A ‘deep map’ is a map that displays more information than just places, names, and topography. It recognises that people and their emotional connection and experiences are central to an area’s identity. Three deep mapping exercises, based on the map of the Maharees tombolo, were led by the artists in the first year and another three in the second year. during project events.

They sparked conversation between people, and the artists as outsiders learnt a lot about the heritage and culture of the place, as well as more specifically the most vulnerable areas in terms of erosion and flooding. The exercises also helped highlight challenges and led to the generation of problem- solving ideas. Some maps were used primarily as a workshop tool to engage people to think in new ways about topics, while some are being used as part of the Neart na Machairi exhibition as communication devices.

The household survey & community visioning workshops This began in May 2024 with an open- ended, anonymous self- administered survey of adult residents to capture what people valued about Maharees and their hopes for the future, with multiple options to respond to the survey and a 20% response rate. This first survey provided rich qualitative insights that shaped the next phase of research. A second, more quantitative survey was conducted in November 2024 using a drop- off and pick- up method, resulting in an 82% response rate. Informed by the first survey, it used structured questions to support the development of a community vision and climate adaptation plan. The survey was carried out with support from MTU Business Studies students, who analysed the data using statistical methods, with findings validated by Maharees Conservation.

Together, the surveys informed an initial community vision statement, a set of climate adaptation measures, and future topics for building climate resilience. This work led to a trial workshop in May 2025 and a larger community adaptation workshop in July 2025, where survey results and climate impact projections were shared, expert input was provided, and residents took time to discuss and validate a community vision through group discussions and mapping exercises.

Community members share stories of lives lived off the land and sea, of past storms and losses, and of what they hope for the future, while local conservationists explain how they took action on the coastal erosion threatening their home, providing a blueprint for other coastal communities facing similar challenges now and into the future. This pathway brought a wider diversity of opinions on what community members want for the future by reaching out to people across the community (98 interviews) for their stories rather than inviting them into events. It also supported the dissemination of the learnings of the project locally as local stories were blended with local and national expertise on climate and biodiversity predictions.

Throughout Neart na Machairí, the project group shared information and visited each other's houses and gardens to explore how their neighbours were lessening their impact on the environment or adaptating to extreme weather events. Examples included a grower's day (exploring different scales and enhancing biodiversity measures) and exploring home designs and energy projects.

If you would like to join a network to share these kinds of neighbourhood home and garden visits or skill- sharing, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the subject line: skill- sharing network

This short documentary brings together filmed documentation of the two- year process, alongside 12 interviews with the project team to communicate both what happened and what project members have learnt about climate adaptation.