Healthy coastal lands means less risk to coastal communities
Sometimes, the quickest way to understand federal coastal policy is to follow the flow of funds from DC to communities along the American shoreline. On this episode of the Capitol Beach, Derek Brockbank welcomes Erika Feller, Director of Marine and Coastal Conservation at the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Together, they explore the National Coastal Resilience Fund, a critical new program established in 2018 to fund conservation projects that restore natural features such as coastal marshes and wetlands, dune and beach systems, oyster and coral reefs, forests, coastal rivers and barrier islands. A healthier coastal environment, so goes the thinking, can help minimize the impacts of storms and other events on coastal communities. For coastal communities facing increasing storm risks -- and that's about all of them -- this program can be a tremendous asset. Get the inside skinny from Erika Feller, the professional at the top of the program. Only on the Capitol Beach Podcast and only on ASPN!
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Derek BrockbankDerek Brockbank is Executive Director of Coastal States Organization (CSO), which represents the nation’s Coastal States, Territories, and Commonwealths on ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes issues. With two decades of experience in Washington DC on coastal adaptation policy and organizational development, Derek is connecting state coastal management programs with federal agencies and resources in order to address the greatest coastal challenges facing society. He previously served as executive director for the American Shore & Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA) where he led the strategic planning and outreach, government affairs, and development goals of the nation’s leading organization advocating for beach and coastal restoration. Prior to starting with ASBPA, Derek worked as campaign director for a coalition effort to restore the Mississippi River Delta and Coastal Louisiana, and was part of a gulf-wide campaign to pass the RESTORE Act, securing billions of dollars for Gulf Coast restoration. This followed up on his work with National Wildlife Federation on climate adaption. Derek grew up in New York City and got his coastal education from an early age playing on the beaches of Long Island, and kayaking and fishing in Peconic Bay.
