Stories are fundamental to the way humans make sense of the world. Telling stories about the changes we see in the environment around us increases draws us together through shared experience toward a common purpose.

As part of Cape Cod Coastal Resilience Week 2024, WHOI Sea Grant produced a pre-concert program called Living at the Shore: Stories of Coastal Resilience at the Cape Symphony's performance "Our Ocean." The pre-concert program, held on June 15, 2024, showcased local stories of vulnerability, strength, and resilience to refresh our community spirit and renew our sense of empowerment toward a strong, resilient future. This storytelling program marks the final event of Cape Cod Coastal Resilience Week 2024.

Moderator: Chris Piecuch, WHOI sea-level scientist

Story One: Water Is Life

Kitty Hendricks-Miller, Mashpee Wampanoag cultural education specialist and song carrier
Leslie Jonas, Mashpee Wampanoag, WHOI tribal liaison, member, Cape Cod National Seashore advisory commission

Story Two: How do you inhabit a place well? Thinking with the Liberal Arts on Cape Cod and the Islands
Ana Isabel Keilson, co-founder and co-executive director, Gull Island Institute
Justin Reynolds, co-founder and co-executive director, Gull Island Institute

And featuring recorded climate stories from Massachusetts Maritime Academy students:

• Katie Gillis
• Tegan Murray
• Kevin Doherty