr, Oh · Manomet / UMass Amherst
🕑: 10:40 AM - 10:55 AM
Marine Mammal Response & Health in Maine
Host: Lynda Ada Doughty · Marine Mammals of Maine
🕑: 10:00 AM - 11:50 AM
Session A2: Nature-Based Solutions & Restoration
Host: Moderated by Helena Tatgenhorst, The Nature Conservancy
🕑: 10:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Case Study: Addressing Coastal Bluff Erosion with Nature-Based Solutions
Host: Tim Forrester · Flycatcher, LLC
🕑: 10:20 AM - 10:35 AM
Coastal Case Studies and Lessons Learned
Host: Jonathan Gawrys · Sumco Eco-Contracting
🕑: 10:40 AM - 10:55 AM
Advancing Nature-Based Strategies in Maine’s High Energy Habitats
Host: Dr. Jess Reilly-Moman · VHB
🕑: 11:00 AM - 11:15 AM
Flood Adaptation Hierarchy: Solutions from Green to Gray
Host: Helena Tatgenhorst · The Nature Conservancy
🕑: 11:20 AM - 11:50 AM
The Latest Innovations in Salt Marsh Restoration&Other Coastal Interface Areas
Host: Seth Wilkinson · Wilkinson Coastal Innovations
🕑: 11:00 AM - 12:35 PM
Lunch & Poster Sessions
🕑: 12:00 PM - 02:00 PM
Session B1: Coastal Processes and Climate Change
Host: Moderated by Jeremy Gabrielson
🕑: 12:00 PM - 12:15 PM
Erode Awakening: Mathematically Modeling Shoreline Erosion in Saco Bay
Host: Emily Kelting • UNE
🕑: 12:20 PM - 12:35 PM
Two Decades of Shoreline Change & Management Response from Saco Bay
Host: Katelyn DeWater · UNE '25
🕑: 12:40 PM - 12:55 PM
Maine’s Changing Coastline: UNE Research Updates from Saco Bay
Host: Will Kochtitzky · UNE
🕑: 01:00 PM - 01:15 PM
What’s in a Photo? Localizing Flood Data through Coastal Community Science
🕑: 01:20 PM - 01:35 PM
Advancing Nature-Based Strategies with Tools & Community Engagement
Host: Jake Aman • Wells Reserve at Laudholm
🕑: 01:40 PM - 01:50 PM
Overcoming Climate Change Indifference
Host: Peter M. Hanrahan
🕑: 12:45 PM - 02:00 PM
Session B2: Policy, Planning & Community Resilience
Host: Moderated by Maggie Mills
🕑: 01:00 PM - 01:15 PM
City of South Portland: Developing a Climate Resilience Overlay Zone (CROZ)
Host: Julie Rosenbach · City of South Portland
🕑: 01:20 PM - 01:35 PM
Pumping the Brakes: Using Moratoria as a Tool for Municipal Coastal Resilience
Host: Alison McKellar · Town of Camden
🕑: 01:40 PM - 01:55 PM
Emergency Preparedness for Coastal Weather Events & Older Populations
Host: Juliana Barrett · Connecticut Sea Grant
🕑: 01:55 PM - 02:10 PM
Networking Break
🕑: 02:10 PM - 02:30 PM
OUR SHORE
Host: Nathan Robbins, Maine DEP
🕑: 02:30 PM - 02:50 PM
One Minute Organization Updates

Info: Sign up at the Conference for a slot

🕑: 03:00 PM - 04:00 PM
On the Beach 1: Construction of the Camp Ellis Spur Jetty
Host: Jenifer Thalhauser · US Army Corps of Engineers

Info: Half hour session; attendees rotate to Session or vice versa

🕑: 03:00 PM - 04:00 PM
OTB 2: Coastal Proceses, Living Shoreline Regs. & Cost Effective Stabilization
Host: Peter Slovinsky, Maine Geological Survey
🕑: 04:00 PM - 05:00 PM
Closing Reception

Info: Light refreshments, networking, poster session 3