PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COURSE IN COASTAL CLIMATE RESILIENCE
Practical Solutions for a Resilient Future
Registration is open for the Spring 2025 cohort – Click Here!
Gain expertise from top sustainability and resilience professionals in the new professional development course in Coastal Climate Resilience.
The Center for Coastal Climate Resilience and the Coastal Science and Policy Program at UC Santa Cruz are leading this professional development course through UCSC Extension in Spring 2025; see dates and registration information below.
Testimonial: “This course provided much needed context in a quickly growing field! I have gained confidence in my ability to consider nature-based solutions in a coastal adaptation context and to garner funding and support needed to successfully implement them.” – Fall 2024 course participant
Photos: Participants in the Fall 2024 Coastal Climate Resilience course.
As the climate risk continues to increase for coastal communities, now is the time to grow and engage new climate resilience leaders.
- Registration is OPEN for the Spring 2025 cohort, beginning March 20, 2025!
- View the CCR Course Syllabus for Spring 2025.
- Fill out the Course Interest Form
- RSVP for a virtual information session – Click here!
- January 29, 1:00 PM Pacific
- February 6, 3:00 PM Pacific
- February 13, 3:00 PM Pacific
- February 26, 1:00 PM Pacific
- March 10, 10:00 AM Pacific
This course is designed for those actively working in the field of coastal climate resilience with an aim to have participants apply learnings in real time. Students in the Coastal Climate Resilience course learn to navigate coastal adaptation and sustainability projects from policies to practice for a resilient future. This course is designed for practitioners in the United States and is tailored to cover US funding and policy. We are not accepting international applicants at this time, however, we are taking note of interest and may develop a course tailored for international practitioners in the future. Please fill out the interest form above to note your interest in future offerings.
Our multisector network of instructors share a dedication to implementing practical solutions to coastal resilience projects. Through cohort-based instruction and activities grounded in science, practitioners will learn to navigate coastal adaptation and sustainability projects from policies to practice for a resilient future. The course will help practitioners build a framework of opportunities, innovations, and practical solutions in coastal climate resilience.
At the conclusion of the course, participants will be able to:
-
- Identify a range of practical solutions for adapting to climate risks, including nature-based solutions.
- Know how to access resources for planning, evaluating, funding, and implementing a project.
- Understand the landscape of models and tools available for coastal risk assessments and adaptation planning.
- Engage interested parties in resilience and adaptation projects in an equitable way.
- Build an interdisciplinary network to collaborate on local and regional resilience projects.
Testimonial: “As an individual who works in a space where I have 10 elected officials, including City Council members and County Supervisors as Board Members, I feel better prepared to suggest policies and projects that can enhance climate resiliency in each member’s jurisdiction.” – Fall 2024 course participant
The course is open to practitioners across the United States who are working at the interface of climate and coastal adaptation, particularly practitioners and scientists in positions to plan, finance, implement, model, incentivize, and transfer risks associated with coastal adaptation projects. We are particularly interested in supporting:
- Environmental planners,
- Municipal, regional, and state leaders,
- Tribal members,
- Climate and sustainability managers,
- Risk modelers,
- Insurance industry employees,
- Engineers, and,
- Community liaisons working at the interface of climate and adaptation.
Course Topics Include
- Principles of coastal resilience and climate change, including climate risks and hazards in coastal zones.
- Adaptation and resilience strategies that address climate impacts in coastal regions.
- Designing effective nature-based solutions to future climate conditions as a core component of adaptation and resilience.
- Overview of funding sources, including documentation and data needed for resilience projects. Examples discussed include insurance payouts, FEMA funding, Army Corps resources, municipal bonds, nonprofit funding, and innovative financing options.
- Climate impacts in coastal zones, including disproportionate impacts in underserved communities, and principles of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. Principles of engaging parties respectfully in climate justice.
- Policies relevant to nature-based solutions at national, regional, and state levels.
The course will be a combination of virtual classes, plus an in-person, 2.5-day workshop at UC Santa Cruz. Details are in the FAQs below and in the CCR Course Syllabus for Spring 2025.
Testimonial:“This course provided invaluable opportunities to connect with a diverse network of professionals and gain practical insights into the evolving field of adaptation. The combination of in-depth workshops, case studies, and perspectives from community-based organizations, engineers, and planners made it a unique and enriching experience. It not only deepened my understanding of resilience challenges but also equipped me with tools and connections to drive meaningful action. I highly recommend this course to anyone looking to make a tangible impact in climate adaptation.” – Fall 2024 course participant
Testimonial: “What I gained from this course far exceeded my expectations. These fresh ideas broke me out of my bubble and allowed me to approach challenges in new ways.” – Fall 2024 course participant
Photo left: Course instructor Borja Reguero, UCSC, discusses climate resilient solutions with course participants. Photo right: Course instructors Janan Reilly, FEMA; Megan Kelso, UCSC, Kris May, Climate Pathways
Testimonial: “Highlights included the diversity of participants, instructors, and guest speakers; the comprehensive approach to topics (not just technical aspects); and the opportunity to apply knowledge to real- world cases.” – Fall 2024 course participant
Testimonial: “This course allowed me to gain a deeper insight into the work I do, which gave me encouragement to go deeper into the true function of the projects and plans I create. Getting to hear from so many different voices and points of views, I also got a big feeling of community. There are so many amazing people working on shoreline resilience, I really felt part of a bigger team knowing that our ideas and efforts will better our environments and societies.”– Fall 2024 course participant
FAQs
Additional Questions? Please email csp@ucsc.edu
Registration
Register by March 13, 2025! UC Extension is managing registration for this course: Registration Link. If you need help registering, please reach out to Student Services Representatives (408) 861-3860 | extension@ucsc.edu
- This course is designed for those actively working in the field of coastal climate resilience with an aim to have practitioners apply learnings in real time.
