Engagement

CMSI in collaboration with California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), is supporting three postdoc positions in the science of adaptive management of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). The State of California has implemented a network of 124 MPAs along its coastline through the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA). It is in the process of developing a Statewide MPA Monitoring Program to inform the adaptive management of this network of MPAs. The three postdoctoral fellows have been focusing on a separate component of the science of adaptive management in an integrated program supported by frequent collaborative meetings with both UCD and CDFW mentors. As part of the expanded science-management collaboration in support of long-term statewide monitoring of MPAs, these postdocs provide a unique opportunity to work at the academia-agency interface and advance the science of adaptive management in the context of one of the world’s most extensive MPA networks. 

The National Science Foundation Research Traineeship (NRT), “Sustainable Oceans: From Policy to Science to Decisions” program will train the next generation of marine scientists under a new paradigm that puts the policy focus on the front-end of the research and training enterprise as a means of building more effective links between the science and decisions on sustainable use of living marine resources.

CMSI has partnered with the Delta Science Program (DSP)/Delta Stewardship Council to develop symposia focused on San Francisco-Bay Delta, with the goal of engaging policy makers and developing a use-inspired research agenda. Joint Science Symposia and Workshops have focused on topics ranging from salmon and climate variability, contaminants and multiple stressors, managed relocation and science communication.

The John & Mary Lousie Riley Seminar Series- The public is invited to BML’s seasonal weekly seminars, 4:00 p.m., select Wednesdays, in the BML Lecture Hall (unless otherwise noted). These talks are open to the public. Scientists from outside BML are invited to present their latest research and meet with BML residents and graduate students. The seminars are also live-streamed to the conference space in CMSI for the campus community.

The Coastal and Marine Sciences Institute Bodega Marine Laboratory's exhibit at UC Davis Picnic Day continues to connect BML to the campus community. For some students, Picnic Day has led to coursework and study at BML as part of their education. Picnic Day is the largest student-run event in the United States and is the annual Open House for UC Davis with over 50,000 visitors annually.

Bodega Marine Sciences Association (BMSA) is a group of students, researchers, staff, faculty, and volunteers of the Bodega Marine Laboratory community. BMSA raises funds through apparel sales to help students pay for travel grants to scientific meetings all over the country where they present their research, interact with other researchers, and learn about the latest developments in their field. BMSA members organize and volunteer at local community events, such as the annual Bodega Bay Fisherman’s Festival, Coastal Cleanup Day, and planned work days for invasive species removal. BMSA works with local high school and community college students at the BML to engage them in marine science first-hand, mentoring students on how to conduct scientific research in the lab and in the field. 

The Coastal and Marine Sciences Institute Bodega Marine Laboratory (BML) is committed to public education and outreach through our active docent program and exquisite aquaria, tidal mesocosm, and a variety of interpretive displays. Public drop-in tours are available most Fridays, 2:00-4:00 PM, for groups of less than 10 people. Group tours may be scheduled by appointment on other weekdays.

BML scientists opened their labs to the public in Sept 2014, for our fourth Open House. Over 1,300 people attended the event, receiving demonstrations and information from 120 enthusiastic scientists, staff, students and volunteers. Exhibits provided visitors with answers to questions ranging from "why is the ocean so cold" to the ecological importance of eelgrass beds. Hands-on experiences included tidepool animals, quizzes, microscopic identification of plankton and crafting kelp mobiles.

BML contributes to the Bodega Bay community by volunteering assistance at the annual Bodega Bay Fisherman's Festival, a two-day community event that hosts 25,000 visitors annually. In addition to providing the children's touch tidepool and offering shuttle tours of BML, faculty, staff and students manage and sell beverages with proceeds going to the community. Each year features a different theme, and a "Bathtub Race", setting the aquatic stage for themed floating vessels for which BML has won trophies for fastest and best-decorated "bathtub".

Donations from individuals who share concern for the oceans are needed to keep CMSI and BML leading the state and nation at addressing critical issues that face the coast and the sea, and allow us to promote ocean issues to the public.