Coastal Resilience and Cultural Preservation in the Apalachicola System

February 25, 2025 - Nestled along Florida’s northern Gulf Coast, the Apalachicola River and Bay system is a landscape rich in both natural and cultural heritage. For over 12,000 years, this region has supported diverse ecosystems and communities, from Indigenous groups to early industries like cotton, timber, and fishing. The area now faces mounting challenges, however: the impacts of climate and the subsequent loss of archaeological sites threaten the preservation of these communities’ stories. Ranking as one of Florida’s most under-resourced areas, there is an urgent need to document and preserve the region’s heritage while fostering connections with its current residents.

This webinar spotlighted the "People of the Apalachicola System" project, which combined archaeological research, digital modeling, and innovative community engagement to understand and protect the area’s cultural landscape within the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve. Participants learned about the project’s approach, including methods for engaging local voices through workshops and surveys, as well as how these efforts address threats to heritage resources. The webinar also shared preliminary findings, highlighting effective strategies for fostering collaboration, and explored how these lessons can guide future preservation and education initiatives in similar at-risk areas.

Speakers:
Nicole Grinnan, University of West Florida Archaeology Institute
Anita Grove, Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve
Mike Thomin, Northwest Florida Maritime Landscape Alliance for Preservation
Bria Brooks, Florida Public Archaeology Network

View resources related to the webinar:
https://nerrssciencecollaborative.org...

Learn more about the project and explore associated resources:
https://nerrssciencecollaborative.org...

Join our mailing list for updates:
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00:00 - Intro and housekeeping
03:15 - Project background
08:01 - Reserve needs and project goals
11:55 - Methods
23:06 - Community conversations on heritage at risk
30:43 - Predictive modeling
33:47 - Findings (monitoring)
36:35 - Findings (community conversations)
38:32 - Findings (SLAMM/ATA)
40:57 - Outcomes
42:44 - Next steps
44:52 - Q&A