- This course is designed for US practitioners. Many of the course modules are specific to the United States (for example, policies and funding). We are not accepting international participants at this time, however, we are taking note of interest, and may develop a future course tailored for international practitioners. If you would like to be informed of future offfereings, please fill out this course interst form.
Course Topics, Speakers, and Schedule
Spring 2025 Course Syllabus
All class sessions are live online except for May 15-17, which is an in-person workshop. Online classes will be held via zoom on Thursdays from 12:30 – 2:30 PM Pacific Time. See table below.
*Note topics and speakers subject to change
| Week | Date, Format, Time | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 |
March 20, 2025 Live online, 12:30 – 2:30 PM Pacific Time |
Principles of Coastal Resilience & Climate Change Speakers: to be announced Learning Objectives:
|
| Week 2 |
March 27, 2025 Live online, 12:30 – 2:30 PM Pacific Time |
Nature-based Solutions for Climate Adaptation: Case Studies & Tools Speakers: to be announced Learning Objectives:
|
| Week 3 |
April 3, 2025 Live online, 12:30 – 2:30 PM Pacific Time |
Nature-based Solutions Case Studies Continued & Policies Relevant to Nature-based Solutions Speakers: to be announced Learning Objectives:
|
| Week 4 |
April 10, 2025 Live online, 12:30 – 2:30 PM Pacific Time |
Equitable Engagement of Interested Parties Speakers: to be announced Learning Objectives:
|
| Week 5 |
April 17, 2025 Live online, 12:30 – 2:30 PM Pacific Time |
Sources and Steps to Financing Coastal Resilience at National & State Levels Speakers: to be announced Learning Objectives:
|
| Week 6 |
April 24, 2025 Live online, 12:30 – 2:30 PM Pacific Time |
Insurance and Innovative Financing for Resilient Communities Speakers: to be announced Learning Objectives:
|
| Week 7 |
May 1, 2025 Live online, 12:30 – 2:30 PM Pacific Time |
Data Sources, Tools & Models for Resilient Coastal Adaptation Speakers: to be announced Learning Objectives:
|
| Week 8 |
May 8, 2025 Live online, 12:30 – 2:30 PM Pacific Time |
Data Sources, Tools & Models for Resilient Coastal Adaptation | Part 2 Speakers: to be announced Learning Objectives:
|
| Week 9 |
May 15 – 17, 2025 In-person 2.5 Day Workshop at UC Santa Cruz Coastal Science Campus |
Practical Applications Towards Resilient Coastal Adaptation
Speakers/Experts on hand: to be announced Learning Objectives:
|
*Note above topics and speakers subject to change
Course Schedule
All class sessions are live-online except for Week 9. Online classes will be held live via zoom on Thursdays from 12:30 – 2:30 PM Pacific Time. Week 9 is a 2.5 day in-person workshop held at UC Santa Cruz.
Each week:
- 2 hours live class session
- 1-1.5 hours outside of class,
variable based on weekly readings and online discussions
Week 1: March 20, 2025
Live online, 12:30 – 2:30 PM Pacific Time
Week 2: March 27, 2025
Live online, 12:30 – 2:30 PM Pacific Time
Week 3: April 3, 2025
Live online, 12:30 – 2:30 PM Pacific Time
Week 4: April 10, 2025
Live online, 12:30 – 2:30 PM Pacific Time
Week 5: April 17, 2025
Live online, 12:30 – 2:30 PM Pacific Time
Week 6: April 24, 2025
Live online, 12:30 – 2:30 PM Pacific Time
Week 7: May 1, 2025
Live online, 12:30 – 2:30 PM Pacific Time
Week 8: May 8, 2025
Live online, 12:30 – 2:30 PM Pacific Time
Week 9: May 15 – 17, 2025
In-person 2.5 Day Workshop at UC Santa Cruz Coastal Science Campus
- May 15: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Pacific time
- May 16: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Pacific time
- May 17: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm Pacific time
Course Costs
This course is 4 continuing education units (CEUs). The cost is $2,500. Additional travel costs may be incurred to attend the required in-person 2.5 day workshop. A limited number of fellowships are available to help cover costs. Please email csp@ucsc.edu.
