2009 NPS ocean and coastal park workshop results and proceedings: establishing a community of practice, formulating guidance and charting a course for the future

Brunner, Julia; Cross, Jeffrey

The NPS Natural Resource Program Center's Geologic Resources and Water Resources Divisions hosted a three-day workshop attended by 53 resource managers and staff from ocean, coastal and Great Lakes parks, and regional and central offices throughout the National Park System. The workshop was held in Boulder, Colorado August 25-27, 2009. The purpose was to carry out three tasks identified in the NPS national and regional ocean stewardship strategies: 1) analyze NPS authorities, 2) identify NPS responsibilities and opportunities, and 3) improve communication among ocean professionals. The workshop provided a forum for representatives from ocean and coastal parks and regions to share expertise and experiences addressing ocean/coastal legal, policy, and resource management topics; explore existing approaches to resource management and ongoing needs; and offer recommendations for improved NPS ocean and coastal park stewardship. Prior to the workshop, participants identified the following topics as their highest priorities: 1) climate change, 2) fisheries management and other extractive uses, 3) aquatic invasive species, 4) pollution, water quality, and watershed management, 5) sediment management and coastal infrastructure, and 6) habitat and ecosystem restoration. During the Day One plenary session, participants gave brief presentations on each of the high priority topics, followed by group discussion, questions, and comments. On Days Two and Three, participants divided into breakout groups to analyze the topics and identify possible solutions. The final plenary session identified cross-cutting issues and tools, suggested priorities, and addressed NPS ocean and coastal budget needs. The report distills the workshop proceedings into a concise list of priority actions and topic-specific recommendations to guide the direction and action items for the NPS oceans and coastal program. The overarching recommendations were: 1) improve internal communication, 2) develop baseline inventories and information, 3) disseminate information about NPS jurisdiction and regulatory authorities, 4) develop an ocean and coastal management director's order, and 5) seek regulatory and legislative revisions to clarify management authorities. The Natural Resource Program Center and ocean and coastal program managers will use this document as an ongoing reminder of park needs to help with project formulation, staffing decisions, and partnership efforts.

2009 NPS ocean and coastal park workshop results and proceedings: establishing a community of practice, formulating guidance and charting a course for the future

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