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Sandy One Year Later: Looking to the Future

On Oct. 29, 2013, the anniversary of the worst natural disaster ever to hit New Jersey, we invite you to join us at Monmouth University in West Long Branch for a day-long conference to address three critical questions about the Sandy recovery process: What have we accomplished? What have we learned? What do we still need to do?

Keynote speaker is Monmouth University’s 2013 National Champion of the Ocean recipient Admiral Thad Allen (USCG, retired). Admiral Allen directed the federal response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and was national incident commander for the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill.

Distinguished speakers, including former governors James Florio and Christine Todd Whitman, will highlight the economic and planning impacts of Sandy and of potential future storms, and will discuss things New Jersey and its municipalities need to be doing in order to be better prepared for the next severe weather event. You’ll have the opportunity to network with local and state officials, residents and community groups, professionals in the fields of land use, infrastructure and environmental science, and representatives from federal agencies, all focused on one thing: how best to rebuild the Garden State after Sandy.

Tentative Agenda

7:45 – 8:30 a.m.: Light breakfast and partner displays in Wilson Hall

8:30 a.m.: Welcome and Introductions in Pollak Theatre

9:00 – 9:30 a.m.: Setup for the day: What’s been accomplished, what’s still to be addressed?

9:30 – 10:00 a.m.: Morning Keynote

10:00 – 11:15 am: Session I: Assessing the Risk: An examination of sea-level rise and severe weather events and their economic impacts, and the importance of incorporating future-looking assessments into long-term decision making

11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.: Session II: Planning for the Inevitable: An examination of needs, tools, and opportunities for individual towns and the region as a whole as we plan for a more resilient future

12:30 – 1:30 p.m.: Lunch in Wilson Hall

1:45 – 2:15 p.m.: Afternoon Keynote in Pollak Theatre

2:30 – 3:30 p.m.: Session III: Designing Differently: An overview of infrastructure and community design innovations that can help both urban and shore communities to withstand the next storm

4:00 p.m.: Closing remarks: Hon. James Florio, former governor, state of New Jersey

5:00 – 7:30 p.m.: Following the conference, please join us at McLoone’s Pier House in Long Branch for a cocktail reception supporting New Jersey Future’s Sandy rebuilding work.

Confirmed speakers:

  • Adm. Thad Allen (USCG, retired), former director of relief and recovery efforts following Hurricane Katrina
  • Lisa Auermuller, watershed/outreach coordinator, Jacques Cousteau Reserve, Rutgers Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences, Tuckerton, N.J.
  • Hon. James Florio, former governor, state of New Jersey
  • Christopher Hager P.E. LEED AP, principal/vice president, Langan Engineering
  • Megan Linkin Ph.D. CCM, natural hazards expert and vice president, global partnerships, Swiss Re America Holding Corporation, Armonk, N.Y.
  • Tony MacDonald, director, Urban Coast Institute at Monmouth University, W. Long Branch, N.J.
  • Patrick Murray, director, Monmouth University Polling Institute, W. Long Branch, N.J.
  • Hon. Frank Nolan, mayor, borough of Highlands, N.J.
  • Peter S. Reinhart, Esq., director, Kislak Real Estate Institute at Monmouth University, W. Long Branch, N.J.
  • Ben Strauss, vice president for climate impacts and director of the program on sea level rise, Climate Central, Princeton, N.J.
  • Mark Mauriello, former commissioner, New Jersey Dept. of Environmental Protection
  • Hon. Christine Todd Whitman, former governor, state of New Jersey; 2013-2014 distinguished public servant-in-residence, Monmouth University, W. Long Branch, N.J.

Attendance is free but space is limited, so registration is required.

The day before the conference, the National Champion of the Ocean Awards Dinner will be held on October 28, at 6 p.m. in Wilson Hall. The event is sponsored by Monmouth University’s Urban Coast Institute and will honor  Admiral Thad Allen. For tickets to the Awards Dinner or additional information, visit www.monmouth.edu/uci.

Thank you to our conference partners:

AIA New Jersey
American Littoral Society
American Planning Association-New Jersey Chapter
ANJEC
Clean Ocean Action
Climate Central
Fair Share Housing Center
Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey
NJBIZ
New Jersey Association for Floodplain Management
New Jersey League of Conservation Voters
NY/NJ Baykeeper
Operation Hope
NY/NJ Baykeeper
Regional Plan Association
Sustainable Jersey