Focus of Work
The Maine Blue Carbon Network convened the 2nd Maine Coastal Carbon Ecosystems Symposium to bring together researchers, agencies, nonprofit organizations, Tribal interests, policymakers, municipalities, and coastal practitioners to explore how Maine can better protect and restore coastal ecosystems while advancing climate resilience. The Symposium connected emerging research with practical policy, management, financing, and restoration strategies. Seatone helped design and facilitate the day-long Symposium, supporting participants to build a shared understanding of opportunities, explore complex issues, and identify actionable priorities for future collaboration.
Our Approach
Seatone supported the Symposium Planning Committee to design a collaborative process that blended scientific presentations, policy perspectives, expert panel discussions, moderated dialogue, and structured breakout sessions to move participants from shared learning toward collective problem solving. The process helped participants synthesize diverse perspectives, identify cross-cutting themes, and translate technical knowledge into practical recommendations for statewide planning, research, policy, management, financing, and restoration. The resulting dialogue strengthened connections among science, governance, and community priorities while building relationships to advance Maine’s blue carbon work.
Key Outcomes
Maine Coastal Carbon Ecosystems Symposium Report put forward a shared vision for strengthening Maine’s coastal carbon efforts and identified practical opportunities for coordinated action. Highlighted priorities include centralized data coordination, stronger communication tools, integration of Indigenous Knowledge, restoration-friendly permitting, expanded research and monitoring, sustainable funding, and stronger statewide coordination. In bringing together leaders from multiple sectors around a shared set of priorities, the Symposium strengthened relationships, reinforced momentum, and established a stronger collaborative foundation for advancing climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, and protection across Maine’s coastal communities.
