EngagingEasternShore CommunitiesinProtectionof theSaltMarshesofBlackwater NationalWildlifeRefuge Interviews with stakeholders from academic, non‐profit, business and faith groups conducted for Pickering Creek Audubon Center 0 June2015 Reportauthor: KarenAkerlof,PhD CenterforClimateChangeCommunication,GeorgeMasonUniversity ThisreportwasfundedthroughagrantfromtheTownCreekFoundationofEaston, MarylandtoAudubonforthesupportofPickeringCreekAudubonCenter’ssaltmarsh communityengagementproject,“SaltMarshStories.” PhotoofBlackwaterNationalWildlifeRefugecourtesyofK.Akerlof 1 Executive Summary PickeringCreekAudubonCentermaintainsalonghistoryofprovidingsuccessful environmentaleducationprogrammingonMaryland’sEasternShore.Thegoalofthe“Salt MarshStories”programistobuildonthatfoundationalexpertise,expandingtonewadult audiencesinTalbotandDorchestercountieswithcontentthatservestonotonlyinform participantsabouttheecologicalroleofthesaltmarshes,butspurheightenedcommunity discourseandadvocacyonbehalfoftheirpreservation.InSpring2015,GeorgeMason University’sCenterforClimateChangeCommunicationconductedasetofstakeholder interviewswithindividualsrepresentingfourareasofinterestfortheprogram:business andfaithcommunities,highereducation,andregionalAudubonchapters.Thefindingsand recommendationsfromthestudyaredetailedbelow. Characterization of the social and ecological communities Waterwasfrequentlyidentifiedbyrespondentsasthemostcharacteristicaspectsof natureinthesecommunities,aswellasmarsh,treesandopenfields.Peoplealso pointedoutthatthesenaturalaspectshadchangedovertime. Respondentspointedtotensionsinthecommunities,andontheEasternShore generally,thatfurthercomplicatedthesechangesintherelationshipbetween communitiesandnaturalresources:tensionsbetweengenerations;between farmersandwatermen;betweenenvironmentalgroupsandindustry,especially poultry;betweennewresidentsandlongtimeinhabitants;andbetweenracial groups. Pickering Creek Audubon Center’s role in the community PickeringCreekissupportedbythestakeholdersinterviewedforthisstudyin exploringabroaderroleinthelocalcommunity,butthereisalsorecognitionof complexnatureofthechallenge.Possiblebarriersincluded:thereluctanceoflocal policymakerstoaddresstheissues;thepossibilityforcommunityresistanceto changesinlandusebroughtuponbythemigrationofthesaltmarshes;and Audubon’sframingoftheissueasoneofclimatechangeandhabitatconservation versuscommunityresilienceandadaptation. Opportunities for community engagement—and challenges Otherorganizationshavealreadyexploredmodelsforconductingwetlands adaptationwithincommunitiesthatcouldbeinstructiveinpreservingBlackwater’s saltmarshes:acommunityofadaptationpractice;andconversationswithSmithand Dealislandresidents. Citedchallengesincommunityengagementincludedthewidepoliticizationof environmentalissuesandthescaleoftheproblemwhichrendersanyone individual’sactionsseeminglyinsignificant. 1 Communication and attitudes about the salt marshes, sea‐level rise and climate change Respondentssaidtheybelievedthateffectsofchangesonthewater—floodingand sea‐levelrise—weremorelikelytobediscussedthanclimatechangeorthe marshes. Wetlandsstillhaveapublicrelationsproblemnotedinterviewees—as“mucky, mosquito‐infected”areas. Recommendations Developamulti‐yearcommunicationplanthatdetailstherolethatPickeringCreek choosestotakeinthecommunityanditsimplementation—whetheritistocontinue largelyprovidingenvironmentaleducation,orwhetheritistopresentinformation toinformlocaldecision‐makingaboutpolicies. Considerthefullarrayofpossiblyinfluentialaudiencesinlocalcommunities, especiallycivicleaders,andwhatcontributionstheymightmaketothewider discourse. Evaluatewhethertherearedifferencesintheneedsandperspectivesofthenew targetaudiencestothesaltmarshes,andhowthosemightbeaddressedin recruitment,presentationcontent,andexperientialevents. 2 Background Forthelastfouryears,PickeringCreekAudubonCenterhaspartneredwithAudubon Maryland‐DC,BlackwaterNationalWildlifeRefuge,andTheConservationFundtoconduct communityoutreachandeducationinconjunctionwiththeirresearchandimplementation ofadaptationstrategiesforsaltmarshecosystemsincombattingtheeffectsofsea‐level rise.PickeringCreekhasalongsuccessfulhistoryofprovidingenvironmentaleducation programming,especiallyforelementaryschoolstudents.“SaltMarshStories”seekstobuild onthatexpertise,expandingtonewadultaudiencesinTalbotandDorchestercountieswith contentthatservestonotonlyinformparticipantsabouttheecologicalroleofthesalt marshes,butspurheightenedcommunitydiscourseandadvocacyonbehalfoftheir preservation.TheculminationoftheseactivitieswillbeasaltmarshforuminDorchester Countyin2016thatengagescivicleadersfromallwalksoflife,includingthebusiness communityandfaithorganizations. Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge and Dorchester County DorchesterCountysitsalong1,500scenicmilesofChesapeakeBayshorelineboundedby theChoptankRivertothenorthandtheNanticokeRivertothesouth.Wetlandsriddlethe interior,comprisingnearlyhalfofthecountyandincludingthesaltmarshesofBlackwater NationalWildlifeRefuge.1Thetidalmarsheswithinthisregionaresomeofthemost extensiveintheUnitedStatesandrepresentcriticalwildlifehabitat,particularlyforbirds. Inthepastcentury,thousandsofacresofmarshhaveconvertedtoopenwaterdueto destructionfrominvasivespeciesandrelativesea‐levelrise. Thecountyfaceseconomicchallengesaswellasthreatstoitsnaturalecosystems.The primaryindustriesinthecountyaremanufacturing,services,tourism,and agriculture/aquaculture.2Asof2013,morethan700businessescalledDorchesterhome, butonly16ofthemwith100workersormore.3Atjustover$46,000,medianhousehold incomesforthecountyarelessthantwo‐thirdsofthatofthestateasawhole.4Thecounty hasoneofthehighestunemploymentratesinMaryland(8.5%),comparabletotheCityof Baltimore(8.7%)3;lessthan20%ofresidentshaveabachelor’sdegree;and16.5%live underthepovertylevel.4Bywayofcomparison,TalbotCounty,whilejustnorthof DorchesterCounty,hasmedianincomesthataremorethanathirdhigher,and unemploymentratesthatare2.9percentagepointslower. Establishedinthe1600s,DorchesterandTalbotCountieswereoneoftheearliestsettled areasbycolonistsinMaryland.Theymaintainrichhistories,famouslychronicledinJames 1 Lerner, J.A., Curson, D.R., Whitbeck, M. and Meyers, E.J. 2013. Blackwater 2100: A strategy for salt marsh persistence in an era of climate change. The Conservation Fund (Arlington, VA) and Audubon MD‐DC (Baltimore, MD). 2 Maryland Dept. of Business and Economic Development. ND. Brief economic facts: Dorchester County, Maryland. Available at http://business.maryland.gov/Documents/ResearchDocument/DorchesterBef.pdf 3 Maryland Dept. of Business and Economic Development. 2015. Maryland Data Explorer. Available at http://business.maryland.gov/about/rankings‐and‐statistics/data‐explorer 4 U.S. Census Bureau. 2015, Apr. 22. QuickFacts, Dorchester County, Maryland. Available at http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/24/24019.html 3 Michener’snovel“Chesapeake.”ThesehistoriesincludepivotalfiguresandeventsinU.S. anti‐slaveryandCivilRightsmovements,includingasthebirthplaceofHarrietTubman, siteoftheUndergroundRailroad,andCivilRightsdemonstrationsinthe1960s.Abouta thirdofresidentsinDorchesterarefromcommunitiesofcolor,oneofthehighestrates alongtheEasternShore,onparwithWicomicoCounty(33%)andsomewhatlowerthan Somerset(48%).5 Public opinion on sea‐level rise and climate change in the Eastern Shore RoughlyathirdofMarylandersinthecountiesalongtheEasternShore—fromKentto WicomicoandWorcester—saythattheyareveryorextremelysureclimatechangeis happening(32%),asimilarpercentageareveryorextremelysuresea‐levelriseis happeningalongMaryland’scoastlines(37%).6EasternShoreresidentsarelesscertain thatclimatechangeishappeningthantherestofthestate(45%very/extremelysure),but theyaremorecertainthatsea‐levelriseishappeningthanotherMarylanders(18% very/extremelysure). Outreach program PickeringCreekAudubonCenter’sSaltMarshStoriesprogramconsistsofthree components:1)aneducationalpresentationdeliveredtoaudiencesattheirlocation;2) toursofthenationalwildliferefugetolearnaboutitsimportanceaspartoftheAtlantic Flywayforcriticalbirdhabitat;and3)restorationofsaltmarshbyvolunteerreplantingof grassplugsinareasthathaveexperiencedecologicaldeterioration.Organizationsmay choosetoparticipateinoneormoreoftheactivities.TheexcursionstoBlackwater NationalWildlifeRefugeoftenbringtogethergroupsofdifferentagesandinterests,suchas Audubonchaptermembersandundergraduatestudentsfromlocaluniversities. Research role GeorgeMasonUniversity’sCenterforClimateChangeCommunicationwasaskedtoassist insupportingandassessingPickeringCreek’seffortsin2014‐2015withaudienceresearch. Thestudyincludesasetofstakeholderinterviewscapturedinthisreport,abaseline survey,andfollow‐upsurveyswithparticipantsoftheBlackwaterexcursion.The stakeholderinterviewspresentedinthisreportrepresentfouraudiencesofinterest: businessandfaithcommunities,highereducation,andregionalAudubonchapters. Interviews TheobjectiveoftheinterviewsistofurtherprogramdevelopmentofSaltMarshStoriesby providinginformationabouttheenvironmentalperceptions,mentalmodels,interests,and 5 Maryland State Data Center. 2011. Census: Census 2010 Redistricting (Public Law 94‐171) Data. Minority population share for Maryland’s jurisdictions, 2010. Available at http://planning.maryland.gov/msdc/census/cen2010/PL94‐171/map/MinShare10.pdf 6 Akerlof, K., Maibach, E. W., & Boules, C. 2014. Public perceptions of climate change: A Maryland statewide survey, fall 2014. Fairfax, VA: Center for Climate Change Communication, George Mason University.; Akerlof, K., & Maibach, E. W. 2014. Adapting to climate change & sea level rise: A Maryland statewide survey, fall 2014. Fairfax, VA: Center for Climate Change Communication, George Mason University. Available at climatemaryland.org. 4 socialnetworksofindividualsrepresentativeofthefourfocalaudiences.PickeringCreek hassubstantialconnectionswithinstitutionsofhighereducationthatdeliver environmentalsciencecurriculaandthenetworkofregionalAudubonchapters.These audiencesarethetraditionalaudiencesforPickeringCreek’sSaltMarshStoriesprograms. In2015,PickeringCreekalsoincreasedoutreachtothebusinessandfaithcommunitiesof TalbotandDorchestercounties. Methodology InSpring2015,theauthorinterviewedeightindividualsrecruitedfromalistof15 presentedascurrent,orpotential,stakeholdersbyPickeringCreekAudubonCenter.The distributionoftheintervieweesacrossthefouraudiencesofinterest,andBlackwater NationalWildlifeRefuge,isasfollows: 1‐businesscommunity 1‐faithcommunity 2‐highereducation 