Center for Coastal Resources Management (CCRM)

10/12/2026

Marshes, Storm Risk, and Coastal Resilience in Virginia:

As part of a new three-year Virginia Coastal Zone Management (CZM) funded study, researchers at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) are inviting residents of the City of Hampton to participate in a survey about coastal flooding, erosion, and adaptation. We want to learn about residents’ experiences with coastal hazards, flood and erosion risk perceptions, and the factors that influence decisions to protect homes and properties. Survey responses will contribute to a broader study on coastal risk and adaptation and will help researchers develop tools to support future coastal resilience planning. Study participants may enter a drawing for a $100 gift card and/or opt-in to receive future flood risk information about their property and community.

Survey link: https://cmap22.vims.edu/hamptonsurvey

10/07/2026

⚙️ Yesterday, the Center for Coastal Resources Management team participated in the Living Shoreline Collaborative Annual Summit held at the Jamestown 4-H Educational Center in Williamsburg. The summit was a great opportunity to get together and showcase tools such as ShoreWatch, using drones to collect data on elevations and plant communities in tidal marshes, mussel and oyster structures, and to see some of the amazing research posters from the students.

📲 If you are curious about what tools CCRM has at your disposal, find out more through the link: https://www.vims.edu/ccrm/tools/

Thank you to everyone who took part in the summit, and to our partners Living Shoreline Collaborative.

09/21/2026

🌊The Center for Coastal Resources Management at VIMS is excited to invite you to the Virginia Shoreline Inventory Update & MapMyShore Live Support Session.

Join us for a live training session on September 23rd, from 10:00 to 11:00 ET, to learn more about the MapMyShore app. This session is for everyone, from seasoned app users to new ones.
Bring all your questions, and the MapMyShore team will be there to help you and walk you through all the different app features.

To learn more about MapMyShore, visit us at: https://www.vims.edu/ccrm/research/inventory/virginia/map-my-shore/

Join us through the link 🔗 https://cwm.zoom.us/j/87810924931

Virginia Institute of Marine Science

08/11/2026

Join us for our upcoming Annual VIMS Tidal Wetlands Workshop: Keeping Up with Marshes: Sustaining Wetland Functions! Held virtually via Zoom on September 10, 2026, from 10:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. ET.

The workshop will feature updates on Virginia’s marsh migration efforts, wetland workgroups, coastal resilience projects, and the impacts of the Sackett v. EPA ruling on wetlands.

The second half will spotlight CCRM’s new resource, The Science Behind Virginia’s Living Shoreline Standards, presented by Dr. Donna Bilkovic. Learn what works, what doesn’t, and how natural processes must be maintained to create resilient, functional, and sustainable living shorelines.

🌊 Join us for an informative and engaging couple of hours!
📅 September 10, 2026
⏰ 10:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. ET
💻 Virtual via Zoom
📩Email [email protected] to register.

07/21/2026

Join the Center for Coastal Resources Management to discover the latest updates to the Virginia Shoreline Inventory and get your MapMyShore app questions answered!

When: Wed. July 29th 10 am - 11 am
Where: Zoom https://cwm.zoom.us/j/87424395722

Session Agenda 10 am - 10:30 am

We'll highlight the localities with recently updated inventories and share which localities are slated to begin inventory updates starting in October 2026.

Session Agenda 10:30 am - 11 am

New users can discover how MapMyShore works and how to get started, while experienced users can receive personalized mapping and troubleshooting support, exchange tips, and connect with the MapMyShore team and fellow community scientists.

05/27/2026

Ever wonder about the birds, turtles, wildflowers, forests, marshes, or waterways around you? 🌎🌿

Becoming a Master Naturalist is a chance to turn curiosity into knowledge — and knowledge into action. You’ll learn from experts, explore amazing natural areas, meet incredible people, and help support conservation and environmental education in your community.

If you enjoy nature and want to make a difference while having fun and learning new things, we encourage you to apply!

Adventure, learning, and stewardship are waiting. 🍃

The Center for Conservative Resources Management is a proud sponsor and advisor of the Middle Peninsula Master Naturalists Chapter!

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED FOR OUR NEXT BASIC TRAINING CLASS! If you are interested in becoming a Virginia Master Naturalist, our next training begins on September 13th.

