Shoreline Adaptation Engagement Effort
Corte Madera | CA
In collaboration with Town of Corte Madera staff Plan to Place launched the Shoreline Adaptation Engagement Effort to share information about current and future flood vulnerabilities, discuss potential strategies to address impacts, and listen to the ideas, hopes, concerns, and needs of shoreline residents and other stakeholders. A broad range of engagement methods, including intimate stakeholder meetings with shoreline residents and organizations, in-person and virtual workshops, pop-ups in shoreline neighborhoods during King tide events, and interactive online flood visualization tools (the “Shoreline Flood Explorer” and informational video) was broadly shared and helped the community understand how serious flood risks are today, even without future sea level rise, and the need for immediate action. Events and updates were communicated through the project website and mailed postcards, social media posts, the Town newsletter, A-frame signs in neighborhoods, and the project email list. Additionally, local Neighborhood Response Groups (NRGs), which focus on disaster preparedness, and the Town’s Flood Board were trained to help spread the word to their neighbors. The Shoreline Adaptation Engagement Effort increased the community's understanding of flooding risks, rebuilt community trust, and secured community support for significant and urgently needed infrastructure interventions to protect shoreline neighborhoods. The effort also contributed to a successful FEMA grant application to study and design improvements to Marina Village Flood Berm, which protects dozens of homes, businesses, and roads, including U.S. Highway 101.