The beautiful beaches, dramatic landscapes, and oceanside towns of coastal Florida shine like beacons for millions of sunbirds, snow birds, and “stayers. ” As sea levels rise and extreme storms become more frequent, it is increasingly challenging for coastal communities to protect the infrastructure and habitats that are the foundation of the state ’s quality of life. Planning for these challenges requires the engagement of diverse stakeholders who must balance competing needs for water resources now, and in an uncertain future. In response, Guana Tolomato Matanzas Reserve and the University of Florida led a team to pilot an approach for stakeholder-driven planning that communities throughout Florida can use to prepare for sea level rise.
This game was developed by the project team and serves outreach purposes in an applied, problem-solving manner. It introduces participants to sea level rise adaptation strategies, leads to transformative learning about collaboration, and provides an understanding of the participants' preferences for different strategies.