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Writer's pictureMorgan Glynn

The Importance of Local Knowledge and History

Community Science Fellow, Morgan Glynn reflects on her experience as a Resilience Corps Fellow at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI), where she led the Coastal Flooding Community Science Project. Through this project, Morgan worked with communities to gather observations about coastal flooding, which are used to improve flood models and inform local decision-making. She highlights the value of local knowledge, as community members shared personal stories and long-term observations of coastal changes that offer unique insights beyond scientific data. Morgan emphasizes the importance of integrating community input with scientific efforts to build a more resilient future.


From my time as a Resilience Corps Fellow at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI), I have had the opportunity to meet many dedicated and hard-working experts who excel in their fields of study. I have learned what a blue economy looks like and means, why sea levels are rising, and the importance of climate education in schools from scientists, researchers, and educators.


Something I did not anticipate learning from my time at a research institute was the value of local knowledge. I have had the privilege of meeting community members and residents who are passionate and bring a unique expertise that cannot be learned in the classroom. These people in communities are able to provide a long and detailed account of sea level rise impacts they have noticed over the years; knowledge that is invaluable and necessary for building a more resilient future. 


At GMRI, I am the Community Science Fellow focused on the Coastal Flooding Community Science Project. The goal of this project is to determine what water level and weather conditions lead to local flooding. Community members submit their observations of coastal flooding and flood impacts to the Ecosystem Investigation Network (EIN), which is the GMRI community science data platform. Submitted observations are used by the National Weather Service to improve their flood models and improve the timeliness of flood alerts, as well as local decision makers to make informed community decisions. 

User-submitted photo to the EIN that shows the Coastal Flooding Community Science Project sign


Part of what I am tasked with for this project is speaking with communities and guiding them through the process of submitting observations to this project. This work has taken me all along the coast, from Massachusetts to Lubec and even to some islands. 

When at a community event on Mount Desert Island, a fisherman shared with me a scrapbook of newspaper headlines and photos he had collected over the years. The clippings and images in this scrapbook showed a history of flooding and damage to the working waterfront, as well as told a story of family and belonging. 

Postcards people wrote to their future selves at a community event on Mount Desert Island


At another community event on an island, a long-time resident detailed the erosion that had taken place since her first memory of the shoreline. She pointed to where the shoreline used to reach, which was hard to imagine when seeing the crumbling soil and exposed roots a few paces back. 


Many times throughout this experience, people shared with me their personal connections to the working waterfront and the coastline. People shared their first memories, stories their parents used to tell them when they were little, and their hopes for their great, great grandchildren. Even though it was emotional hearing these stories, it is what gives meaning to this work. Without personal connections to place or a shared history, people would not be as committed to creating a better future. 


When at another community event on an island, a woman pulled me outside to show me an area vulnerable to flooding that was not always. She explained the community significance of this area and how it used to be the perfect place to relax with friends and eat sandwiches. We should not stand to lose areas where memories and long-lasting friendships were made. 

These local researchers have an archive of information and knowledge that a tide gauge could never measure. They know which areas never used to flood but do now, what areas will flood first, and how far back they need to be to not get wet during flooding events. 


These local observations are connected with science and technology happening at GMRI, and I could not be more grateful to have been part of this process. I will never overlook the importance of local knowledge and I plan to always work at bridging the gap between science and the community.


To contribute your own local observations to the project, click here.


About Morgan

Morgan is from Middleton, MA, but grew up visiting Deer Isle, ME. She recently graduated from Boston University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Earth and Environmental Science, a minor in Film & Television and was a captain on the rowing team. From her time as an undergraduate research fellow, Morgan was able to merge her passions for the ocean and fighting climate change using remote sensing techniques. Morgan is looking forward to learning more about the effects of sea level rise on coastal cities, specifically cities in a state she considers home. In her free time, Morgan enjoys running, scuba diving, and cooking. She cannot wait to learn about all the positive change and innovation happening at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute during her time in the Resilience Corps.

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