2019 Annual WASLA Conference

Greater Tacoma Convention Center, March 22, 2019

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Designing for Rising Seas

Session Presentation - Washington's Shores

Session Presentation - Kayak Point Regional Park

Session Presentation - Ruston Way

Description:

Sea levels are rising, challenging our approaches to sustainable coastal design and planning. Increasingly, jurisdictions are requiring consideration of sea level rise in shoreline project design, with limited guidance on what data or methods to incorporate. Led by Washington Sea Grant, a NOAA funded collaboration (www.wacoastalnetwork.com) produced localized sea level projections for Washington State's 3000+ mile coastline, working with various end users to ensure usability and effective guidance.Through case studies and a panel discussion, this session will share the collaborative's 2018 Washington State Sea Level Rise Projections, tools for designers engaging with coastal hazards, and lessons learned from public landscape architecture projects incorporating sea level rise projections.

Speaker Bios:

Jackson Blalock, Environmental Outreach Specialist, Washington Sea Grant

Jackson Blalock works toward coastal resilience through collaborative projects, systems analysis, and process-based environmental education. He currently focuses on coastal hazards adaptation across Washington's shorelines and ecosystem-based management in Willapa Bay. His degrees in architecture (Clemson) and landscape architecture (University of Washington) build off of years assisting grassroots rebuilding and water management efforts in Louisiana.

Nicole Faghin, Coastal Management Specialist, Washington Sea Grant

Nicole Faghin is a Coastal Management Specialist with Washington Sea Grant based at the University of Washington in Seattle. Nicole's education, outreach and research focuses on social, economic and environmental shoreline planning efforts with a focus on coastal resilience where she manages part of regional coastal resilience project using Tacoma, Island County and King County as pilot communities. Nicole holds a Masters in City Planning from MIT and a law degree from Northeastern University.
Clayton Beaudoin, Principal, Site Workshop
Clayton Beaudoin is a landscape architect and partner for the Seattle-based design firm, Site Workshop. He is currently involved in the design, documentation and construction of five of Tacoma’s popular waterfront parks – Owen Beach, Titlow Park, Waterfront and Central Parks on the Foss Waterway, and the Dune Peninsula at Point Defiance.
Christian Runge, Senior Associate, Mithun
Christian is passionate about designing at the intersection of nature, culture and human health. He has worked on resilient design, equity and health-driven projects, including the Sun Valley EcoDistrict Master Plan and Healthy Living Initiative for the Denver Housing Authority and current projects Ruston Way Vision Plan for Metro Parks Tacoma and the Louisiana Children’s Museum at City Park in New Orleans, which is slated to open this summer.
Jim Brennan, Principal, J.A. Brennan & Associates

Jim Brennan (landscape architect), as principal of J.A. Brennan Associates, located in Seattle, is responsible for a diverse range of
landscape architectural design and planning projects ranging from site selection and master planning to design development, construction documents, and construction observation. Jim has a depth of experience in planning and design of shoreline parks, transportation projects, marine and recreation design, urban design, and institutional projects.

Jim specializes in the design of waterfront projects in sensitive environments.  Many projects involve ecological design for fish and wildlife species while integrating public access and waterfront recreation.  Many of Jim’s current projects address the effects of sea level rise including short and long-term impacts. Examples of this work with sea level rise strategies include Kayak Point Regional Park in Snohomish County, West Bay Park in Olympia, and the Mukilteo Downtown Waterfront Master Plan.

Learning Objectives:

  • Recognize and understand components of sea level rise
  • Learn about the 2018 Washington State sea level rise projections and coastal hazards-related tools
  • Understand considerations when selecting appropriate sea level rise projections
  • Explore applications of sea level rise projections in planning and project design