Introduction

Over the past decade, Wetlands Watch's Resilient Design and Research Collaborative Laboratory, or “Collaboratory,” has become a key player in driving climate resilience efforts in coastal Virginia. Launched in 2014 with a pilot project bringing students from the Coastal Community Design Collaborative (Hampton University and Old Dominion University) into Chesterfield Heights, Norfolk, the Collaboratory has grown into a regional initiative that unites academic disciplines, professionals, and local communities to tackle pressing climate adaptation challenges. This unique collaboration engages students, local governments, private firms, and residents in co-creating nature-based resilience designs that address real-world flooding and climate threats.

Video Introduction to the Collaboratory Pilot Program in Chesterfield Heights

From 2014 to 2024, the Collaboratory has made significant strides. Hundreds of university students have applied their academic training in fields like engineering, architecture, and planning to local projects, directly contributing to flood mitigation and adaptation strategies. Their efforts have helped bring critical funding for community initiatives into neighborhoods, including the $120 million awarded to Norfolk for the Ohio Creek Project, while also helping to prepare a new generation of professionals equipped to handle 21st-century climate change challenges.

What makes the Collaboratory stand out is its ability to transform academic research into practical, community-driven solutions that directly benefit Virginia residents, particularly those in underserved and historically marginalized areas. As we look beyond 2024, Wetlands Watch remains committed to developing Neighborhood Resilience Action Plans for these communities and supporting their efforts to secure funding and implement flood risk reduction strategies.