3‐regionalAudubonchapters 1‐BlackwaterNationalWildlifeRefuge Halfoftheintervieweeswerefemale;onewasfromacommunityofcolor.Thedistribution ofinterviewsubjectsisheavilyweightedtowardPickeringCreekAudubonCenter’s traditionalaudiencesfortheirenvironmentaleducationprograms;thisisalimitationof thisstudy.However,itwasdeemedmoreeffectiveforPickeringCreektoconductfurther outreachwiththeseaudiencesasacomponentoftheirheightenedrecruitmentcampaign withthesegroupsinsteadofwideningthestudy. Theinterviewswereconductedbothbytelephoneandin‐personatconvenientsitesforthe respondents.Allinterviewswereaudiorecordedandtranscribed.Theinterviewsranged from34to60minutes,averaging51minutes;theyweresemi‐structured,basedonascript, butvarieddependingontheareasofexpertiseoftherespondents(seeinstrumentin appendix).Theinterviewscoveredfiveprimarytopicsand14subtopics(Table1).Thetext wasexcerptedbythe14subtopicsandthenevaluatedforthemesandrelevantinformation. Duetothesmallsamplesize,extrapolationbeyondtheseinterviewees’statementstowider audiencesisnotadvised.However,theperspectivesoftheseindividualsareofsignificance, eveniftheyarenotbroadlyrepresentative,becauseofthesestakeholders’relationships withPickeringCreekandthusimportancetotheSaltMarshStoriesprogram. 5 Table1—Interviewtopicsandcodingofsubtopicswithintranscriptexcerpts Topic Descriptionofcommunityandnatural resources Subtopics Communitydescription Respondentinformation Salientnature PickeringCreekAudubonCenter’s CharacterizationofPickeringCreek communityrole RelationshipwithPickeringCreek Blackwatertripexperiences Barriersandopportunitiesforcommunity Respondentcommunity engagement involvement Fundingandpolitics Modelsforcommunityengagement Influentialpeopleandorganizations Connectedcommunitymembers Communityleaders Communicationandattitudesaboutsalt Saltmarshes marshes,sea‐levelrise,andclimatechange Sea‐levelrise Climatechange ThestudywasdeterminedtobeexemptbytheInstitutionalReviewBoardforGeorge MasonUniversity(Protocol#707694‐1).Theintervieweeswereassuredthattheir commentswouldremainanonymous.Forthatreason,noidentifyinginformationis provided. Findings Notablethemesandrespondentstatementsfromacrosseachoftheprimarytopicareasare detailedinthefivesubsectionsbelow.Thesearefollowedbyasetofcommunication recommendationsbasedonthestudyfindings. Description of “community” and natural resource interests ParticipantsintheSaltMarshStoriesprogramarefromgeographicallydisparateareas— theyliveinareasreachingfromthenorthernsuburbsofBaltimoretoSalisburyinthe southernreachesofMaryland’sEasternShore.HalfoftheintervieweesreferredtoTalbot andDorchestercountiesastheircommunitiesofreference;halfidentifiedwitheither largercommunities(theEasternShore)ornon‐geographiccommunitiesofsharedinterest (Audubon).RespondentsassociatedwithAudubonchapterssaidthattheydidnotknow thelocalcommunitiesaroundBlackwaterNationalWildlifeRefugewell,andbelievedthat improvingconnectionswithlocalresidentsandcivicleadersshouldbeapriorityfor PickeringCreek. 6 ThosewhoreportedknowingthecommunitiesofDorchesterandTalbotdescribedthemas ruralwithanemphasisontheirheritageoffarmingandfishing,butwithsizeable differencesintheirresidentsandeconomics: Bothcommunitiesaregreatsmalltowns.They’rebothrural.They’rebothvery orientedonthewaterandhaveverymuchanagriculturalwatermenwayoflife. TalbotCountyisgainingaverylargepercentageofretireesthatareeducatedwhoare comingoutheretotheirsecondhomesthattheyhadbefore—nowthey’reretiring here.DorchesterCountyhassomeofthatbutnotpredominantly.DorchesterCountyis muchlowereconomically.Ithasalotmoreunemployment,alotmoreSection8 housing. Waterwasfrequentlyidentifiedbyrespondentsasthemostcharacteristicaspectsof natureinthesecommunities,aswellasmarsh,treesandopenfields.Peoplealsopointed outthatthesenaturalaspectshadchangedovertime.Asonerespondentsaidof BlackwaterNationalWildlifeRefuge,“WhenIwasgrowingup…therewasn’taBlackWater Lake,itwasallmarsh.”Anotherrespondentdiscussedthewaysinwhichthemovementof themarshandwatersincreasinglythreatenedtheircommunity.Declinesinwaterquality werealsomentionedbyinterviewees(“witheachnewhousingdevelopment,Iseeour waterqualitygodown”).Moreover,respondentsdiscussedchangesintherelationship betweencommunitiesandnaturalresourcesbroughtuponbyenvironmentalchanges, economicforces,andculturalshifts. Decreasedpublicaccesstowaterfrontwasbroughtupbytworespondents;onewho saidthatshehadfondmemoriesofswimmingintheBay,butthattheshoreline accesspointwasnowonprivateland. [Ourchildren,theoffspring]theyknownowtheycan'tgetbyjustbeinga waterman.Theycan'tgetbywithjustfarming,theyhavetohaveanotherincome sourceorbackupiftheywanttohaveaproductivelifeandhave,youknow,thethings theywantintheirfamily. Rightnow,atleastintheeasternarea,Iseealotofplaces,they'recuttingdown theirtreesbecausetheycanget$8,000andthey'retoldit'llcomeback.Iwasn’t seeingthatwhenIfirstcame.Ithinktimesareharder.Peoplearelookingtobemore creativewithwaystogainincome. Ithinknationallytherehasbeenadeclineinhuntingregistrations.Inacommunity likeTalbotandDorchesterCountythatdeclinehasprobablybeenless,butIwouldn’t besurprisedifthetrendisalsopresent. WhenIwasgrowingup,therewerealotofpeopleinmyhighschoolandcollegewho, youknow,backpackedalot,bicycledtouredalot.Butnow,it'slike,Idon’tknowany kidwhobicycletours.