Integrating science and management to improve the health of coastal resources: NOAA’s Coastal Training Program

Every day, professionals in government agencies, private industries, and non-profit organizations make decisions that affect the health of coastal resources.  These decisions are often made without sufficient scientific knowledge or an adequate understanding of natural processes in the coastal system.  In these circumstances, science and policy are seen as separate endeavors, rather than as two interlocking pieces of the complex environmental management puzzle.

To bridge this gap between science and decision-making, NOAA’s National Estuarine Research Reserve system has developed a highly effective nationwide education program for coastal decision-makers called the Coastal Training Program.  Since its inception in 1994, the Coastal Training Program has reached over 13,000 individuals through events focused on topics including habitat restoration, facilities management, and land use practices.  These events have resulted in better-informed decision-making around coastal resource issues and improved coastal stewardship at local and regional levels.

This poster session will highlight lessons learned from Coastal Training Programs across the U.S., share best management practices, and solicit feedback to develop a Coastal Training Program tailored to the needs of the San Francisco Bay Area and Delta region.