COAST-X 2026

A coastal traverse connecting communities, observations, and knowledge along Alaska’s Arctic shore 

In Spring 2026, COAST-X will travel by snowmachine along Alaska’s western and northern coasts, moving from community to community to document environmental change and share observations. The traverse links places facing similar coastal challenges — erosion, thawing permafrost, changing ice — while creating space for conversation, learning, and collaboration. 

What is COAST-X? 

COAST-X is not a single field site or a one-time study. It is a moving platform for listening, observing, and learning across regions. The project brings together field measurements, local knowledge, and shared priorities to better understand how Arctic coastlines are changing — and what those changes mean for the people who live there. 

The Traverse 

The COAST-X route spans more than 1,500 miles from Bethel to Utqiaġvik, following Alaska’s coast through the Yukon–Kuskokwim Delta, Norton Sound, Bering Strait, and the Chukchi Sea. Traveling over snow and ice allows the team to experience the coast as many communities do — continuously, seasonally, and in relation to weather and ice conditions. 

The Traverse Team 

COAST-X is led by researchers, Benjamin Jones and Phillip Wilson, from the Institute of Northern Engineering at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, working in partnership with coastal communities, educators, and collaborators across Alaska. 

What We Observe 

Along the route, COAST-X documents shoreline change, permafrost thaw, snow and ice conditions, and coastal processes using field observations, mapping, and environmental sensing. These measurements are paired with conversations and shared observations, recognizing that long-term change is understood through both instruments and lived experience. 

Knowledge Exchange & Community Engagement 

Each community stop is an opportunity for exchange. COAST-X includes school visits, informal discussions, and hands-on demonstrations that invite participation and dialogue. Community members share what they are seeing on the coast, what matters locally, and what questions remain unanswered.

The goal is not just to collect data, but to build shared understanding and long-term relationships.

Why This Matters

Arctic coastal change is accelerating, yet long-term observations remain limited in many regions. At the same time, community perspectives are often missing from scientific and operational assessments. COAST-X works across regions to connect observations, experiences, and priorities — supporting safer travel, informed planning, and stronger coastal knowledge networks.