The Deal Island Peninsula Partnership, lovingly referred to as DIPP, is celebrating its 10 year anniversary! The Coordination Committee thought it would be a good time to reflect upon and reintroduce DIPP as we envision where the next 10 years will take us. Formerly known as the Deal Island Peninsula Project, this partnership, led by the University of Maryland developed an intentional “social network” of community members, academia, state and local governments and non-governmental organizations. The goals of the group were to collectively listen, learn and problem solve with each other about ways to increase the resilience of the local environment and community to coastal flooding, erosion, and other social and environmental changes. By developing a united front and giving a voice to the communities surrounding Deal Island, we strive to deliver resources and information to adapt to a changing landscape while honoring the sense of place that long-time and newer residents cherish..
Over the past decade, the partnership has primarily relied on grant funding to achieve its more notable accomplishments. The Deal Island Marsh and Community Project, a National Estuarine Research Reserve Science Collaborative was the catalyst for DIPP, allowing for the resources to engage in collaborative learning which established three primary focal areas for DIPP’s work: Heritage; Marsh Restoration; and Flooding and Shoreline Erosion. Building off of these initial efforts, DIPP partners were able to secure additional federal and state funding to support an integrated coastal resilience assessment, engage with faith-based groups to foster community resilience, enhance area marsh and shorelines, assess ditch drainage,and inform local communities about the Wicomico River maintenance dredging project. Additional information about all of these projects can be found at www.dealislandpeninsulapartners.org.
The last few years have been difficult for DIPP and the coordination committee as we struggled with COVID-related, staffing, and communication challenges. We are grateful for Salisbury University's Ryan Mello, who stepped in as DIPP coordinator to reignite the momentum of the past and are thrilled to welcome Christine Burns, Maryland’s Coastal Training Program Coordinator who will be taking on the role as DIPP Coordinator amongst her many other roles within the State. Over the next year, DIPP will reflect upon previous planning efforts such as the Integrated Coastal Resiliency Assessment and the Ditch Assessment to look for opportunities to further act on those plans. We also want to hear from you! What are your concerns facing your coastal community? What do you love about where you live? How might DIPP work with you to shine a light on the special places on the Deal Island Peninsula? Finally, if you’re interested in taking a greater role in DIPP, there is always room for community members to join the coordinating committee. Reach out to us through facebook or email.
DIPP Coordination Committee, (check us out here)
