Monmouth University Urban Coast Institute Director Tony MacDonald served on an Oct. 16 expert panel focused on a state-proposed New Jersey Protecting Against Climate Threats - Resilient Environments and Landscapes (NJ PACT REAL) rule, which aims to modernize environmental land use regulations to more effectively respond to climate change.

MacDonald presented on the first of a two-part miniseries of Technical Assistance Coffee Chat webinars hosted by the New Jersey Coastal Resilience Collaborative to inform coastal communities and stakeholders about the goals and potential impacts of NJ PACT REAL. With a theme of "Coastal Protection and Natural Enhancements," the panel also included presentations by American Littoral Society Executive Director Tim Dillingham and Stafford Township Administrator Matt von der Hayden and was moderated by Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve Coastal Training Program Coordinator Amanda Archer. Visit the miniseries web page to view the second webinar and speaker slides.

For information about NJ PACT REAL can be found on the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection website. The agency is seeking public comment on the proposal through Nov. 7, 2024.