Responding to a changing coast

A narrow margin of the state where land meets sea, the Massachusetts coast is home to a nature, beauty, history, and experience like no other. The Trustees care for and preserve some of the most exceptional coastal beaches, habitats, and scenic shorelines in Massachusetts for visitors to enjoy and be inspired by, many of which are at significant risk of irreparable damage or loss from coastal change.

What is changing?

  • We are seeing more frequent, extensive, and even permanent flooding of low-lying areas–and with it the loss and conversion of coastal habitats, the disruption to public access, and irreparable damage to homes, buildings, and infrastructure.

  • More intense storms compound these losses, eroding beaches and breaking embankments.

  • The coast is on the move. Shorelines will retreat and beaches and marshes will migrate inland, where possible without the interruption of topography or development.

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How are we responding to our changing coastlines?

We are all drawn to the ever-shifting shores of ancient sand and rock to a vast blue horizon of water. It reminds us that we are part of something immense yet fragile. Joining with communities, researchers, and organizations as partners who care about the Massachusetts coast we are working to protect new areas of coast and advance new approaches that lead the way towards sustaining healthy and accessible coastal places for the future.