Optimizing Solutions for Resilient Coasts

Save the Date: UF Center for Coastal Solutions Summit – Optimizing Solutions for Resilient Coasts
December 3-4, 2026
Austin Cary Forest Campus + UF Campus, Gainesville, FL

Connect with Coastal Leaders at the CCS 2026 Summit and learn about our work and facilities at the Open House

Join us for our fifth annual summit – Optimizing Solutions for Resilient Coasts – bringing together experts from academia, industry, and government to advance strategies that improve water quality, restore ecosystems, and strengthen community resilience across Florida, the Southeast and beyond.

Program highlights include keynote speaker John Warner, Research Oceanographer at the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, lightning talks on cutting-edge coastal research and technologies, a student poster session showcasing emerging talent, and networking breaks designed to spark new ideas and collaborations.

Whether you’re sharing expertise, exploring partnerships, or scouting new talent, this summit offers a unique platform to accelerate coastal solutions. Don’t miss this opportunity to grow and connect.

Interested in elevating your organization’s visibility, and connecting with leaders and rising talent in coastal resilience? Consider sponsoring the summit — learn more and sign up here.

Follow #CCSsummit2026 for updates — we look forward to welcoming you in Gainesville!

Note: This event is by invitation only.

Preliminary Program

December 3, 2026 | Austin Cary Forest
11-11:30am — Check-in
11:30am-12:30pm — Lunch
12:30-12:40 — Welcome
12:40-1:20pm — From Research to Resilience: Scientific Innovations for Coastal Systems / State of the CCS
1:20-1:50pm — CCS Research Project Presentation (TBA)
1:50-2:00pm — Sponsor Talk (TBA)
2:00-2:30pm — CCS Research Project Presentation (TBA)
2:30-3:45pm — Student Poster Session
3:45-4:30pm — Coffee Break + Lightning talks by CCS students and postdocs
4:30-5:15pm — Keynote speaker, Dr. John Warner, USGS
5:15-5:30pm — Closing remarks

December 4, 2026 | UF Campus
9am-12pm — Open House and Tours
Times and sign up instructions TBA – will include tours of the CCS Coastal Lab, HiPerGator, and Powell Family Structures & Materials Laboratory.

Registration Information 

Early bird registration (ends October 23): $85

Regular registration (after October 23): $100

Students: Students presenting posters or lightning talks will be guaranteed a spot with no registration fee; we will open up free registration to other students after November 12 if we still have space available.   

Please note, this event is invitation only and space-limited. If you’ve received an email inviting you to register, please register early to guarantee your spot.  

Registration includes lunch and a coffee break.

Student Poster Session

The summit offers an opportunity for students to share their research with peers and colleagues in a poster session. All presenting students must attend for the summit itself (no cost) and submit an abstract for review. Please note that abstract submissions are due by Friday, October 2, 2026, and poster spaces are limited and will be on a first come, first served basis. Please send abstracts to sharlynn@ufl.edu using the template link below.

Posters can be a maximum of 3 feet by 4 feet and orientation can be either portrait or landscape.

Lightning Talks

Additionally, four students / postdocs will have the opportunity to give lightning talks. Students, if you would like your poster abstract to be considered for a lightning talk slot, please note it in your abstract when you submit. Postdocs, please submit an abstract using the form below for your talk and indicate if you would take a poster slot in the event that we have room for more posters and you do not receive a speaking slot. Speakers may be asked to attend 2 to 3 training / practice sessions to help prepare for their lightning talks.

Venue

Austin Cary Forest Campus is located at 10625 NE Waldo Rd, Gainesville, FL 32609. The Stern Learning Center is 1.5 miles (about a five minute drive) from the entrance.

Directions: 

From I-75 Southbound: Take Exit 390 (FL-222/NW 39th Ave) East (almost 10 miles) to Waldo Road. Turn left (North); approximately 6 miles later, you’ll see a sign on the right-hand side indicating the Austin Cary Forest.

From I-75 Northbound: Take Exit 382 for FL-121/FL-331/Williston Road and turn left (North). Travel for 14.5 miles (approximately 20 minutes). Austin Cary Forest is on your right.

From I-10: Take Exit 343 (US 301) south. Continue south for approximately 36 miles through the cities of Starke and Waldo. At the exit for Gainesville, bear right onto FL-24/SW 4th Blvd/NE State Rd 24 Westbound and continue for 4 miles. Turn left at Austin Cary Forest.

There is a stone wall and a gate at the entrance to the Austin Cary Forest. Head straight through the gate and past the buildings and vehicles to Loop Road. Follow it around for about 1.5 miles, noting the signs to turn right towards Lake Mize. Parking is available in several areas.