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Coastal conservation summit: Where scientists bridge research and practice  

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Over 1,000 coastal restoration policymakers, practitioners and managers converged in Washington, D.C., from October 6 to 10, for the 2024 Restore America’s Estuaries (RAE) Coastal and Estuarine Summit. The event sparked lively discussions on the latest coastal protection breakthroughs, highlighted success stories, and created new opportunities for collaboration in coastal and estuarine restoration. 

“This conference focuses on bridging the gap between research and application,” said Hallie Fischman, Ph.D., a postdoctoral researcher in the Center for Coastal Solutions (CCS). “It’s a great place to talk about our preliminary research results and how they could be scaled up. It’s a chance to connect with people doing work on the ground, see some of the challenges they’re facing, and the continued research that is needed.”  

At the 2024 Restore America’s Estuaries Coastal and Estuarine Summit, CCS’ Hallie Fischman presented a new dune grass planting technique that boosts dune restoration. The method leverages the positive interaction between bitter panicum and sea oats, with bitter panicum helping sea oats establish more effectively. (Photo credit: Steven Bailey) 

Fischman presented an overview of CCS’ dune restoration research during an Engineering With Nature® (EWN) short course at the conference. Her talk, centered on harnessing dunes to enhance coastal resilience and ecosystem services, highlighted several innovative research projects aimed at accelerating dune revegetation. These included strategies like high density planting, nutrient addition, diverse plantings, species interactions, the role of ghost crabs, and the impact of different sediment types on dune restoration. 

Participants in the short course learned how nature-based solutions, like dune restoration, can help protect coastlines. They also explored how to measure the “triple win” outcomes — environmental, engineering and socio-economic benefits — of EWN practices.  

Environmental engineering sciences graduate student Adrian Sakr shares sustainable material options for building living shorelines, a shoreline protection method using natural materials like plants and rocks. Joining Sakr and Fischman at the conference were environmental engineering sciences graduate students Britney Hay and Adam Hymel, and CCS associate director Andrew Altieri, Ph.D. (Photo credit: Britney Hay)  

After her talk, a participant approached Fischman and said, “This is the kind of work we’re striving to do in other parts of the country.” For Fischman, this highlighted the broader impact of her research.  

“It was rewarding to connect with other researchers from across the country who are tackling similar challenges,” said Fischman. “These conversations reinforced the importance of collaboration and shared knowledge in addressing the complex issues of coastal resilience and ecosystem restoration.” 

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By Megan Sam