Virginia Master Naturalists are volunteer educators, citizen scientists, and stewards helping Virginia conserve and manage natural resources and public lands. This course prepares trainees to become part of this statewide corps of volunteers.

For more information, visit our webpage at midpenvmn.com, message us here on Facebook, or email us at [email protected].

Photo: Trainees investigate marsh species at Machicomoco State Park.

The VMN program is committed to reducing financial barriers to participation in the VMN program. While the standard fee for our training course is $175, a variable pricing structure is in place to reduce any financial constraint.

05/19/2026

With support from a 2023 award from the NOAA Marine Debris Program, William and Mary’s Batten School and Virginia Institute of Marine Science Nationwide TRAP Program (Trap Removal, Assessment, and Prevention) is tackling derelict fishing gear across the country.

The Nationwide TRAP Program detects and removes derelict fishing traps, including lost or abandoned crab and lobster gear, while gathering data to help reduce future loss. Its subaward competition funds projects across the country that carry out removal efforts while advancing our understanding of where and why traps are lost, the harm they cause, and how to prevent these issues.

From Maryland to Santa Barbara to Florida, teams are identifying, retrieving, and recycling lost traps. In its first year, 11 projects were funded, and the impact is already visible in coastal waterways.

Check out the successes and see the inspiring stories from Round One TRAP teams, captured by ! As Round Two subaward projects prepare to launch and Round Three projects are selected, more progress is on the horizon.

https://marinedebris.noaa.gov/multimedia/videos/one-year-removing-and-preventing-traps-across-nation

05/19/2026

Become a Citizen Scientist for Virginia’s Shorelines!

Join CCRM's Virginia Shoreline Inventory effort and play an important role in documenting shoreline conditions and features along Virginia’s tidal waters using the MapMyShore citizen science app. Your observations and field data help keep the Shoreline Inventory current, accurate, and useful for communities throughout the Commonwealth.

The information you collect helps local governments, environmental organizations, planners, researchers, property owners, and coastal managers make more informed decisions about:

Coastal resilience and climate adaptation
Marsh migration and habitat protection
Shoreline erosion and flooding risks
Restoration and living shoreline projects
Protecting sensitive coastal areas

Be part of the science. Help shape a more resilient coastal future.

To learn more about MapMyShore and how to get started, visit MapMyShore.vims.edu and attend the next virtual Live Support Session Wed. May 27, 2026!

Zoom link: cwm.zoom.us/j/86548715752

Already participating? Join the MapMyShore Live Support Session to share your experience and get technical or other questions answered.

04/06/2026

In summer 2025, a mission to remove abandoned crab and lobster traps in Biscayne Bay led to an unexpected sea turtle rescue.

With support through a 2023 award from the NOAA Marine Debris Program, William & Mary’s Batten School & VIMS Nationwide TRAP Program, in partnership with the UF/IFAS Extension Miami-Dade County Sea Grant Program, led a team to remove lost crab and lobster traps from nearshore waters in Biscayne National Park. In a surprising twist, they came across a young green sea turtle entangled in the buoy line of a derelict trap. The turtle, nicknamed “Oscar,” also had line embedded deep in his flipper. Thanks to quick action and teamwork, Oscar was safely disentangled and transported to Zoo Miami’s Sea Turtle Hospital.

After seven months of care, including treatment for injuries and surgeries to remove tumors caused by Fibropapillomatosis, Oscar regained his strength and was released back into the seagrass beds of Biscayne Bay in February 2026. His story shows how removing marine debris can reduce risks for endangered wildlife and how coordinated response efforts can give animals a second chance.

Note: It is illegal to handle sea turtles without a permit. This rescue was conducted under Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Marine Turtle Permit MTP-25-024. If you see a sea turtle in distress in Florida waters, call FWC at 1-888-404-3922.

Learn more about this effort! https://blog.marinedebris.noaa.gov/discarded-line-silver-lining-one-sea-turtles-survival-story

03/27/2026

Congratulations to CCRM's own Dr. Joseph Zhang for selection as a William & Mary Plumeri Award Winner for Faculty Excellence. The Plumeri Award recognizes and awards core virtues that distinguish outstanding faculty members and define excellence at William & Mary.

Institute of Marine Science

Picture: CCRM/VIMS Director Dr. Kirk Havens, Dr. Joseph Zhang, VIMS Ecosystem Health Section Chair Dr. BK Song)