Rainfall Data- A 100-year storm is no longer every 100 years. Take a look from the national level at changes occurring in the upper atmosphere triggering intensity and longevity shifts in weather patterns at the surface. Gain an understanding of the weather events threatening water safety, analyze rainfall data and get insight into how to use this data to mitigate weather risks.  

Coastal Erosion Control- With rising sea levels risks, coastal cities are implementing coastal erosion control measures to mitigate the impacts and protect residential and commercial areas from floods. Explore erosion control best practices and trends and challenges from coastal communities in this session. 

Flood Control- As wet weather intensifies across the United States, more and more states are implementing flood control measures to protect their communities. Learn about the latest trends and best management practices in flood control today. 

Beneficial Reuse of Sediment- The method of reusing sediment helps repurpose the material for uses such as habitat restoration and beach nourishment. In this session, we explore trends and best practices for beneficial reuse of sediment and sludge, including how it can help with wetland restoration.  

Alexandra Cousteau

Alexandra builds upon more than 60 years of global name recognition to engage people who expect to hear credible environmental information from the third generation of this pioneering family of explorers. 

For millions around the globe, “Cousteau” is synonymous with discovery and protection of our natural world.

Born into this extraordinary legacy, Alexandra embarked on her first expedition to Easter Island at just four months old. By the age of three, she had already toured Egypt, Tunisia, Uganda, and Kenya, exploring the world in the arms of her father, Philippe Cousteau. Following in the footsteps of her legendary grandfather, Jacques-Yves Cousteau, she learned to dive with SCUBA from Captain Cousteau himself at the age of seven, immersing her in a lifelong connection to the ocean.

Alexandra brings this heritage of adventure and discovery into a compelling, modern call to action, inspiring audiences around the world—from policymakers and corporate leaders to students and grassroots communities. With a unique ability to connect with diverse groups, she delivers powerful messages of hope and action, urging us all to join her in the mission to protect and restore our planet's oceans.

Jamie Houle PhD

Nonpoint source (NPS) pollution is a leading cause of water quality degradation in the United States.  Nature based solutions (NBS) are innovative approaches to managing the impacts of impervious cover and land use changes that increase NPS.  More emphasis in new stormwater manuals and permits are requiring updates and improvements to regulations and bylaws.  New England has been pioneering innovative and regionally consistent methods to quantify benefits of NBS and advancing updated regulatory standards due to the non-delegated status of 2 of the 6 states and the promulgation of residual designation authority provided for under the clean water act.

The presentation will introduce a regionally consistent framework that communities and regulators can use including water quality, volume reduction, costs and operation and maintenance burdens.  

Session Learning Objectives: 

• -By the end of this session participants will be able to identify current trends in regulatory approaches to stormwater management.
• -Participants will be able to identify ways to track and account for stormwater control measure performance
• -By the end of the session participants will be able to identify technical sources of up-to-date scientific information to implement more sustainable stormwater management approaches.

Environmental Activist, Ocean Advocate & Storyteller

Co-Founder, Oceans2050

Senior Advisor, OCEANA

Jamie Houle PhD

Director/Vice Chair

University of New Hampshire Stormwater Center/NMSA