Description

1) Risk Communication: A Campaign for Coastal New Jersey
Devon Blair, NJDEP, devon.blair@dep.nj.gov
Co-presenters: Danielle Bursk, New Jersey State Council on the Arts, danielle.bursk@sos.nj.gov and Amanda Archer, Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve, amanda.archer@marine.rutgers.edu

Abstract: The New Jersey Coastal Management Program has formed partnerships with the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and the Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve to work with New Jersey communities in creative ways to communicate their risk to flooding. The risk communication campaigns aim to increase awareness and understanding of the risk posed by coastal flooding through several outreach efforts – a community‐based art grant program and social media campaigns. Each component aims to improve the methods and materials used by the state and local‐decision makers, as well as community organizations and members, when communicating about the risk of coastal flooding.  A series of community‐based art installations allows close work with community organizations around the state to host and partner with artists to create a unique artwork. Events are held to engage communities around the artwork as a way to communicate flood risks and provide information about flood risk.   A photo documentation application was created for New Jersey through MyCoast.org. MyCoast allows users to connect through tools used to document tides, storm damage, beach cleanups, and more. MyCoast New Jersey features four tools total; two photo documentation tools, called “High Water” and “Places You Love”, an education tool “Know Your Tides NJ”, and a story sharing forum “Rising Together NJ”. “Know Your Tides NJ” and “Rising Together NJ” were promoted through social media campaigns.  This presentation will share the communication efforts, tools, and projects New Jersey Coastal Management Program is taking to communicate and better prepare our state for climate change. Through Risk Communication: A Campaign for Coastal New Jersey NJ CMP and our partners are able to share the importance of understanding flooding and how you can best protect yourself while communicating in a way that is understandable and welcoming to community members.

2) Alluvial Decoder: An Immersive Educational Floodplain Installation
Wayne Miles, PE, City of Raleigh, wayne.miles@raleighnc.gov
Co-presenters: None

Abstract: Alluvial Decoder is a site-specific education installation on the City of Raleigh’s greenway trail along the banks of Crabtree Creek that was commissioned by Raleigh Stormwater to raise awareness about the area’s floodplain. The project, which consists of several components including a mural, creative placemaking, and educational markers, is an excellent example of how public art and creative placemaking can educate the community and invite conversation surrounding critical issues. The display has already met the project goal of increasing awareness of the importance of floodplain management and communicating the risks of urban flooding. Local media, including newspapers and television stations have done multiple stories on the installation, including live broadcasts from the site during preparations prior to Hurricane Ian hitting the Carolinas. This presentation will discuss the details of the display's messaging and artistic elements as well as the creative process used by the design team, A Gang of Three, consisting of William H. Dodge, Lincoln Hancock, and Will Belcher.

3) Love Your Levee – A Social Media Campaign to Celebrate Successful Partnering to Address Flooding
Brooke Magary, US Army Corps of Engineers, brooke.e.magary@usace.army.mil
Co-presenters: Rachel Lopez, rachel.l.lopez@usace.army.mil; Katie Noland, Katelyn.M.Noland@usace.army.mil

Abstract: Often in flood risk management, the dialogue is driven by what can or has gone wrong. This was the case for many years with the Wood River Drainage and Levee District and the USACE St. Louis District. Together, the two entities focused on the levee and understanding what could go wrong and how to avoid such events. However, the two found that focusing only on what could go wrong, and not on what had gone well, was a missed opportunity. Together, the levee district and USACE decided to partner and join forces with key members of the community to highlight the success stories surrounding the levees. This was done with a focus on public safety, promoting risk awareness and the need for continued investment. The intent of the campaign was to answer the “what’s in it for me?” question for the public by using trusted community members to explain why they should care and remain informed about their levees. This session will focus on how USACE and the levee district worked together to craft a campaign recognizing the work that was done to keep the levee in good working order and improve emergency preparedness in the community. This social media campaign became an avenue to address challenging relationships and create a community dialogue about the levees and their role in managing the community’s flood risk, and why we all should “Love Your Levee”.