2026 NH Coastal Climate Summit

The NH Coastal Climate Summit is a biennial event showcasing the latest research, adaptation projects, art, and climate initiatives taking place in coastal NH communities and neighboring states. Attendees who live and work in NH’s coastal watershed and beyond will share, learn, and connect on how to support a resilient coast. 

Date: Thursday, May 21, 2026

Time: Doors will open at 8:00am and the program will begin promptly at 8:30am and close at 4:30pm 

Address: Holloway Commons Squamscott & Cocheco Rooms (second floor), University of New Hampshire, 75 Main St Durham, NH 03824. Recommended entrance on Main Street (Street view) (Directions).

Parking and Carpooling: Parking onsite at the Campus Cross Lot on Mill Road is included in registration. (Map from Parking Lot to Holloway Commons)  Carpooling is strongly encouraged. Check out Group Carpool to help coordinate ride sharing.

Food: A light breakfast, beverages, lunch, and snacks will be provided for all speakers and participants.

Who will attend:

• • Students and researchers  
  • Technical assistance providers  
  • Volunteer boards and municipal staff in New Hampshire  
  • State agency staff  
  • Elected officials  
  • Public Health providers  
  • Community-based organizations and partners  
  • Natural resource professionals  
  • Interested residents and community leaders 

Attendees will . . . 

• • Build knowledge of climate impacts, climate vulnerabilities, and resilience assets in tidal and riverine areas within the inland and coastal communities in New Hampshire’s coastal watershed.  
  • Feel motivated to act using information, resources, network/connections, and tools shared during the NH Coastal Climate Summit.   
  • Build new and strengthen existing connections with people working together toward an environmentally, socially, and economically resilient New Hampshire coastal watershed. 

Registration will be open March 26 – May 7. 

Fees:  

• • Registration fee – $65: The full registration fee covers the cost of the venue, parking, lunch, refreshments, supplies, and contributes to keynote speaker/guest speaker costs. 
  • Reduced fee – $35: The reduced registration fee covers some of the cost of lunch and refreshments. 
  • Waived fee – $0: The waived fee is for anyone for whom paying a registration fee limits their access to the NH Coastal Climate Summit. 

Cancellation 

For those needing to cancel their registration, email Abigail Lyon (Abigail.Lyon@unh.edu) before the cancellation deadline on May 14, 2026, at 4:00 PM. We will not be able to offer refunds after May 14. CAW will keep and manage a waitlist should spots become available.   

It is our goal that the NH Coastal Climate Summit is accessible to all who want to attend and to support attendees to engage as fully as possible. The NH Coastal Climate Summit venue is ADA compliant. You may also reach out to Abigail Lyon (Abigail.Lyon@unh.edu) with specific questions about accessibility and accommodations. Information regarding disabilities and accessibility will be used for planning purposes only and will remain confidential.  

The 2026 NH Coastal Climate Summit will be indoors, and we request everyone take steps to protect public health. Vaccinations and a rapid test for COVID-19 are encouraged prior to participating. Mask wearing is welcome and encouraged but not required.  If you are not feeling well that day, please stay home. See CDC Guidance for respiratory viruses.  

If you have questions regarding the NH Coastal Climate Summit or your registration, please contact Abigail Lyon (Abigail.Lyon@unh.edu) or (603) 862-3729. 

CAW relies on generous sponsors to make the NH Coastal Climate Summit possible and to keep registration as low as possible for participants.  

Interested in sponsoring the 2026 NH Coastal Climate Summit? Sponsors receive benefits such as acknowledgement in publicity and during the event, free tickets to the Summit, and more. For more information, visit https://www.nhcaw.org/support-caw/ and reach out to CAW co-chairs Kirsten Howard (Kirsten.Howard@des.nh.gov) and Lisa Wise (Lisa.Wise@unh.edu).  

The Call for Speakers and Art is now closed.

The 2026 NH Coastal Climate Summit will feature stories about local climate impacts and how communities are adapting to those changes in the region and beyond. 

Presentations and Art will cover the following themes: 

• Green, Gray, and Everything In-between – This category includes new knowledge about climate impacts, vulnerabilities, and resilience assets in New Hampshire’s coastal watershed, and a focus on ecosystems and the biological indicators of a changing coast.  

• 3,2,1… Action! – Innovative ‘out of the box’ examples, and more broadly how plans are being put into action to make New Hampshire coastal watershed neighborhood, natural resources, and communities more sustainable and resilient in the face of coastal hazards  

• It’s All Connected — efforts addressing multiple priorities to improve well-being and resilience (e.g., housing and affordability, community development, conservation and restoration, public access, flood and hazard management) 

• Looking to Our Neighboring Coastlines – Lessons learned from coastal adaptation projects throughout New England. New Hampshire is sandwiched between neighboring states with robust, state-funded municipal resilience frameworks. This session would bring those models to the NH Seacoast to see what can be adapted.   

Submission ended on March 13. Applicants will be notified by April 10, 2026. 

Contact Rebecca.a.Katz@des.nh.gov with questions about the event or for more information.

 The CAW Community Champion Award recognizes local leaders who put climate-related research and outreach to work. The award(s) will be presented at the NH Coastal Climate Summit on May 21, 2026, in Durham, NH.

Visit the CAW Community Champion page to learn more about the award and previous recipients.