…it'sjustnotmuchapartoftheculture.Iblamecomputers. 7 Anumberofrespondentspointedtotensionsinthecommunities,andontheEasternShore generally,thatfurthercomplicatedthesechangesintherelationshipbetweencommunities andnaturalresources:tensionsbetweengenerations;betweenfarmersandwatermen; betweenenvironmentalgroupsandindustry,especiallypoultry;betweennewresidents andlongtimeinhabitants;andbetweenracialgroups. Andfarmersandwatermen,Ilookatthemallasfarmers,butfarmersandwatermen havehistoricallynot[gotten]alongthatgreat.Andthisnutrientmanagementof theChesapeakeBayWatershed…therewasalotofpushback.It’syourfaultthatour ChesapeakeBayishalfdead.No,it’syourfault.No,you'retakingtoomuchfoodoutof thewater.No,you'rehavingtoomuchrunoffonyourfarmland. Ithinkthat,youknow,it'sstillverymuchseenasenvironmentalversusagriculture andindustry.Andtome,thatseemssoarchaic,youknow,thatidea.Ifeelinalotof ways,theEasternShore,it'sabout10or20yearsbehindthetimesintermsofcultural perceptions…. We'rehavingamajorinfluence,influxofhumans,thatarelivinghereintheDelmarva PeninsulaandworkinginDC,Baltimore,andsometimesfartherawaythanthat.So, we’reseeinganinfluxofhumanpopulation.Letmetellyou,thepeoplefromhere donotlikeit. TheAfricanAmericanguysthatIgottoknow,theywouldalltalkabouthowovertly andsortofnotsosubtlyracistitstillwas… Thecommentsofintervieweesportraycommunities,especiallythatofDorchesterCounty, thatarestrugglingtoovercomeenormouschangesintheirculture,economy,and relationshipwiththeirnaturalresources.Oneintervieweesaidthatshebelievedthat DorchesterCountywasonaneconomicupswing,yethighlevelsofunemploymentand povertyintheareasclosesttoBlackwaterNationalWildlifeRefugewilllikelylimitthe adaptivecapacityofitsresidentsandtheirabilitytomarshalresourcesandpoliticalwillfor protectionoftheircommunitiesandthesaltmarshesfromtheeffectsofsea‐levelriseand climatechange.Pre‐existingcommunitytensionsmayfurthercomplicatetheseprocesses. Pickering Creek Audubon Center’s community role IntervieweeswereaskedabouttheroleofPickeringCreekAudubonCenterinthe community:whattheirrelationshipwaswithPickeringCreek;whattheythoughtthatthe naturecenterdidparticularlywellinthecommunity;andwhatitcouldcontributebeyond itscurrentoutreachandeducationprograms.Whileallintervieweesappreciatedthe programsthatPickeringCreekprovides,theyandtheiraffiliatedorganizationseach perceivedthemthroughslightlydifferentlensesbasedontheneedsoftheiraffiliated organization.Forexample,representativesofenvironmentalscienceandstudiesprograms 8 inhighereducationinstitutionssaidthattheyvaluedthefieldtripsasexperientiallearning opportunitiesthataugmenttheirundergraduatecurricula. PickeringCreekhasgivenmeaplatformtoexpounduponwithlearning, especiallyenvironmentalsciencelearning.Youcanteachitinaclassroomorinalab insideabuildingtillthecowscomehomebutifyoudon’ttakeinterestandyoudon’t getthemoutintheecologyofnature,they'renotgoingtomakethisconnection. RespondentsnotedthatPickeringCreek’sstrengthswereinenvironmentaleducation, particularlywithstudentsatlocalschools,butthatitsfocusinrecentyearshadbeen expandingtoincludeabroaderroleinthecommunityinaddressingclimatechangeand habitatconservation. Idoknowasfarastheirofferingsthattheyhaveatonofschoolgroupscoming through.Theyhaveincrediblephysicalsetup,youknow.Andwhatthey’redoingwith whattheyhave:creatingmarshlandsandhavingcurrentretiredprofessorsdoing researchthereandhavingkidsattachedtothat.Ithinkjusttryingtoeducate everybody,thewholepublicnotjustpublicschools,aboutenvironmentalissues andthevalueofnaturalsystems...Andmysenseisthey’redoingagreatjobwithit. AndIthinkthattheroleofPickeringCreekisstillinmanywaysbasedineducationbut itiseducationthatbringsanunderstandingoftheissuesaffectingbirdsandleadsto actiononpartoftheparticipants.Itleadsthemtotakeaction,whetherthatis participatinginahabitatrestorationeffortinBlackwater,orbuildingabackyard schoolhabitat,orplantingnativeplantsintheirownbackyard.So,Ithinkitsroleis bringingthecommunityuptospeedontheissuesthatarefacingusandare facingbirds. InterestsineducationaboutBlackwaterNationalWildlifeRefugeanditsendemicand migratorybirdspeciesextendedtoadultaudiencesbeyondtheEasternShore.Indeed,a chaptermembernotedthatsomeofthestrongestinterestintheseprogramscomesfrom peopleonthewesternshoreoftheBay;afewnotedthattheyenjoyedthe multigenerationalaspectsofthegrassplantingsalongsideundergraduatestudentsand representativesofU.S.Fish&WildlifeServiceandPickeringCreek. OtherrespondentswithconnectionstohabitatconservationeffortsatBlackwaterNational WildlifeRefugesuggestedthatPickeringCreekneededtopushfurthertowardactivities thatsupportedpublicandlocalgovernmentalengagementonsea‐levelriseadaptation,but alsorecognizedthedifficultiesindoingso.Thesechallengesincluded: thereluctanceoflocalpolicymakerstoaddresstheissues; 9 ElectedofficialsinplaceslikeDorchesterCountyarereallyscaredofthisissueand it'snotjustforkindofpartisanpoliticalreasons,butit'sbecause,Ithinkwhenthey signuptobeontheCountyCouncilforsomeonelikeDorchester,they’rethinking aboutfirestationsandschools...They'renotthinkingaboutbeinggroundzero foroneofthebiggestenvironmentalproblemsofthecentury.Andwhenthey seethatit'slike,Imean,Ican’tblamethem,theyjustputtheirhandsovertheir eyesandsay,Idon'tthinkI’mreadyforthis.