The 2023 State of the Coast conference focused on 10 main topic areas with subtopics to guide the conversations. We saw the work and research of each subject area represented at SOC 2023, both in the program and the exhibitor hall. 

1. Coastal Law, Policy and Funding

Legal matters critical for the future of our coast; land ownership; water rights access; public trust; groundwater policy; flood insurance Water Code updates; public trust; flood insurance; Deepwater Horizon penalties; GOMESA; infrastructure funding; royalties from energy production in the Gulf; Building codes (flood vs wind)

2. Human Dimensions

Workforce opportunities; people of our coast; student and training opportunities; change in coastal livelihoods; diversity, equity and inclusion; social vulnerability; demographics and population trends; managed retreat

3. Ecosystem Restoration

Project performance; new approaches; marsh creation; ridge restoration; barrier island restoration; hydrologic restoration; river diversions; adaptive management; oyster reef restoration

4. Renewable Energy

Wind energy production; solar energy; ecosystem impacts; workforce development

5. Preparing for Climate Change: Mitigation and Adaptation

Future climate; sea level rise; climate modeling; floods and droughts; climate action plan; urban resilience (water, heat, etc.); blue carbon; carbon capture; blue carbon markets

6. Predicting and Planning for the Future of the Coast

Coastal Master Plan; advances in modeling, AI and machine learning; short- and long-term priority setting; alternative oyster culture; adaptive governance; land use planning; smart growth;

7. Flood Risk Management: Coastal and Inland

Nature-based solutions; natural infrastructure; surge modeling; hurricane impacts; Louisiana Watershed Initiative; watershed modeling; urban water management; compound flooding; real-time flood forecasting; non-structural solutions

8. Hydrology, Geomorphology and Ecology of the Coast

Changing and dynamic conditions; habitats: birds, wildlife and fisheries; Gulf hypoxia; nutrient pollution; ecological monitoring and trends; subsidence; sediment dynamics; carbon sequestration; estuarine mixing

9. Managing Our Rivers for Multiple Uses

Navigation; flooding and droughts; hydrological modeling; natural crevasses; sediment budgets; river shoaling; dredging strategy and costs; Mississippi Sound impacts

10. Disaster Impacts, Mitigation and Recovery

Impacts of Laura, Ida, etc. on communities; emergency preparedness; oil spill impacts and recovery; lessons learned