2026 Year-long CRP Projects

Community Science to Support Climate Adaptation in Virginia

Research Location: Hampton Roads, Virginia
Conservation Partner: Wetlands Watch

Faculty Mentors

Dr. Fernando Galeana Rodriguez and Dr. Robert Rose

Past Student Researchers

Sofia Politte '26 (2025), Elliott Durham '25 (2025)

Project Description

W&M students are working alongside Wetland Watch to visualize and explore patterns among the various community-led science and climate mitigation efforts across Hampton Roads, Virginia. Understanding the patterns in climate-driven ecological changes and vulnerabilities will support communities and Wetland Watch prioritize and enhance their collective efforts to ensure communities in Hampton Roads are resilient to climate-driven changes.

Effective climate adaptation requires collaboration among local communities, all levels of government, scientists, and the private sector. These multi-actor advocacy efforts are especially critical in ensuring the resilience of wetlands, coastal shorelines, and the communities of Hampton Roads, Virginia, an area facing the direct impacts of climate change.

Wetlands Watch is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing natural resilience, supporting community adaptation, and protecting and restoring wetlands throughout Virginia. The organization advances climate adaptation through collaborative partnerships and solution-focused strategies that connect diverse stakeholders.

Wetlands Watch enhances natural resilience, community adaptation, and wetland restoration across Virginia through many interacting initiatives, including wetland restoration and public policy, community and neighborhood initiatives, living infrastructure, and through community science. One of their flagship initiatives, their "Catch the King" community science effort engages and support communities with the collection and visualization of data on the impacts of climate on shorelines needed to inform policies and adaptation efforts.

In 2026, a team of W&M students will have the incredible opportunity to work alongside the Wetland Watch team to learn about and to help visualize the impacts of their various initiatives in Hampton Roads, Virginia. This will involve working with Wetland Watch to create maps that will help them share the impact of their initiatives as well as inform future work to support community resilience to climate. The students will be invited to collaborate and learn from Wetlands Watch partners and local communities as they design the maps and explore trends.

Prerequisites and Required Skills

Completion of an introductory GIS class is required. Students should be prepared to work respectfully with communities and partners across Hampton Roads, Virginia.

Experience with digital storytelling, public policy, and/or geospatial modeling are bonuses, but not required.

Travel Required

Some travel to participate in Wetlands Watch initiatives and events across Hampton Roads, Virginia.

Notes for Applicants

This is a great project for students who like to think of creative ways that GIS can be used to support community conservation.

Project ID - Format

25-016-25 - Semester

25-016-26 - CRP Year