Collaboration on oil spill resilience connects communities and regions

The first workshop in a series focused on understanding and addressing the societal impacts of oil spills was recently held in Anchorage, Alaska, with participation from the Alaska and Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant programs.

The Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska and the Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico are the two most significant oil spills in U.S. history, leaving long-term environmental, economic, and societal scars on both regions. In light of these shared experiences, the workshops are designed to facilitate dialogue between stakeholders from Alaska and the Gulf of Mexico on the experiences, strategies, and best practices for preparing for and recovering from future oil spills.

Helping to lead the workshop was Davin Holen, Alaska Sea Grant’s coastal community resilience specialist, who emphasized the importance of addressing the human dimension of such disasters.

“When oil spills occur, the focus is often on environmental and economic damage. But we must remember that these events deeply affect individuals, families, and entire communities,” Holen said. “It’s crucial to recognize the lasting impacts on society, culture, and ways of life.”

Alaska Sea Grant collaborated with Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant and other partners to ensure the voices of those affected by spills were heard. One attendee from Louisiana noted that after years of telling his story, this was the first time he felt understood. 

“Sea Grant extension professionals draw on our deep relationships within our regions to guide critical conversations and ensure that those impacted by oil spills have a platform,” Holen added. “The long-term effects on culture and society after a disaster like the Exxon Valdez oil spill are complex and not fully understood. Sharing stories among those who lived through these events helps us work towards better understanding.”

As a boundary organization focused on bringing together scientific and political institutions to solve complex problems, Sea Grant works to build trust within coastal communities and bring together diverse groups to foster resilience. 

“The workshops aim to create space for conversations and connections,” explained Holen. 

The workshop also supported efforts to provide resources to affected communities. They discussed the recently updated Coping with Technological Disasters guidebook, developed by the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens’ Advisory Council following the Exxon Valdez oil spill, which includes a peer listener training program to better support communities in crisis. Alaska and Gulf organizations and communities are learning how to use these resources effectively and get them into the hands of the public.Two more workshops in the series coordinated through the Gulf Research Program (GRP) of the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) are planned, with the next in Thibodaux, Louisiana, in December, and a final synthesis workshop at the National Academies in Washington, D.C., in early 2025.