…they'vebeenveryreluctanttoreally embraceit.Ithinkforthisreason,ofbeingoverwhelmedbythescaleofitandnot reallyknowingwhattodo. thepotentiallyfraughtnatureofsomeofthesepublicconversationsduetosome ofthetensionsbetweendifferentgroupsinthecommunities; OnerespondentcommentedthatwhilePickeringCreekservedasalinktothe localcommunityforU.S.Fish&WildlifeService,theywerealsosensitivetothe diversityoflocalaudiencesandcarefulnottodisruptthoserelationships. thepossibilityforcommunityresistancetochangesinlandusebroughtuponby themigrationofthesaltmarshes; …wehaven’tyetdevelopedthekindofrelationshipwithlocalpeopleintermsof sealevelrisestrategy.…Soyouknow,foralotofpeopleitmightlooklikesome kindoflandgrabgoingon.And,becausethesekindofconservationprojectsgo onanywayandit'sjustacaseoftryingtokindofredirectthemintotheseareas,it hasn’tbeenasuperhighprioritytoinformthepublicofthisparticulardamageof whatwe’redoing.…Youknow,wedefinitelykindoffearalittlebitofabacklash, thatwithouttherightkindofprimingandeducationandoutreach,reactioncould benegative. Audubon’sframingoftheissueasoneofclimatechangeandhabitat conservationversuscommunityresilienceandadaptation; Auduboncan’tbetwo‐faced.Youknow,wecan’tcomeinandsayyeah,wereally careaboutroadsfloodingandwearenotinterestedinclimatechange. theneedtorecognizewhenotherorganizationsmightserveasmoreeffective messengers. ItmaybethatAudubonisn’ttherightpeopletobeinterfacingdirectlywith thosecommunities….Anditmightbethatit'sactuallyalocallandtrustoryou know,somegroupthat'smorefirmlyembeddedinthelocalscenethatthat promotesthekindofactionsthatareneeded,youknow. 10 Inthelastfewyears,PickeringCreekhasbeguntotransitionfromprovidingtraditional environmentaleducationprogramstoexploringabroaderroleinthelocalcommunitywith audiencesthathaveuntilnowplayedalimitedroleinhabitatconservation.PickeringCreek issupportedbythestakeholdersinterviewedforthisstudyindoingso,butthereisalso recognitionofcomplexnatureofthechallenge.ThetraditionalaudiencesfortheSaltMarsh Storiesprogram—universitiesandAudubongroups—seeclearbenefitstotheir participation,butinmanycaseshavelittletonoconnectionwiththeimmediate communityaroundBlackwaterNationalWildlifeRefugethatisnowoneoftheprogram’s mostimportanttargetaudiences.Newprogramaudiences—localbusinessandfaith groups—arenotwellrepresentedinthisstudy,butthoseindividualswhowere intervieweddemonstratedinterestandsupportforPickeringCreek’sprograms,buthad lessfamiliaritywiththemandwerelessabletodrawconnectionsbetweentheprogram andtheorganizationswithwhichtheywereaffiliated.Oneintervieweenotedthat encouragementofemployeevolunteerismwaslimitedamongDorchesterbusinesses,and followedtheeconomy. Wedohaveacoupleoforganizations,thelargeronesthataregoodaboutlettingtheir employeesvolunteerandtryingtogettheiremployeestovolunteer.Someofthemused tobebetter.Andthenwhenemployees,theyhadtodosomecutbacks,and employeeshadmorethings,theemployeesstoppedbeingquiteasinvolved. Opportunities for community engagement—and challenges IntervieweespointedtoanumberofprospectsforbroadeningengagementinDorchester andTalbotcommunities,andsomechallenges.Otherorganizationshavealreadyexplored modelsforconductingwetlandsadaptationwithincommunitiesthatcouldbeinstructivein preservingBlackwater’ssaltmarshes.SkipStyles’WetlandsWatchinVirginiahasuseda communityofadaptationpracticemodeltobringgroupstogetherandincreasetheir combinedeffectiveness;U.S.Fish&WildlifeServicehasworkedwithSmithIslandto stabilizetheshorelineofMartinNationalWildlifeRefuge;andtheDealIslandMarsh& CommunityProjecthasbeenunderwaysince2013withleadershipfromtheUniversityof MarylandandtheChesapeakeBayNationalEstuarineResearchReserve.Generally respondentssuggestedincreasingprogramsthatappealto,andareeasilyattendedby, adults,suchasschedulingmoresessionsonweekendsandinpopulatedareasofthe counties.Othersuggestionsincludedwideningthetopicstoincludeavarietyof environmentalissues,suchasrenewableenergy. Communicationreachwasbroughtupbyafewintervieweeswhosuggestedusingavailable mediawithsufficientfrequencytoincreasetheawarenessofpeoplewithPickeringCreek’s programssuchasinTheWashingtonPost,TheStarDemocrat,andnumberofmonthly publicationsinadditiontotheemaillistservsofpartnerorganizations.IfPickeringCreek 11 hasn’talreadyfoundasubstantialbaseofvolunteersandfinancialsupportfromamongthe retireecommunityinTalbotCounty,oneorganizationalleadersuggestedaconcertedeffort torecruitthoseindividualsduetotheirtime,talent,andresources.Whilerespondents recognizedthedifficultyingettingpeopletogivetheirtimetociviccausesandassume localleadershiproles,atleastonepersonsaidtheythoughtthatthosewhowantedto participatecould:“Whetherit’sbecausetheywanttobecomeCommissionerortheywant tobemoreactiveontheschoolboardortheywanttovolunteer,Idon’tknowanybodywho hasnotbeenabletoifthey'vereallysetthemselvesto….Now,asfaraspeoplerecognizing thatopportunitiesexist,thatmightbeadifficultyfactor.” Theotherfactorsmentionedwerethewidepoliticizationofenvironmentalissuesandthe scaleoftheproblemwhichrendersanyoneindividual’sactionsseeminglyinsignificant. Ithinkit'stheissue.Ithinkit'sthefactthat,um,unfortunately,especiallyclimate change,butenvironmentalissuesingeneralhavebecomepoliticized.Theykindof wentoffthetracksdecadesagoandwenevergotbacktotalkingaboutthem