Rodney Rowland on Sea Level Rise: A Historic Museum's Resilience Strategy & Wins

In this enlightening episode of *Green Shoots & Big Shifts*, host Reetu Gupta engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Rodney Rowland, the Director of Environmental Sustainability at the Strawbery Banke Museum. With over three decades of experience at the museum, Rodney shares his journey and the museum's evolution in addressing the pressing challenges posed by climate change, particularly sea level rise. Through a combination of historical preservation and innovative sustainability practices, Strawbery Banke is pioneering efforts to adapt to rising water levels while maintaining its rich heritage.Rodney discusses the Sea Level Rise Initiative, a comprehensive project aimed at mitigating the impacts of groundwater and stormwater flooding on the museum's historic buildings. He emphasizes the importance of collaboration, community engagement, and public outreach as critical elements of their strategy. Listeners will gain insight into the lessons learned from the initiative, the significance of partnerships with local universities and organizations, and the hope that emerges from collective action in the face of climate challenges.(00:00) - - Introduction to the Podcast (01:30) - - Welcoming Guest Rodney Rowland (02:15) - - Rodney's Journey at Strawbery Banke (04:50) - - Current Role: Director of Environmental Sustainability (07:20) - - Challenges of Climate Resilience (09:00) - - The Sea Level Rise Initiative Explained (12:45) - - Investigating Groundwater Issues (15:30) - - The Impact of Climate Change on Historic Buildings (17:00) - - Examples of Current Projects at Strawbery Banke (21:00) - - Importance of Public Outreach and Education (24:15) - - Key Learnings for Other Institutions (27:30) - - Partnerships with Local Universities (30:00) - - Balancing Community Needs and Resilience Work (34:00) - - Visitor Response to the Sea Level Rise Exhibit (37:15) - - Connections Between History and Climate Resilience (40:00) - - The Role of Hope in Advocacy (43:00) - - Upcoming Projects at Strawbery Banke (47:00) - - Final Thoughts: Awareness as a Key Takeaway (49:00) - - Closing Remarks and Thank You