I have a lifelong connection to the Oregon Coast. Three\ngenerations of my family traveled each year to vacation near Waldport, and as\nan adult, I traveled multiple times each year to spend time on both the north\nand central coast of Oregon. As I began my fellowship with Oregon Sea Grant, my\noverall goal was to have the opportunity to apply my skills in research,\noutreach, and expanding collaborative partnerships, in ways that will help protect\nand enhance coastal environments and associated human economic and social\nsystems in Oregon. I am happy to say that all of the projects that I worked on\nin 2018-2019, not only gave me this opportunity, but also enriched my academic\nand professional experience in ways that are immeasurable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In November 2018, I began an Oregon Sea Grant Legislative\nFellowship, where I supported the Chair of the Coastal Caucus and members of\nthe Caucus by monitoring, researching, and reporting on legislation and\nlegislative issues affecting marine resources and communities along the Oregon\nCoast. In that role, I also served as a resource for external communications\nwith state agencies, coastal constituents and other key stakeholder groups. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 2019, I began work as an Oregon Sea Grant Natural\nResource Policy Fellow, where I focused on projects with the Oregon Department\nof Environmental Quality (DEQ), the Oregon State Marine Board (OSMB), Oregon\nSea Grant (OSG), and other partners. In this collaborative environment, I\nhelped to develop project scopes and plans, implemented research, and communicate\nfindings on several (new to me) areas of interest. My research projects ranged\nfrom understanding the use of copper in anti-fouling boat paint and potential aquatic\nimpacts in both freshwater and marine environments; the role of synthetic\nfibers and the pathways of fibers in local and nearshore aquatic systems; the\ndevelopment of marine invasive species outreach materials for marina and\nboatyard operators; to a GIS project that helped to identify potential\ncontamination point-sources to existing water systems (e.g., aquifers, WWTPs\nand outflows, well fields and surface drinking water systems). Last, but not\nleast, one of my most rewarding projects was assisting with the coordination, development,\nand implementation of various administrative and mentorship aspects for\nstudents participating in the 2019 Oregon Applied Sustainability Experience\n(OASE) program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to vastly\nexpanding my knowledge and experience in areas outside of my initial scope of\nexpertise (ie. copper in anti-fouling boat paint, aquatic impacts of copper\ntoxicity, scope of microfibers (plastics) in nearshore and marine environments,\nimpacts of novel marine invasive species, etc.), my fellowship helped me to develop\nnew skills in informal and formal communications; sharing complex and technical\ninformation to a varied audience; exploring impacts and implementation\nstrategies for state agencies when researching and applying laws, rules, and\nregulations; and, understanding that political aptitude is a vital component to\nthe successful completion of environmental projects. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a member of the Community\nof Practice Oregon Sea Grant group, I look forward to continuing my personal\nand professional relationships with other OSG Fellows, Scholars, and grant\nrecipients, and I will always be thankful for my experiences as an Oregon Sea\nGrant Natural Resource Policy Fellow.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I have a lifelong connection to the Oregon Coast. Three generations of my family traveled each year to vacation near Waldport, and as an adult, I traveled multiple times each year to spend time on both the north and central … Continue reading