Community Resilience Resources

What Resilience Means to Us

There is a range of reactions when faced with changing environmental conditions.

Some people don’t believe change will happen. Some people believe change will happen, but don’t want to talk about it. Some people believe change is a problem for the future. Others believe change is a real problem that requires action today. And some people feel the challenge is so overwhelming that nothing we do will be enough.

We hear you.

At the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays, we value the watershed as it is now. We also see changes happening around us, pay attention to scientific reports and projections, and care deeply about the future of our estuary and communities.

We believe in doing what we can to ensure the best water quality, the healthiest habitats, the strongest economy, and the highest quality of life for as long as possible.

Listening to Our Community

From 2023 to 2025, we actively listened to our community. We wanted to understand your concerns and how the Inland Bays watershed aligns with future coastal resilience needs. More than 250 residents responded and shared their thoughts.

You told us you’d like more information about coastal resilience. You’d like to see a more resilient community. And most importantly, you care about the future of the Inland Bays.

What We Can Do About It

We are a research, education, and community-based nonprofit organization that also implements nature-based solutions.

We can do a lot to shape how our watershed functions over the next 20 to 50 years.

We can:

Share the tools and knowledge we currently have
Test new techniques and practices
Study what works and what doesn’t
Make recommendations based on science and local experience
Help identify where solutions can have the greatest impact
Protect environmental health while preserving the beauty of our watershed

Building resilience doesn’t happen through a single project. It happens through continuous learning, collaboration, and action.

Developing a Shared Value System

The most effective changemakers build around shared values.

While people may have different perspectives on future challenges, there are many things we agree are worth protecting.

In the Inland Bays watershed, we value:

Clean water
Cool Temperatures
Our fertile soils
A thriving economy

We are a reflection of our community. By working together to protect, preserve, restore, and educate around these shared values, we can create a more resilient coast.

Working Through Risk and Uncertainty

Current predictions are based on the best available science and information. As new research becomes available, our understanding improves.

Coastal resilience planning is about making informed decisions using the best available science while recognizing that conditions may change over time.

There are risks associated with doing nothing, but there are also risks associated with choosing solutions that may not perform exactly as expected. Building resilience requires learning, adapting, and improving over time.

Explore Community Concerns

The topics below reflect concerns raised by members of our watershed community.

By selecting a topic, you can access resources that can help you learn more about the issue, why it matters to the Inland Bays watershed, and what actions can help build resilience in your neighborhood, community, or organization.

What Did We Miss?

Coastal resilience is an ongoing conversation.

Do you have a question, concern, or idea that isn’t represented? We want to hear from you.

Please email mnoefellows@inlandbays.org