Dutch Water Envoy Visits Coastal Georgia

The CEAR Hub at Georgia Tech co-hosted Dutch Water Envoy Meike Van Ginneken and a delegation of engineers and government leaders from the Kingdom of the Netherlands on Friday, October 17. The visit began at the University of Georgia Marine Education Center and Aquarium and the UGA Shellfish Lab on Skidaway Island, followed by a special lecture at Savannah State University, where Van Ginneken spoke on Water Challenges and Coastal Resiliency and met with SSU students, faculty, and staff. The delegation then toured Tybee Island, where city leadership highlighted how partnerships with the Georgia Tech CEAR Hub and UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant have advanced local flood mitigation efforts. The group visited key sites featured in the Tybee Island’s Sea Level Rise Adaptation, Master Stormwater, and Natural Infrastructure Plans, including the 14th Street outfall, 6th Street culvert, and dune restoration and beach renourishment areas. The excursion fostered dialogue and innovation as both regions work to strengthen resilience to sea level rise.

Dr. Philip Omunga and Dr. Victoria Young of Savannah State University engage in a discussion highlighting international collaboration on water management initiatives.