Course Fellowships
The UCSC Coastal Science & Policy Program offers limited needs-based fellowships. We are particularly interested in supporting tribal members and practitioners and liaisons from underserved communities. Please email csp@ucsc.edu to inquire about eligility and to request consideration.
Course Logistics
This course is offered in hybrid format. Class meetings 1-8 will take place live-online via Zoom. Class meeting 9, the in-person 2.5 day workshop, will take place in-person at the UCSC Coastal Science Campus (115 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA 95060). Students are expected to log into this course via Canvas at the start time of scheduled meetings and participate via Zoom, for the duration of each scheduled class meeting.
Electronic Course Materials: You will be granted access in Canvas to your course site and course materials approximately 24 hours prior to the published start date of the course.
Hybrid Format
- 8 live online class sessions, each 120 minutes
- 2.5 day in-person workshop
- Both course components must be attended for credit
- Total 50 – 60 hours over 9 weeks
Course Lecturers
Lecturers and guest speakers for this course include:
Mike Beck, Director, Center for Coastal Climate Resilience at UC Santa Cruz, Institute of Marine Sciences
Rod Braun, Director, Green-Gray Infrastructure/Nature-based Solutions at Conservation International
Renee Collini, Director, Community Resilience Center at The Water Institute
Sarah Eminhizer, Director, Coastal Science and Policy Program, Coastal Climate Resilience Program, and Workforce Development, UC Santa Cruz
Guillermo Franco, Managing Director & Global Head of Cat Risk Research at Guy Carpenter
Megan Kelso, Scientist in Coastal Conservation and Disaster Risk Reduction, Center for Coastal Climate Resilience at UC Santa Cruz
Kris May, CEO at Pathways Climate Institute | Climate Research and Adaptation
Borja Reguero, Associate Professosr at UC Santa Cruz; Senior Engineer. STC. Coastal resilience, nature-based solutions at World Bank
Janan Reilly, Acting Branch Chief, Community Infrastructure Resilience, Hazard Mitigation Assistance, FEMA HQ at the Federal Emergeny Management Agency (FEMA)
Tiffany Wise-West, Sustainability and Resiliency Officer at the City of Santa Cruz-jk0 p
Jannelle Kellman, Founder / CEO The Center for Sea Rise Solutions;
Julie Beagle, EWN Coastal Practice Lead, Environmental Planning Section Chief, San Francisco District, US Army Corp of Engineers
Heather Tallis, Social Impact Fellow at World Wildlife Fund; Executive Fellow, Center for Coastal Climate Resilience at UC Santa Cruz; Former Assistant Director for Biodiversity and Conservation Sciences in the White House Office of Science & Technology Policy
Christopher Allen, Global Principal | Regenerative + Nature-based Solutions at Jacobs
Landolf Rhode-Barbarigos, Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering at the University of Miami
+ more to be announced; subject to change
Can International Practitioners Register for this Course?
No. This course is designed for practitioners in the United States and is tailored to cover US funding and policy. We are not accepting international applicants at this time, however, we are taking note of interest and may develop a course tailored for international practitioners in the future.
Fall 2024 Course Evaluation & Testimonials
93% of Fall 2024 course participants who provided feedback indicated the course was ‘highly effective’ or ‘effective’ in helping them make tangible progress in their work on coastal climate resilience. No one indicated the course was ‘not effective.’
Testimonial: “This course provided much needed context in a quickly growing field! I have gained confidence in my ability to consider nature-based solutions in a coastal adaptation context and to garner funding and support needed to successfully implement them.” – Fall 2024 course participant
Testimonial: “As an individual who works in a space where I have 10 elected officials, including City Council members and County Supervisors as Board Members, I feel better prepared to suggest policies and projects that can enhance climate resiliency in each member’s jurisdiction.” – Fall 2024 course participant
Testimonial: “This course provided invaluable opportunities to connect with a diverse network of professionals and gain practical insights into the evolving field of adaptation. The combination of in-depth workshops, case studies, and perspectives from community-based organizations, engineers, and planners made it a unique and enriching experience. It not only deepened my understanding of resilience challenges but also equipped me with tools and connections to drive meaningful action. I highly recommend this course to anyone looking to make a tangible impact in climate adaptation.” – Fall 2024 course participant
Testimonial: “What I gained from this course far exceeded my expectations. These fresh ideas broke me out of my bubble and allowed me to approach challenges in new ways.” – Fall 2024 course participant
Testimonial: “Highlights included the diversity of participants, instructors, and guest speakers; the comprehensive approach to topics (not just technical aspects); and the opportunity to apply knowledge to real- world cases.” – Fall 2024 course participant
Testimonial: “This course allowed me to gain a deeper insight into the work I do, which gave me encouragement to go deeper into the true function of the projects and plans I create. Getting to hear from so many different voices and points of views, I also got a big feeling of community. There are so many amazing people working on shoreline resilience, I really felt part of a bigger team knowing that our ideas and efforts will better our environments and societies.” – Fall 2024 course participant
