The Ocean and Coastal Policy Center (OCPC) supports three primary educational goal – Study, Inform, & Engage. This timeline reflects these educational goals.

I. STUDY. Collection and Synthesis of Available Information on Hot Spots for Threatened Biodiversity on the Gaviota Coast. This project would support the OCPC Mentoring and Internship Program at UCSB by assisting in the development of a team of undergraduate and graduate student research interns or fellows, mentored by Dr. McGinnis, who would collect and synthesize available information on significant habitat areas, significant feeding and migration corridors, and other information about expected threats to the biodiversity of the Gaviota coast (GC). The team members, drawing on their experience and background, would then conduct a vulnerability analysis based on existing scientific information and publications regarding habitats, especially for identified endangered or vulnerable species, and will identify the most important “hot spots” of biodiversity within the GC. The analysis would be incorporated into two planning processes – the GC Rural Planning Process and the County’s Climate Action Strategy – via a public information sharing campaign described below. (November 15 2009 – January 30 2010)

II. INFORM. Write-up of Vulnerability Analysis. Team members would produce an analysis of the most threatened habitats of the GC. This analysis would represent a “briefing” for elected officials, planners, and members of the public. Please note, the County does not currently have the funds to conduct this type of project to support the planning processes. So, with funds from the Coastal Fund, our project and OCPC team members would work together to create a written vulnerability analysis that would include dissemination tools (including Power Point) to clearly and effectively present their data and conclusions to decision-makers and the public. As noted below, this proposed project would represent the implementation of several of the recommendations made in the Center’s prior report funded by CF. (January 30 –February 30 2010)

III. ENGAGE. Information Sharing Campaign. In a well organized Information Sharing Campaign, the analysis would be presented in a way that specifically addresses planning concepts and considerations in development in the County’s GC Regional Rural Planning (GRRP) and Climate Action Strategy (CAS) planning processes that have begun. The vulnerability analysis would be presented in several public workshops held by students and coordinated by Dr. McGinnis, and would be made available on the web and in printed form. This public outreach, information sharing and educational effort would include formal and informal sessions in a collaborative settings that would foster communication between scientists, policymakers, planners, and members of the public on the nature of biodiversity threats to the GC. (March 1 – April 30 2010)