Leveraging Community Voice to Address Environmental Resilience: A Case Study from the US Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor

This study examined environmental justice concerns and community-led resilience strategies in historically marginalized communities within the Gullah Geechee Heritage Corridor following the 2023 Hercules-Pinova plant fire in Brunswick, Georgia. The incident, which released hazardous chemicals, prompted civic reflection and mobilization among residents of Glynn and McIntosh Counties. A mixed-methods design grounded in the Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) framework was employed. Quantitative data were collected through a survey completed by 177 residents; qualitative data were derived from six semi-structured interviews conducted by community members who were trained by university researchers. The survey assessed health impacts, community priorities, and civic concerns, while interviews provided deeper context regarding environmental challenges and locally-driven solutions. Survey results revealed that 86.5% of respondents experienced health symptoms following the explosion, and 60.9% expressed concern about potential long-term effects. Environmental issues, including water and air pollution, were the most frequently cited concerns (66.1%), followed by civic engagement (48%), public safety (34.5%), and youth development (32.8%). Interview analysis revealed key themes including poor water quality, air pollution, legislative disempowerment, and the need for community-driven strategies such as digital outreach. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating community voices into environmental health research. The study offers a model for academic-community partnerships and contributes to scholarship in the field of environmental social work.