American Shore & Beach Preservation Association
Preservation Through Conservation
24
Aug
2019

Summer Update from ASBPA

Attn:  ASBPA Members and Friends

From Derek Brockbank, Executive Directors of the American Shore & Beach Preservation Association

I hope you are enjoying a fun summer, filled with beach-going and coastal activities.  American Shore & Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA) has had a terrific year so far and we’re looking forward to the fall, with another fantastic National Coastal Conference in the works for October 22-25th in Myrtle Beach, SC.  Here are few of things we’ve been busy doing:

  1. Science & Policy.  ASBPA’s mission is to merge science and policy to protect, restore and enhance our coasts. In 2019, we’ve achieved this through (among other things) a complete update of our Engineered Beach Database and coordinating the US Coastal Research Program’s distribution of $5 million for critical coastal research – both of which provide decision-makers with data and research essential to making science-based decisions. We’ve also testified in a House Committee and presented at multiple Capitol Hill briefings on issues of coastal Natural Infrastructure (such as beaches, dunes and wetlands), beneficial use of dredge material, and improving coastal resilience in the Coastal Barrier Resources Act (CBRA) to advance good policy based on coastal science.
  2. Highlighting successful beach and shore restoration. We awarded 4 beaches – from FL, TX, LA, and WA – a 2019 Best Restored Beach Award. These projects range from a 1.5 acre urban beach to 1060 acres on a uninhabited barrier island, demonstrating the tremendous and diverse values of beach and dune systems, and the importance of maintaining them. We will also shortly be awarding 4 shoreline restoration projects with our inaugural Best Restored Shore Award. This award recognizes success in maintaining non-beach coastal systems to support community protection, ecological, recreation and economic values. These projects will be announced during National Estuaries Week in September.
  3. Our National Coastal Conference. I say this every year, but I’m really excited about our upcoming conference. “Where Coasts and Rivers Meet”, #ASBPA2019, will be in Myrtle Beach, SC on Oct. 22-25, and we’re embracing the theme and have a full track of presentations on flooding and coastal flood management, looking at the intersection of sea level rise, storm surge and rain events to see how beach and coastal communities can build resilience to future weather and climate. This is in addition to our standard topics of beaches, coastal structures, RSM, wetlands & wildlife, and living shorelines. In total we’ll have over 200 presentations and posters, some great keynote speakers (from USACE, NOAA and more), a plenary panel that looks at what lessons (good and bad) the country can take from coastal management in the Carolinas.  But the Conference is still in development and we hope YOU can participate:
    1. Poster abstract deadline is September 6th for Students and Professionals – submit an abstract for a poster!
    2. Student awards applications are also due September 6th – apply for our Student Scholar (science), Advocate (policy), or Education (research) award.
    3. Early Registration Deadline is Sept 28th.  Sponsor or Register to attend the Conference!

Finally, check out monthly(ish) podcast, The Capitol Beach, and if your photographically inclined, submit a coastal photo to for our photo contest (due Sept 13) and you could see your work on the cover of Shore & Beach!

Let me know if you have questions, and hope to see you in Myrtle Beach this fall!

Derek

Derek Brockbank
Executive Director,
American Shore and Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA)

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