New York’s Lake Erie communities are increasingly facing the impacts of flooding, erosion, storm surge, and varying water levels, yet technical modeling efforts often fall short of incorporating the perspectives and lived experiences of the people most affected. The presentation shares Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper’s Niagara River/Lake Erie Watershed Expanded Coastal Resiliency Study - an integrated approach to coastal modeling that combines scientific analysis with meaningful community engagement, resident education, and State agency collaboration. Using examples from community-based coastal resilience planning efforts, the presentation highlights how involving local stakeholders throughout the modeling process can strengthen project outcomes, improve public understanding of risk, and build long-term trust between residents, local elected officials, and State agencies. Rather than treating modeling as a purely technical exercise, this approach positions local stakeholders as critical knowledge holders whose observations, priorities, and concerns help shape both the modeling inputs and resulting restoration strategies. The presentation will examine methods for translating complex coastal data into accessible visualizations and engagement tools that support informed participation by non-technical audiences. It will also discuss the role of state agency partnerships in aligning local priorities with regional resilience goals, regulatory frameworks, and funding opportunities.
