Islands Conference to Explore Coastal Concerns on Martha’s Vineyard

[Woods Hole, Mass. — Sept. 9, 2026] — The Islands Coastal Conference will return to Martha’s Vineyard on Tuesday, October 6, bringing scientists, planners, nonprofit organizations, and members of the local community together to explore the island’s changing coast and the work underway to strengthen its resilience.

The free conference will take place from 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at the Martha’s Vineyard Film Center in Vineyard Haven, a short walk from the ferry terminal.

Rachael Hamilton, coastal resilience specialist with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) Sea Grant program, says, “This conference is an opportunity to look at the bigger picture on coastal concerns: what we’re learning about the island’s environment, what communities are doing to prepare for storms and other hazards, and how we can work together to protect the places and habitats that make Martha’s Vineyard unique. Most importantly, it brings the people doing this work together in one room to share ideas, ask questions, and build connections.”

The 2026 conference features a keynote by Seth Rolbein, a journalist, editor, and documentary filmmaker based on Cape Cod, followed by a session of presentations by scientists specializing in sea level rise, erosion, and community adaptation.

A second session highlights the efforts of regional planners and emergency responders to enhance island resilience and preparedness. A third session explores water quality, eel grass habitat restoration projects, and the status of fisheries. A fourth session focuses on salt marsh restoration advances across Massachusetts and their application to local marsh stewardship. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with and ask questions of the speakers following the sessions.

The annual Islands Conference started in 2013 and alternates between Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. Originally a collaboration between WHOI Sea Grant, the Cape Cod Cooperative Extension, and the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management, the conference has grown over the years with additional support from regional organizations. This year’s partners include the Martha's Vineyard Commission, The Trustees, and The Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah).

Registration for this free conference is requested by October 2, 2026. The agenda, registration, and conference details can be found on the WHOI Sea Grant website.

Contact: Rachael Hamilton at rachael.hamilton@whoi.edu.