Thanks to all who attended the Speaker Series Presentation on June 12. Katie Giannakopoulos, Coastal Dynamics Research Associate at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute gave an engaging presentation on what’s driving coastal flood risks, from long-term climate shifts to sudden, powerful storms like those that impacted the Gulf of Maine in January 2024.

A video of Katie’s presentation is in the Speaker Series archive.

The Mass Oyster Project is opening an upweller in Newburyport!

The Mass Oyster Project is coming to Newburyport and you can help!

Just 1.5-2 hours per week volunteering
Help nurture 60,000 baby oysters 🦪
No experience needed - just enthusiasm!
Located next to the Harbormaster's office

Why it matters: Each oyster filters 30-50 gallons of water daily, creating cleaner water for fish, crabs, and marine life. The project has already placed 2+ MILLION oysters in MA waters since 2008! 🐟

Questions? Contact Mike Connor: mconnorhome@gmail.com or 617-448-4922

Sign up to Volunteer

Second Graders Dive Into Climate Science with the SCiLL Mobile Lab

On April 9, second graders at Bresnahan Elementary had a blast exploring big climate ideas in hands-on ways, thanks to a visit from the Change is Simple SCiLL Mobile Lab. Students learned how carbon builds in our atmosphere and discovered simple steps we can take to care for the planet.

The program connected global climate concepts to local places — like Plum Island — helping students understand how our own community is impacted by rising seas and changing weather patterns. With interactive lessons both inside and outside the lab, the experience was fun, age-appropriate, and unforgettable.

“My students were incredibly engaged. It was hands-on, age-appropriate, and they really connected the impact of coastal erosion to our own community.”
— Katara Harding, 2nd Grade Teacher, Bresnahan Elementary

Read the Bresnahan School’s summary: https://secure.smore.com/n/a3quf-young-scientists-with-big-ideas

Watch the Storm Surge Interview on The Morning Show

Storm Surge board chair Kathleen Brittan and former chair Dr. Robert Young join host Mary Jacobsen on The Morning Show to discuss:

🌎 Climate Education in Schools – A new pilot program with Change is Simple brings hands-on learning to Newburyport students.
⚡ Inspiring Action – The challenges of mobilizing communities to address climate change.
💡 Hope for the Future – What keeps them motivated in the fight for climate resilience.

📺 Tune in: The Morning Show airs Thursday at 9 a.m. on Channel 9 and WJOP (FM 96.3).

Learn more

Ice and Sand

This new video in our series describes how the powerful glacial and climatic events that took place during the last episode of the 2.6 million years of what is called the Ice Age formed the geologic features of Newburyport’s modern coastline.

View the video

Consider a donation to support our mission.

Storm Surge is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that runs with a small budget. While volunteers provide our manpower, we do still incur some operating expenses that we must cover with donations. If you’d like to help support our goal to raise awareness to climate change and local resiliency challenges, a your tax-deductible donation would be greatly appreciated!

Donate