Community-based planning and action is essential to help Maryland’s coastal communities prepare for and adapt to climate change. However, every community is different, both in terms of the actions needed to adapt to climate change and their capacity to plan and implement those actions.

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Following the first-ever Maryland Coastal Adaptation Report Card in 2021, IAN is collaborating with Charles County to develop a county-level assessment of coastal adaptation. Through increased funding, planning, regulation, and restoration, Maryland has become a leader in coastal and climate adaptation. There is, however, a need to clarify adaptation goals to measure progress and hold the state accountable.

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Through increased funding, planning, regulation, and restoration, Maryland has become a leader in coastal and climate adaptation. There is, however, a need to clarify adaptation goals to measure progress and hold the state accountable.

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The Statewide Ecosystem Assessment of Coastal and Aquatic Resources (SEACAR) is a collaborative process which involves local, state, and federal natural resource managers, data providers, researchers, and partners to identify and assess ecological indicators and to create a comprehensive assessment of the statuses and trends of the Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection's submerged coastal resources.

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In partner with Maryland Department of Natural Resources, UMCES is sponsoring the World Seagrass Conference & International Seagrass Biology Workshop to be held in Annapolis, Maryland, 7–12 August 2022. The theme of WSC 2020 and ISBW 14, “Signs of Success: Reversing the Course of Seagrass Degradation," is inspired by recent successes in the conservation, resurgence, and restoration of seagrasses. The Chesapeake Bay, the location of this year's meeting, is a perfect example of such success.

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UMCES Integration and Application Network has been working with the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM) since 2012 to develop science-based solutions for coastal communities. This project is a collaborative effort of NCSCM, UMCES, and the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change to develop an ecosystem health report card for Bhitarkanika Conservation Area in Odisha, India.

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The Heartland Conservation Alliance proactively conserves, protects, and restores natural lands and open space within the Kansas City region, benefitting the community and future generations by improving water quality, creating recreational opportunities, protecting life and property, and preserving natural and cultural heritage. The Blue River is located in Greater Kansas City.

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UMCES received accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. As part of the accreditation process, UMCES needs to assess and communicate its goals better. The Institutional Assessment evaluates how successful UMCES is at meeting its goals of scientific research, public service, and education. We will do this by working through the 5-step report card process and producing a report card-like assessment for public consumption.

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Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) scientists and managers rely on data collected by volunteers to study SAV and assess conservation and restoration needs. Although various citizen science initiatives currently survey SAV in the Chesapeake Bay, no standardized data collection protocol exists to ensure that all of these initiatives use the same methodology or collect the same data.

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Ecosystem based management (EBM) is a holistic and adaptive approach to developing effective policies for ensuring ecosystem sustainability, food and water security, and improved human health outcomes for future generations. Informed by science, it incorporates the entire ecosystem, including humans, into resource management decisions. Importantly, EBM explicitly considers tradeoffs in resource uses while protecting and sustaining diverse and productive ecosystems and the services they provide.

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