Current Initiatives
Strengthening the application of science in coastal decision-making
The Foundation, in partnership with the Coastal States Organization and NOAA’s Cooperative Institute for Coastal and Estuarine Environmental Technologies, is funding a two-year initiative that will accelerate the application of science in state coastal and estuarine decision-making.
Task 1 – Develop and implement an outreach strategy
Background – Between 2003-05 state coastal managers participated in a national survey: Improving Links between Science and Coastal Management, several Regional Focus Groups and in the production of several Science to Management White Papers (e.g., Creating Meaningful Dialogue: Improving the Effectiveness of How Federal Agencies Disseminate Research Information to State Coastal and Estuarine Managers; Examples in Translating Science into Coastal Management, and; Translating Science into Management: Challenges and Opportunities for the Coastal Community. )
Tasks – The Foundation and its partners will develop and implement an outreach strategy to ensure these products reach intended audiences and are used to address the research, information, and technology needs of the coastal states.
Task 2 – Crystallize the nation’s leading coastal management research needs
Background – In 2004-05 focus groups of state coastal managers were convened in the Gulf of Maine , Gulf of Mexico , Southeast, and Great Lakes regions. Their purpose was to build on the national survey and further identify and define coastal managers’ priorities related to land use and habitat change. Summary reports are available for each region.
Tasks – The Foundation will produce an assessment of the focus groups and recommend a model approach for subsequent focus groups; report on science-to-management projects or technical assistance from the regions; convene three additional focus groups and summarize the findings and recommendations; and produce a summary document that synthesizes the land use research, information, and technology needs that are common to the seven focus group regions.
Task 3 – Convene national experts group to hone the National Managers Survey
Background – The 2003-04 national survey Improving Links between Science and Coastal Management engaged 230 coastal managers and determined the most pressing management issue facing managers in the next five years is land use change in the coastal zone. The survey further queried managers on their top information, research, and technologies needs related to land use and eight other management topics (habitat change, ocean management, marine debris, environmental contamination, coastal hazards, sediment management, nutrient enrichment, and non-indigenous species). The results are now being used by state and federal agencies as they fund research. There is a need to conduct this survey on a 5-year cycle.
Tasks – The Foundation will convene an experts’ focus group to produce a scoping document and recommendations that will be used to design and implement future survey efforts.
Inspiring Innovation for Coastal and Ocean Protection
About the Coastal States Organization (CSO)