scientifically.Ithinkthatalotoftheenvironmentalproblemsaresobiganddiffused thatyouendupfeelinghelpless.Youcan’tdoanythingaboutit.Likeasateacher,it’s alwaysachallengetofindsomethingyoucandoaboutglobalwarming,youknow. AnumberofcollaborationsinMarylandandacrossotherstates,includingsomeinwhich Audubonisapartner,arealreadyconductingcommunityoutreachtoprotectmarshesfrom theeffectsofsea‐levelrise.Someaspectsofthesemodelsmaybesuitableforuseby PickeringCreek—suchasacommunityofadaptationpractice—whileothersmayoffer lessonsthatareinstructive.Allsuccessfulcommunicationeffortsdependonsufficient messagereachandfrequency.IfPickeringCreekhasnotfullyutilizedavailablemediaand volunteeropportunitiesintheregion,itmaybehooveittoexplorethosemorethoroughly astheprogramdevelops. Influential people and organizations Duringthecourseoftheinterviews,alistof36individualsandorganizationswas generatedbasedonrespondentsperceptionsofthosepeoplewhowerehighlyconnected and/orwereinleadershippositionsthatwouldmakethempotentiallyhelpfulpartnersin affectingchangesinthecommunityonbehalfofsaltmarshconservation(seeAppendixA forthecompletelist).Thelistrangesfromlocalgovernmentleaderstofarmersandfaith leaders.Whenintervieweeswereaskedwhowouldhavetobeinvolvedtocreatechange, localpolicymakers,suchasthemayorofCambridge,wereoftenatthetopofthelist,evenif specificnameswerenotalwaysmentioned. 12 Communication and attitudes about the salt marshes, sea‐level rise and climate change Intervieweesperceptionswerethatclimatechangedenialismishigherinthecommunities aroundBlackwaterNationalWildlifeRefuge,andtheEasternShoregenerally,butthat thoseresidentswithconnectionstothenaturalresources—people’swhoselivelihoods dependedonthelandandwater—wereveryawareofchangestothesaltmarshesandsea levels. Ithinkmostpeoplearoundhereareskeptical.Youhavethosethataresure,thosethat are,youknow,onewayortheother.Ithinkpeoplearestartingtobelieveit'sprobably true.…Ithinkpeoplearemoreapttobelievethatsealevelriseinthisareathan climatechange.Andthat'sabigthing.Waterqualityissuesarebig,huge conversationhere. Thesameintervieweesaidthatthewaterisaconstantcommunitydiscussiontopic,butnot thesaltmarshes.Othersalludedtothepublicrelationsproblemthatwetlands—aka swamps—stillhavewiththegeneralpublic:theirperceptionas“mucky,mosquito‐ infected”areas.Respondentssaidtheybelievedthateffectsofchangesonthewater— floodingandsea‐levelrise—weremorelikelytobediscussedthanclimatechangeorthe marshes. Thewaterquality,thewatersareeverydayconversation.Thehealthof thewater,thevibrancyofthewater,theboatsbeingabletoworkthe water.Butyeahthat'saneverydayconversation.Butnotmarshinparticular. Marshescomeupwhenwe’retalkingaboutBlackwaterorPickeringCreekbut, youknow,butmarshesarenotapartoftheeverydayconversation. Ithinkthatinthosereallysmallcommunitiesit'saprettybigtopicof discussionintermsofflooding.Idon'tthinktheytalkaboutclimatechange.I don'tthinktheyevencallitsealevelrise.Ithinktheycallitfloodingand…I thinkthereallynoticethatwithsuccessivestormsthefloodwaterscome higher.Andthatlawnsareconvertingtomarshgrasses,eventhoughtheystill mowthem. Theyweretalkingabouttheerosionandthisotheroldwatermansaid,yeah, “It'sallbecauseofthesealevelrise,youknow,aslowasthetidesarenow, they'rehigherthanthey'veeverbeen…”Andtheseguysaresomeofthemost politicallyconservativeguysaround. Itshouldbenotedthatnoneoftherespondentswerewatermen,orfarmers,whoare economicallytiedtothehealthoftheresources;oneoftheintervieweeslivedinanarea adjacenttothemarshes,hadexperiencedthedirecteffectsoftheirmigration,andwas involvedincommunitydecision‐makingtoaddresstheproblemsitwascausingfortheir 13 homesandwayoflife.Herfocuswasonhercommunity’sprotection—whatwouldpeople needtodotokeepthemarshesandwateratbay?Thismaysuggestfuturedifferences betweenaudiencesintheframingofsaltmarshmigrationbythosewithinterestsinhabitat protectionandthosewithinterestsincommunityprotectionfromflooding. Communicationabouttheeffectsofsea‐levelriseonsaltmarsheswiththelocalcommunity isinitsearlystages,notedacouplerespondents,butthatthewindowofopportunitywas relativelysmallandcomplicatedbypoliticalpolarizationoverclimatechange. Soitseemsthatinthenext15years,upuntilabout2030,we'renotgoingtoseeany majorchanges,butpeopleseemtoagreethataroundthe2040siswhenwe're goingtostarttoseecatastrophicmarshloss.Thisisverylikelyalonglinear processwheremajorstormsjustwipeoutincreasinglylargeareasofmarshand adjacentforests.AndIthinkthatwe'regoingtoseebig,biglossesbythen.I'msure we'llgetsomeprettymajorstormsinthosefirst15years,andeachtimewegetoneof thosewe'llfindpeoplemorewillingtolistenthatthere'saneedtoact. Furthermore,theserespondentsvoicedconcernthatlocalcommunities,especially individuallandowners,would“maladapt”bytryingtoprotectpropertyfromrisingwaters insteadofallowingatransitiontooccurfromdrylandtowetlands. Andwhataretheprivateownersgoingtodo?Maybethatfirstthingtheygoingto wanttodoistoripraptheedgesofthatproperty.Ifthey'rerichenough,theymighttry anddothiswithevenafairlyundevelopedpropertytoprotecttheirtreesandthings likethisandthat'sbad.That'smaladaptation.Wedon'twantthemtodothat. Yettheurgeforpeopletoprotecttheirhomesandpropertyisanaturalone.Oneofthe respondentsnotedthisandcitedtheexampleofSmithIsland. WithSmithIsland,theywereofferedabuyoutbythefederalgovernmentacoupleof