Our Oceans, Our Coasts and Us

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is dedicated to creating a world where both people and nature thrive. Grounded in rigorous science, TNC takes innovative conservation approaches from ideas into impactful action, scaling them to drive systemic change. As we confront the planetary crises of climate change and biodiversity loss, TNC works to protect and sustainably manage our ocean, lands and fresh water in partnership with communities, with the hope of putting us on the path to a prosperous future.

Artist Rebecca McGee Tuck also explores the intersection of humans and nature, collecting debris along the Massachusetts coastline. Each piece carries a clear reminder of our impact on ocean and coastal ecosystems. Together, McGee Tuck, TNC in Massachusetts Climate Adaptation Scientist Emma Gildesgame and Marine Ecologist Jessica Griffin, Ph.D will discuss what is at stake in this moment and share their work, passion and hope for our world and us.

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Artist Rebecca McGee Tuck has taken on the task of cleaning part of the coastline of debris from human activity, among other sources, and turning it into sculpture. The act is a way of re-using that debris, as well as calling attention to the dilemma of the plastic waste in our water. She says: “I am rooted in the reuse of discarded materials, creating found object fiber sculptures that resonate with sustainability and environmental consciousness. Through my work, I urge a reconsideration of our relationship with the environment. My ongoing series, Along the Wrack-Line, explores the balance between humans and nature. Collecting debris along the Massachusetts coastline, each piece carries a stark reminder of our impact on the ocean's ecosystem. Cleaned and transformed, they shed light on man-made materials polluting our waters and tangling wildlife.”

Emma Gildesgame is the Climate Adaptation Scientist for TNC in Massachusetts. She collaborates with communities and stakeholders to co-develop and implement equitable, nature-based solutions that benefit both people and nature at a pace and scale that match the urgency of climate change. Emma is passionate about elevating and empowering communities most often impacted by climate change. She takes a holistic, people-centered approach when working with partners to secure funding and implement solutions that align with the communities’ needs and priorities.

Emma holds a Master of Environmental Management in Water Resources Science and Management from the Yale School of the Environment and a B.A. in Environmental Science from Colby College.

Jessica Griffin, Ph.D. is the Coastal Sustainability Postdoctoral Research Fellow with Northeastern University and The Nature Conservancy. Jessica graduated from the University of Connecticut in 2017 with a B.S. in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Science and from the Joint Doctoral Program in Ecology at University of California, Davis and San Diego State University with a PhD in ecology. Jessica’s dissertation research focused on how climate change, eutrophication and invasive species alter interactions between eelgrass and bivalves. In her current position, she applies her research on eelgrass-bivalve interactions to improve outcomes for eelgrass restoration and understand effects of oyster aquaculture on eelgrass.

Host or Publisher Catalyst Conversations and The Nature Conservancy