2026 Coastal Resiliency Research Symposium

Conservation, Communities, and Coastal Futures

September 17th and 18th, 2026

Duke University Marine Lab - Beaufort, NC

Communities, Researchers, and practitioners strengthening the region’s coastal protected areas

The Coastal Resiliency Research Symposium is a one and a half day meeting of researchers, agency officials, adaptation specialists, and park managers working to strengthen the region’s coastal protected areas. Guided by this year's theme, Conservation, Community, and Coastal Futures, the symposium places community-centered work at its core, uplifting solutions developed for communities, by communities.

Registration is now closed.

Topics

Goals

Participants will spotlight new research, policy, outreach, and community engagement approaches to coastal resiliency being implemented locally that protected area managers in NC should know more about, as well as those approaches already working for the state’s National Seashores that could transfer to other coastal parks.

Participating Organizations

Government agencies

• National Park Service

• North Carolina Division of Coastal Management

• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

University Faculty and Research Teams

• Duke University

• North Carolina State University

• East Carolina University

• University of North Carolina Chapel Hill

Regional Stakeholders

• North Carolina 3rd US Congressional District

• Town of Beaufort

• North Carolina Coastal Federation

• National Parks Conservation Association

• North Carolina Coastal Reserve

• Gullah Geechee Community Members and Organizations

Event Sponsors

Featured Discussion

Rooted: An Ecology of Gullah Geechee Memory Along the Coast

Following the launch of Rooted, we will be hosting a panel discussion titled “Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage as Coastal Resilience.” This panel discussion will highlight the interconnection between people and the natural environment, featuring Joshua Jenkins (one of the lead interviewers for Rooted), Tia Clark (one of the project’s interviewees), Joni “Osku” Backstrom (University of North Carolina Wilmington professor and researcher), and Tendaji Bailey (founder of the Gullah Geechee Futures Project). Together, they will explore how generations of ecological knowledge, cultural traditions, and community stewardship continue to shape more resilient coastal landscapes. The discussion will also examine how centering local voices and lived experience can strengthen conservation efforts and inform more equitable approaches to coastal resilience.

Agenda

Thursday, September 17th

• 9:00am - Registration and coffee

• 10:00am - Welcome address by Nicholas School Stanback Dean Lori Bennear

• 10:15am - Featured presentation from:

  • Mackenzie Todd

• 10:45am - Morning break

• 11:00am - Panel 1: Living Along the Coast

  • Jon Altman, Sarah Spiegler, Anne Mitchell Whisnant

  • Moderated by Sofía Velázquez Sierra

• 12:00pm - Featured presentation from:

  • April Hall

• 12:30pm - Lunch social at The Grove

• 1:45pm - Featured presentations - speakers include:

  • Greg Piniak

  • Michelle Lewis

• 2:45pm - Afternoon break

• 3:00pm - Panel 2: Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage as Coastal Resilience

  • Joshua Jenkins, Tyanna West, Joni “Osku” Backstrom

  • Moderated by Ariel Kimberley

• 4:00pm - Featured presentation from:

  • Emmanuel Maldonado Gonzalez

• 4:30pm - Silent auction winners announcement

• 5:00pm - Research facility tour

  • Shearwater RV

  • Wet lab facility

• 6:30pm - Dinner social and oyster roast at The Grove

• 8:00pm - Informal gathering at Backstreet Pub

friday, September 18th

• 9:00am - Registration and coffee

• 9:45am - Panel 3: Passing the Tide: Coastal Work for Future Generations

  • Elizabeth DeMattia, Jeff Hunter, Stephanie Rousso

  • Moderated by Eboni Preston

• 10:45am - Closing remarks by Dr. Michelle Nowlin

• 11:45am - Farewell and thank you from:

  • Ariel Kimberley

  • Sofía Velázquez Sierra

Attendance

Registration

Registration is now closed.

Fee

The event fee of $125 provides each registrant with:

• Reserved seating for all speaker and panel sessions

• Full admission to all networking events

  • Oyster roast dinner social (Thursday, September 17th)

• Conference meals

  • Mornings - coffee and pastry selection

  • Lunch - salad and sandwiches

• On-site vehicle parking

• Welcome packet

  • Program map and materials

  • Nametag

Speakers & panel guests - A discount code will be sent directly to you.

Note - If you are interested in attending but unable to afford the fee, contact us and we may be able to find a way to allow you to participate.

Accommodations

We recommend staying at the Compass Hotel by Margaritaville in Beaufort. It's only a 7-minute drive from the Marine Lab, and they can hold luggage before and after check-in/check-out times.

Compass Hotel
103 Cedar Street, Beaufort, NC 28516

www.compasshotel.com/compass-beaufort | (252) 418-1499

Location

Duke University Marine Lab
135 Duke Marine Lab Rd, Beaufort, NC 28516

Attire

No requirement; smart/business casual recommended. This event will include many outdoor social events and optional research vessel tours so we discourage overly formal attire.

Questions

Please direct any event inquires to Ariel Kimberley at the Park Institute of America.

email | (919) 229-9554