Resilient Communities - Resilient Coast
Nature-based adaptation on Barra and Vatersay in a context of coastal change
Barra and Vatersay in Scotland’s Western Isles are areas of stunning natural beauty and home to an array of rare animal and plant life on land and sea. However, the islands' population is confronted with challenging coastal change (see Barra and Vatersay Community Action Plan, 2023). Sea levels across Scotland have been rising and are predicted to rise further due to climate change. (For more detail on this see these reports by IPCC, CREW and. Amartunga 2022). At present extreme weather can disrupt travel, services, family and social relationships, crofting practices and the wider economy of the islands. Further changes to the coast will exacerbate this situation. At the most extreme this will present a risk to property, transport and access to vital services. There is therefore a need to adapt to these changes in ways that protect lives and livelihoods. Resilient Communities: Resilient Coast will seek to develop nature-based solutions (NbS) that aim to restore natural ecosystems as a means of addressing societal challenges and mitigating climate harm. The vast array of knowledge on coastal change and coastal stewardship amongst islanders and some island communities on Barra and Vatersay provides a means of responding to this challenge in ways that mitigate the impact on the beautiful and fragile island ecology and the local community.
Resilient Communities – Resilient Coast is a partnership between islanders, local groups, other climate initiatives and researchers from disciplines of civil engineering, agri-engineering, marine ecology and anthropology. Working as a partnership we aim to develop nature-based solutions (NbS) to coastal change that promote a flourishing ecology whilst mitigating the harms of coastal erosion.
In this initial phase we will connect with community members interested in learning about and contributing to this project by sharing their knowledge and experience and shaping any interventions. You can follow the progress through this blog (link). You can attend workshops and events by following our social media feeds links). If you have any questions or would like information.
Please contact - Heather Lynch using this address heather.lynch@gcu.ac.uk
Partners
Coimhearsnachd Bharraidh agus Bhatarsaidh (Barra & Vatersay Community) Ltd