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 pre-survey is part of a role-play game developed as part of a 2011 Collaborative Research project on sea level rise adaptation in Florida. Each player is assigned a different stakeholder role and fills out this pre-survey before starting the game, which serves as a foundation for helping participants understand each others' perceptions of sea level rise adaptation strategies.