Coasts – Camera – Action
Community-Driven Research for Adapting to Willapa Bay’s Rapidly Changing North Shore
Why This Project Matters
The north shore of Willapa Bay, in Pacific County, Washington, is experiencing some of the fastest coastal erosion in the state. Over the last century, parts of this shoreline have lost an average of 100 feet of beach every year. Today, rising sea levels and stronger storms are increasing the risks to homes, roads, cranberry bogs, wildlife habitat, and the traditional lands of the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe.
For the people who live and work here, coastal erosion is not an abstract future problem—it’s a daily reality. Yet these same communities often face economic and social barriers that make it harder to prepare for and respond to climate impacts. Equitable climate solutions must be shaped by those who are most affected.
That’s where Coasts – Camera – Action comes in.
What is Coasts – Camera – Action?
Coasts – Camera – Action is a community‑driven project that combines local knowledge, science, photography, and art to better understand and respond to coastal erosion in Willapa Bay.
The project builds on existing beachside art installations—life‑size steel sculptures that invite visitors to photograph the shoreline. These statues will become part of an expanded monitoring network that allows everyday beachgoers to help document how the coast is changing over time.
By pairing community‑submitted photos with scientific analysis and community storytelling, the project creates a shared record of coastal change that is meaningful, accessible, and useful for local decision‑making.
Community Voices and Local Knowledge
Photos don’t tell the whole story on their own. Through facilitated group discussions, community members shared:
- How coastal erosion affects their lives and livelihoods
- What changes they notice that data alone might miss
- Their perspectives on shoreline protection, and how these coastal projects affect their perception of risk
Using a participatory method, called Photovoice, highlights how local experience and cultural knowledge are essential forms of expertise.
Art as Engagement and Education
Art is central to this project. The photo station sculptures, locally-designed instruction signs, and community art events combine:
- Photos and time‑lapse videos of the changing shoreline
- Community stories and quotes
- Clear explanations of what the changes mean
Together, these elements make coastal science more visible, relatable, and engaging for everyone.
What Will Come Out of the Project
This project will deliver:
- New community photo stations along the Willapa Bay shoreline
- Easy‑to‑understand visuals showing how beaches change over time
- Community‑informed insights to support local planning and policy
- A public art and storytelling event focused on coastal resilience
- A long‑term, community‑supported monitoring system that can continue beyond the project
All results will be shared publicly and designed for use by community leaders, local organizations, and decision‑makers working on shoreline protection and climate adaptation.
Who Is Involved
This project is led by researchers and students from the University of Washington in close partnership with:
- Wash Away No More, a grassroots coastal advocacy group [Connie Allen]
- Willapa Erosion Control Action Now (WECAN)
- Washington Department of Ecology [George Kaminsky]
- Earl Davis Designs
Local artists and community members play a central role in shaping and sustaining the work.
For more information, contact the Principal Investigator, Dr. Roxanne J Carini, rjcarini@uw.edu.
Co-Principal Investigator:
Nicole Errett, Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences (DEOHS), UW
Students:
- Ashley Moore, PhD Candidate, DEOHS, UW
- Megan Kolenski, Summer Intern, APL, UW
- Xinghao Chen, Electrical & Computer Engineering (ECE) ENGINE Capstone, UW
- Shanqi Li, ECE ENGINE Capstone, UW
- Zheheng Li, ECE ENGINE Capstone, UW
- Dylan Scott, ECE ENGINE Capstone, UW
- Aaryan Shah, ECE ENGINE Capstone, UW
- Bauka Zhandulla, ECE ENGINE Capstone, UW
Other Team Members:
- Juliette Randazza, DEOHS, UW
- Cat Hartwell, DEOHS, UW
How You Can Participate
If you visit the Willapa Bay north shore:
- Look for the beachside photo station sculptures
- Place your phone on the statue and take a photo through the opening
- Upload your image using the posted instructions
By snapping a photo, you become part of a collective effort to understand, protect, and plan for the future of this coastline.
Looking Ahead
Coasts – Camera – Action is about more than monitoring erosion. It’s about building shared understanding, strengthening community voice, and creating tools that help coastal communities adapt on their own terms.
As the coast changes, this project ensures that the people who know it best are leading the conversation about what comes next.
Funding
Coasts – Camera – Action is funded by Washington Sea Grant, and received seed funding from the UW EarthLab Innovation Grants Program.
Dedication
This project continues in honor of David Cottrell, a catalyzing project partner and beloved community member. David’s dedication to advocacy and action helped turn the tide on beach erosion along the north shore of Willapa Bay. He is dearly missed and we do our best each day to carry on his work.