yearsagoandallthisstuff,anpeoplegotallbentoutofshape.Becausetheysaid, “LookthepeopleinAnnapolisandDCaretheoneswhoareupsetaboutthisclimate changestuff.”Theysaid,“We'vebeenfloodedforcenturies,”andtheysaid,“Wecan handleit.Thestormwashesovertheislandandwefixwhateverisruinedandthen we’rereadyforthenextstorm,whereaswithyouguysitwashesupintoyourcitiesand itruinsthingsandeverybodygetsbentoutofshape.”Theyjustsaiditwasinstancesof flooding.Itwasn’tsealevelrise.Itwaskindofaverycarefullyconstructedviewofthe world,butitkindofmakessensebecausewe'reaskingthemtoleave.We'reasking themtoleavetheirhundredsofyearsofculture. Climatechange,andevensea‐levelrise,likelyremaindifficulttopicsofconversationin manyofthecommunitiesaroundBlackwaterNationalWildlifeRefuge,particularlybecause 14 theconsequences—whethertheenvironmentalchangesorthethreatofgovernment intervention—appeardire.Climatechangeandthelossofthesaltmarshesaresaidtobe uncommonsubjectsforpublicdiscussion,eventhoughintervieweesreportthatlocal governmentsandprivatepropertyownerswillhavetobeginmakingdecisionssoonabout theirresponsestothesethreats.Theideathatthesaltmarshessupportawiderecosystem witheconomicandculturalvalue—particularlyfishstocks—isonethatmaybeunfamiliar tomanyinthecommunity. Conclusion Whileadmittedlyaverysmallsample,thecommentsofthetworespondentsfrom PickeringCreek’sbusinessandfaithcommunityaudienceswerequalitativelydifferent fromtheotherintervieweesinthattheirfocuswasnotprimarilyenvironmental.They discussedtheenvironmentalcontextinrelationtoissuesofimportancetothecommunity, asopposedtothecommunitycontextinrelationtohabitatprotection.Thissuggestssome ofthecommunicationchallengesforcommunityengagementonthisissuemayhavenot beenrealizedtodatewithintheSaltMarshStoriesprogram.PickeringCreek’straditional audiences—Audubonchaptermembersanduniversitystudentswhomayliveanhouror moreawayfromBlackwater—haveless“skininthegame”inregardstotheeffectsofthe migrationofthesaltmarshesonthecommunitiessurroundingBlackwaterthantheir neweraudiencesinTalbotandDorchestercountiesthataretheirincreasingfocus. Intervieweesrecognizedtheimportanceofdevelopingacommunicationapproachthat informslocaldecision‐making,butalsopossibilityforconflictwiththelocalcommunity. TherewasbroadsupportforPickeringCreektakinganactiveroleinfacilitatingcommunity conversationswithleadersofconservationeffortsunderwayatBlackwaterNational WildlifeRefuge,buttherewasalevelofuncertaintyaboutthedegreetowhichPickering Creekwouldwanttoenterthepoliticalfray,atthecostofalienatingsomeaudiences,orbe abletoserveasacompletelyneutralpartyonthesubjectof(human)community adaptation. ThestakeholdersinterviewedforthisstudyrecognizedtheenormousvalueofPickering Creek’senvironmentaleducationprogramstothelocalandextendedcommunitiesofthe EasternShoreandAudubon.Furthermore,theysupportedincreasedadultprogramming thatheightenstheawarenessoftheimmediatecommunityofthevalueofitswealthof naturalresourcesandthechangesthattheyareexperiencing.Betweenenvironmental education,communityfacilitation,andpolicyadvocacy,therearealargearrayofoutreach andengagementstrategiesandoptionsfromwhichPickeringCreekcanchoosein advancingitsgoalsforwiderlocalengagementandasaltmarshforum.Makingthose decisionsstrategically,inrecognitionofsomeofthepossiblechallengesmentionedinthis report,willlikelybeimportantforthesuccessofitsefforts. 15 Recommendations Developamulti‐yearcommunicationplanthatdetailstherolethatPickeringCreek choosestotakeinthecommunityanditsimplementation—whetheritistocontinue largelyprovidingenvironmentaleducation,orwhetheritistopresentinformation toinformlocaldecision‐makingaboutpolicies. Considerthefullarrayofpossiblyinfluentialaudiencesinlocalcommunities, especiallycivicleaders,andwhatcontributionstheymightmaketothewider discourse. Evaluatewhethertherearedifferencesintheneedsandperspectivesofthenew targetaudiencestothesaltmarshes,andhowthosemightbeaddressedin recruitment,presentationcontent,andexperientialevents.Thisstudy,whilevery preliminary,wouldsuggestthatenvironmentally‐focusedapproachesonthesalt marshmaybelesseffectivethanthosethatleadwithacommunityfocus,especially onethatrecognizeshistory,relationsbetweensocialgroups,culturalvalues,and economicconditions. ThehistoryofAfricanAmericansintheregionisrichandwell‐supportedbyarea organizations.Nevertheless,intervieweesindicatedracialdividesremaininthe community.Considerpartneringwithorganizations,suchastheHarrietTubman MuseumandEducationalCenterortheHarrietTubmanOrganization,thatrecognize thatheritageanditsconnectionwiththemarshes.Alsoconsiderwhetherthe interestsoftheAfricanAmericanchurcheswithinthe“faithcommunityaudience” haveuniqueinterests,socialnetworks,andneedsthatmightrequireasimilarly distinctapproachfromotherfaithorganizations. 16 Appendix A Connected community members; important partner organizations and individuals VictoriaStanleyJackson,Mayor,Cambridge WayneBell,MarylandOrnithologicalSociety Rev.KeithCornish JoanHarrisBrooks,NewRevivedUnitedMethodistChurch Rev.JeromeTilghman NAACP DonaldPindr,President,HarrietTubmanOrganization KatePatton,ExecutiveDirector,LowerShoreLandTrust MarylandDept.ofNaturalResources U.