Digital Coast Fellowship

2012-2014 Project Summaries

American Planning Association and Coastal States Organization: The fellow worked with the American Planning Association (APA) and Coastal States Organization (CSO) to assess state and local policies concerning coastal planning and coastal resource management to produce a planning advisory services report. Jim Schwab of APA says “Elizabeth has been tackling a complex project with considerable patience and grace. At the APA National Planning Conference in Atlanta at the end of April this year, she presented an excellent session on coastal zone management with well-prepared speakers who contributed a great deal.” Her other mentor, Lindsey Kraatz of CSO, says “Elizabeth is a stellar addition to CSO. She actively interacts with coastal and Great Lakes managers to educate, update, and collaborate on the use and effectiveness of the Digital Coast partnership and resources. Elizabeth is an editor of the upcoming APA Planning Advisory Services Report on Coastal Zone Management (CZM), which will be a tremendous asset in informing stakeholders on the importance of CZM programs and use of the Digital Coast.”

National Association of Counties and National States Geographic Information Council: Alyssum Pohl worked with the National Association of Counties (NACo) and National States Geographic Information Council (NSGIC) to help state and local coastal decision makers better utilize geospatial data to help improve the resilience of their coastal communities. “Alyssum tirelessly worked to train our members and other partners on the Digital Coast tools, and was an invaluable technical resource in the office on coastal and environmental management topics as well as GIS. Additionally, she brings a creative, positive energy to the office. We are so lucky to have her!” says Kathy Nothstine of NACo. Bill Burgess of NSGIC adds, “Alyssum immediately establishes a great rapport with others which, when combined with her technical skills, allows her to be an effective trainer. She was a great asset in our efforts to train fellows from other programs and executive agency staff on the tools and information available in Digital Coast.”

The Nature Conservancy and Association of State Floodplain Managers: The fellow worked with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) to integrate watershed and coastal strategies that support disaster risk reduction and adaptation solutions and enhance community resilience. “Through detailed research and analysis of the issue, Laura has helped create a strong connection between GIS-based water quality modeling and on-the-ground monitoring while also connecting key partners and stakeholders from county and local planning departments and The Nature Conservancy in Wisconsin,” says her ASFPM mentor Jeff Stone. “Laura has been exemplary in her ability to contribute to The Nature Conservancy’s Coastal Resilience program. She has not only been able to set a prime example of spatial analyses that illustrate flooding impacts and risk reduction solutions in specific Puget Sound floodplains, but she has also taken leadership with our training and Coastal Resilience communication products,” adds her other mentor, Zach Ferdana of TNC.