MPA-U

Principles & Practices for Establishing Resilient MPA Networks – Making it Happen
Description: This training will explore the methods and practices for establishing ecologically based and resilient MPA networks.   It will also cover aspects of scaling up from single site MPAs to networks, such as identifying key stakeholders, prioritizing management issues (identifying their sources and possible solutions), and applying decision support tools to determine suitable management mechanisms.  Case studies on science-based design, building leadership capacity, and financial strategies will be a key aspect of this training.

Upon completion of this training, participants will come away with a broad understanding of MPA networks and be able to identify select assessment and planning tools for developing resilient MPA networks.  Participants will develop key competency to apply the principles and practices to scale-up to MPA networks.

This course is recommended for MPA managers and policy decision makers involved in the planning and implementation of marine protected areas and those who have an interest in designing resilient MPA networks.  Individuals should have knowledge of MPA planning practices and management. 

Course sponsored by:  NOAA/National Ocean Service, International Program Office. For more information, contact: Annie Hillary (Annie.Hillary@noaa.gov) and Gonzalo Cid (Gonzalo.Cid@noaa.gov), 1-301-713-3078, extensions 221 and 131, respectively.

Date and Time: One session; Sunday, 17 May, 08:00 am-17:00; Monday, 18 May 08:00 am-17:00; and Tuesday,
Location: George Mason University, 17 May: Krug Hall 210; 18 and 19 May: Johnson Center Room E
Cost: $25
Capacity: 20

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Governing MPAs - A Guide to Getting the Balance Right (Research Workshop)
Description: It is widely recognised that the management of MPAs involves a combination of both top-down and bottom-up approaches, but what does this mean? This workshop will explore this question with a focus on approaches for addressing the conflicts that MPAs inevitably generate. Such approaches must achieve a balance between providing for meaningful stakeholder participation in MPA decision-making processes whilst also providing for the fulfillment of strategic marine biodiversity conservation objectives. MPA practitioners are engaged in ‘getting the balance right’ and a variety of ‘good practice’ approaches will have been developed that are appropriate to the context of a given MPA. This workshop will present the findings of a systematic and comparative analysis of a representative range of MPA case studies from around the world, with the aim of identifying effective combinations of such approaches (legal, customary, interpretative, economic, proprietorship and knowledge) and assessing their transferability to other MPA contexts. Many participants will have been involved in this project but the participation of other MPA managers and those with a particular interest in the potential of different approaches to addressing MPA conflicts is welcomed. This workshop is a key stage in the IUCN project to develop the manual Governing MPAs – a guide to getting the balance right.

This course is recommended for MPA managers and those with a particular interest in the potential of different MPA management approaches.

Course sponsored by: World Commission on Protected Areas-Marine. For more information, contact: Elizabeth De Santo (edesanto@iucnus.org), (202) 518 2077

Date and Time: Tuesday, 19 May, 08:00 am–12:00
Location: George Mason University, Johnson Center Bistro
Cost: None
Capacity: 20

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Communications Skills for MPA Practitioners
Description: How can we better communicate the science and benefits of MPAs to the media and the public?  This course will help identify communications challenges and discuss communications planning and execution. It will cover messages, audiences, tools and channels including traditional media and “new media.” Case histories of successful MPA communications will be included. Participants will gain knowledge and skills to help them communicate with their publics and the media, and learn of additional resources available to them.

This course is recommended for MPA practitioners seeking to improve communication with the public and the media.

Course sponsored by:  NOAA/Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. For more information, contact:  Sarah Marquis (sarah.marquis@noaa.gov), (949) 222-2212

Date and Time: Session I: Sunday, 17 May 08:00–17:00 and Monday, 18 May 08:00-12:00; lunch on own from
Location: George Mason University, 17 May: Krug Hall 205; 18 and 19 May: Johnson Center Room B
Cost: $25.00
Capacity: 20

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Introduction to Maritime Heritage and Culture in MPAs
Description: The focus of the course is an examination of challenges and opportunities in maritime heritage within MPAs.  Shipwrecks are a major theme, although other submerged cultural resources and issues are also examined. The laws and regulations that govern protection and preservation of maritime heritage resources will be reviewed.  This includes the National Historic Preservation Act (1966), Sunken Military Craft Act (2005), National Marine Sanctuary Act (1972), and other national and international laws and agreements. 

Important questions addressed include the benefits of having maritime heritage sites in an MPA, why they are of value, actions and strategies to identify, and manage maritime heritage resources within MPAs, exploration and discovery initiatives, and recent developments that impact management and planning.  Insights will be provided by several staff members in the Maritime Heritage Program of NOAA’s  Office of National Marine Sanctuaries.    

This course is recommended for all persons who have an interest regardless of their level of experience.

Course sponsored by:  NOAA/Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. For more information, contact: Tim Runyan (tim.runyan@noaa.gov), (252) 902-5455

Date and Time: Session I: Monday, 18 May 08:00–12:00; Session II: Monday, 18 May 13:00 pm–17:00 pm.
Location: George Mason University, Johnson Center Room A
Cost: $25.00
Capacity: 20

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Using Condition Reports to Report MPA Status and Effectiveness
Description: The U.S. National Marine Sanctuary System uses “Condition Reports” to characterize the pressures on resources in each marine sanctuary, their current condition and trends, and management responses to the pressures that threaten the integrity of the marine environment.  The reports contain information on the status and trends of water quality, habitat, living resources and maritime archaeological resources and the human activities that affect them.

This course will consist of interactive sessions to describe and discuss the principles, purposes, and steps involved in producing condition reports.  All of these can be adopted or easily adapted for use in virtually any marine environment, and are particularly suitable for marine protected areas.  Course topics will include:

This course is recommended for MPA resource managers, MPA resource monitoring specialists

Course sponsored by:  NOAA/Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. For more information, contact: Steve Gittings, (steve.gittings@noaa.gov), (301) 713-7274; Kathy Broughton, kathy.broughton@noaa.gov, 301-713-7267

Date and Time: Session I:  Sunday, May 17 8:00 am - 12:00 pm; Session II: Sunday, May 17 13:00-17:00.
Location: George Mason University, Krug Hall 204
Cost: $25.00
Capacity: 20

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Planning for Climate Change in the Coastal and Marine Environment
Description: For marine and coastal managers who want to incorporate considerations for addressing impacts from climate change in their planning processes and create an effective and implementable climate change plan. Climate change planning incorporates many of the principles of ecosystem-based management and integrated coastal zone management, while drawing from a tool chest of complementary adaptation and resiliency strategies.

The centerpiece of this training session will be built around understanding how to assess and evaluate human and coastal resource resiliency including vulnerability to the impacts of both episodic and persistent effects of climate change; identifying resiliency elements and indicators; and, linking resilience indicators, rating systems ad information collection. Based on this foundation, we will then learn how to select and evaluate appropriate adaptation and resiliency strategies to address areas of vulnerability both within the human and natural environment. 

This course is recommended for Marine and coastal managers, hazard managers

Course sponsored by:  NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, Coastal Services Center and Pacific Services Center; University of Rhode Island’s Coastal Resource Center; and BCDC-State of California. For more information, contact  Anne Walton (anne.walton@noaa.gov), (240) 429-4864

Date and Time: One session:  Sunday, 17 May, 08:00-17:00 pm, Monday, 18 May, 08:00-17:00, and Tuesday,
Location: George Mason University, 17 May: Krug Hall 253, 18 and 19 May: Johnson Center Room F
Cost: $25.00
Capacity: 20