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineers,BaltimoreOffice BlackwaterNationalWildlifeRefuge,ManagerSuzanneBaird,SupervisoryBiologist MattWhitbeck EastonCouncilPresidentJohnFord EastonCouncilmanPeteLesher TalbotCountyManagerAndyHollis JohnValliant,President,GrayceB.KerrFund BryanRoche,BayCountryCommunications SarahAbel,EasternShoreLandConservancy JeffHubbert,LaneEngineering(formerpresidentofRotary) AlanNelson,retired,formerlywithDorchesterChamberofCommerce JenniferLayton,boardmember,DorchesterChamberofCommerce JohnSwainIII,4thgenerationfarmer BalvinBrinsfield,farmernorthofVienna TimothyJones,VicePresident,AdministrativeServices,ChesapeakeCollege StuartBounds,formerpresident,ChesapeakeCollege NanticokeWatershedAlliance AssateagueCoastalTrust CambridgeDowntownMerchantsAssociation NatureConservancy ChesapeakeBayConservancy UniversityofMarylandCenterforEnvironmentalSciences,HornePoint GregFarley,EnvironmentalScience,ChesapeakeCommunityCollege MikeLewis,Chair,Dept.ofEnvironmentalStudies,SalisburyUniversity TomHorton,author DaveHarp,photographer 17 KerrySamos,educationcoordinatorforMarylandCoastalBays JimRapp,managerfortheHazelOutdoorDiscoveryCenter(wasontheboardofthe AssateagueCoastalTrust) Appendix B PickeringCreekInterviewswithCommunityMembers|InterviewScript Introduction:Hi,I’mKarenAkerlof.Thankyouforagreeingtothisinterview.Asyouknow,IworkatGeorge MasonUniversityandamassistingPickeringCreekAudubonCenterwiththisresearchstudy.Iamtalkingto peopleintheregion,andconductingsurveyswithlocalorganizations,tobetterunderstandthelocal communityanditsrelationshiptothearea’snaturalresources,andtofindouthowPickeringCreekAudubon Center’sworkaffectsthiscommunity. Thisisinformationaboutthestudy[showconsentform].Pleasetakeaminutetoreadit.Thereisalso informationontheformabouttheaudio‐tapingofthisinterview.Ifyouagreetobeaudio‐taped,pleasecheck thatboxaswell.Iexpectthattheinterviewwilltakebetween45minutesandanhour.Pleasenote,too,that thisinterviewisconfidential.Wewillnotuseyournameinreportingonthisstudy,thoughwemayidentify whichsector–faith,highereducation,businessorAudubon–thatyouarefrom. (Followupquestion:Canyoutellmemoreaboutthat?) Let’sgetstarted… 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Canyoutellmeabitaboutyourself? a. Howlonghaveyoulivedinthisarea? b. Wheredoyouwork? Howwouldyoudescribethecommunityof[communityname]? a. Howwouldyoudescribetheplace? b. Howwouldyoudescribethepeople? c. Ifyouhadtosummarize[communityname]inonesentence,whatwouldbemostimportant formetoknow? Sometimescertainpeopleinacommunityhavealotofconnections,andknoweveryoneand everythingthatisgoingon.Whoin[communityname]wouldyousayfitsthatrole? a. Wheredotheywork? b. Whatistheirtitle? Ifyouwantedtogetsomethingdonein[communityname],likewinvotestobecomeelectedasalocal leader,aretherecertainorganizationsandpeoplethatyouwoulddefinitelyneedtohaveonyour side? a. Whoarethosepeople? b. Ororganizations? Howinvolvedareyouinthecommunityintermsofyourparticipationwithlocalorganizationsand government? a. Canyoutellmeaboutthoseactivities? b. Doyouthinkyouaremorecivicallyengaged–orless–thanmostpeopleinthiscommunity? c. Whatmakesithardtobecivicallyengaged? 18 d. Isthereanythingthatcouldbedonetomakeiteasier? WhatcanyoutellmeaboutPickeringCreekAudubonCenter? a. HaveyouparticipatedinCenteractivities? i. Ifnot,whynot b. Whichactivitieshaveyouparticipatedin? c. Whichactivitieshavebeenyourmostfavorite?Canyoutellmewhy? 7. WhatroledoesPickeringCreekserveinthecommunity? a. Whatdoesitdoreallywell? b. Arethereotherwaysthatitcouldcontributetothecommunitythatitdoesn’tcurrently? 8. Whataspectsofnaturedoyounoticethemostinthisregion? a. Which–ifany–aremostmeaningfulforyou? b. Inwhatwayaretheymeaningfultoyou? c. Wouldyousaythattheseaspectshavestayedthesameovertime,orchanged? 9. Whatcanyoutellmeaboutthesaltmarshesinthisregion? a. Howoftenhaveyouvisitedthem? b. Canyoutellmeaboutyourmostrecentvisit? c. Howdothesaltmarshesrelatetothepeopleinthisarea,ifatall? d. Dopeoplein[communityname]evertalkaboutthesaltmarshes? i. Whatdotheytalkabout? 10. Dopeoplein[communityname]talkaboutsea‐levelrise? a. Whatdoyouhearpeoplesaymostfrequently? b. Doyouagree,ordisagree? c. Dopeoplecallitsea‐levelrise?Ordotheycallitsomethingelse? d. IsSLRarelevantissuefor[communityname]? e. IfSLRisarelevantissuefor[communityname],whatcouldpeopledoaboutit? i. Ofthosethings,whichwouldbemostimportant? ii. Whatwouldthecommunityneedtodotomakethathappen? f. AreyoucurrentlytakinganyactionspersonallybecauseofSLR? 11. Dopeoplein[communityname]evertalkaboutclimatechange? a. Whatdoyouhearpeoplesaymostfrequently? b. Doyouagree,ordisagree? c. Dopeoplecallitclimatechange?Ordotheycallitsomethingelse? d. Isclimatechangearelevantissuefor[communityname]? e. Ifclimatechangeisarelevantissuefor[communityname],whatcouldpeopledoaboutit? i. Ofthosethings,whichwouldbemostimportant? ii. Whatwouldthecommunityneedtodotomakethathappen? f. Areyoucurrentlytakinganyactionspersonallybecauseofclimatechange? 12. Thatwasmylastquestion‐‐thankyouforyourtimetoday.Doyouhaveanyquestionsforme? 6. Iwillbetranscribingtheseinterviews[ifconsentwasprovided]andwritingasummaryofthefindingsfor PickeringCreekAudubonCenter.Iamhappytosharethosefindingswithyouifyouareinterested.[Fillin cardwithcontactinformationifwouldlikeacopyofthereport.]Thankyouforspeakingwithmetoday. 19 20
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