VHB supported the development of a pilot program with community organizations in Patchogue, NY, to launch a long-term initiative designed to connect students with hands-on environmental stewardship while advancing coastal resilience at Shorefront Park.
Building on a successful volunteer event held in 2025, this expanded program introduces a recurring, multi-week format that strengthens student engagement and supports the long-term health of Patchogue’s living shoreline system.
Developed in collaboration with the Patchogue-Medford School District Climate Action Club and the Village’s Climate Smart Task Force, the program invites students in grades 6–12 to participate in weekend stewardship activities, including:
- Invasive species removal
- Native vegetation monitoring
- Citizen science data collection
- Climate adaptation and mitigation education
- Early environmental career exposure
These activities contribute to ongoing shoreline performance monitoring and environmental data tracking.
The structure of the program reinforces both educational and community outcomes. Students gain community service hours and real-world experience while helping document ecological changes and improve biodiversity at the site. At the same time, the work supports the continued success of the living shoreline—an approach that helps reduce erosion, enhance habitat, and strengthen climate resilience along Long Island’s coast.
VHB has remained actively involved beyond the initial design and construction phases, continuing to support monitoring efforts and community stewardship at Shorefront Park. This latest effort reflects a long-term commitment to project performance and community partnership.
“Our work doesn’t stop once a project is constructed,” said Carlos Vargas, Senior Coastal Project Manager and Chief of Design at VHB. “At Shorefront Park, we’ve stayed involved to understand how the shoreline is performing and how it can continue to evolve. This program takes that a step further by bringing the community into that process, so the project continues to deliver value in new ways year after year.”
As participation grows, the program is expected to play a key role in advancing Patchogue’s climate goals, strengthening community connections, and introducing students to careers in environmental engineering and coastal resilience planning.
Learn more about how VHB is committed to advancing coastal engineering and resiliency services and work across Long Island by contacting Carlos Vargas.
