Those who have visited Salem know that it is hugged by the ocean. The ocean has been the bringer of prosperity to the “City of Peace,” but if we are not careful, this same powerful force could also bring about great destruction. We have been reminded with recent flooding events that rising sea levels are no longer only a thing of the future: They are a current reality.

What does it mean to honor the past while preparing for the future? That question has been at the heart of the annual Preservation in a Changing Climate conference hosted at PEM. As we prepare for our fifth annual conference, on Wednesday, September 17, we look forward to a gathering that will bring together historians, preservationists, cultural leaders, scientists, architects, sustainability experts and community members.

This year’s conference welcomes Christina Rae Butler, Provost and Professor of Historic Preservation and Architectural History at the College of Charleston, South Carolina. Our sessions will focus on responding to sea level rise, disaster preparedness and using historical materials in a changing climate.

Conference presenters at this gathering are asking big questions: How do we prepare centuries-old buildings for rising sea levels and stronger storms? How can renewable energy and efficiency updates be integrated into historic neighborhoods with sensitivity to preservation best practices? How can we bolster our communities’ emergency preparedness while growing community strength? There are no simple answers, but in the act of convening, stretching our minds and engaging in dialogue, we discover new tools, perspectives and potential thought partners. We are imagining ways of caring for the past and future, leading us to better ways of working together.

For me, this work extends beyond my role as manager of the Dotty Brown Art & Nature Center here at PEM. It is also deeply personal. I have had the privilege of being on the planning committee for four conference cycles, and during this time, I have learned from my colleagues and grown in my courage to face the climate change challenges that keep me up at night. I have witnessed each year build upon the previous year’s efforts. As the years progress, we are focusing more and more on community resource sharing and cross-sector collaboration. Being part of planning and attending the conference has reminded me that I am part of a larger movement.

Many of these exhibitions and programs live within the Art & Nature Center. Visit The Pod, our multigenerational space to share a moment of deep love and curiosity for the natural world. Enjoy our new exhibition, Knowing Nature: Stories of the Boreal Forest, to learn how this northernmost forest biome helps to make life possible on earth. Or, attend one of our regular Essex County Ornithological Club lectures on birding and our annual Earth Week celebrations for families and children.

Attending a local event is only the beginning. These past few years have shown me that the act of bringing people together through shared learning experiences doesn’t just lead to greater understanding of new ideas. The act of gathering with a shared intention also brings about new solutions, collaborations and creative approaches that would not have been possible before. This is what the world needs. Won’t you join me?

Registration is still open for the Preservation in a Changing Climate Conference.