UD Students Develop Milton Coastal Resilience Plan

Three University of Delaware landscape architecture students have completed a comprehensive resilience plan for Milton, Delaware, addressing the town’s vulnerability to sea level rise and storm surges. The project was conducted through the university’s Coastal Resilience Design Studio (CRDS).

The plan focuses on three key areas: stormwater management, wildlife habitat preservation, and community connectivity through trail systems. The students—Bri Egan, Cate Boettger, and Talia Brinker—worked as Community Engagement Summer Scholars, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to develop solutions tailored to Milton’s specific needs.

Located at the head of the Broadkill River, Milton faces challenges common to many Sussex County coastal communities. The town’s location, while attractive for development, makes it particularly susceptible to flooding and environmental pressures.

The students’ recommendations emphasize multi-purpose solutions. For example, the proposed trail system would serve multiple functions: conserving land, widening flood plains, maintaining forested areas for water absorption, and creating ecological corridors for wildlife. These trails would also connect key community locations while reducing local road traffic.

Milton Mayor John Collier praised the students’ community engagement and said the recommendations provide clear targets for seeking implementation funding. The project’s approach mirrors a similar CRDS initiative in Slaughter Beach, which subsequently received technical assistance from FEMA.

The CRDS represents a partnership between the Delaware Sea Grant College Program, Sustainable Coastal Communities Initiative, and the UD Landscape Architecture Program. Under the direction of CRDS Director Zach Hammaker, the studio combines scientific research with design solutions to address coastal community challenges.

This article was adapted from content originally written by Tabitha Groh for the University of Delaware Daily, with photos by Bri Egan, Cate Boettger, and Talia Brinker.