Volunteer Programs. Promoting Public Understanding, Support & Stewardship of the Channel Islands Marine Protected Areas

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1 Volunteer Programs Promoting Public Understanding, Support & Stewardship of the Channel Islands Marine Protected Areas By: Julie Bursek Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary

2 Channel Islands MPA Network Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary Marine Protected Area education and outreach programs raise public awareness and understanding of the MPA network within the sanctuary and to enhance compliance with MPA regulations.

3 Channel Islands MPA Network Role of Education & Outreach Increase awareness to promote understanding and support of Channel Islands MPA Network Develop effective communication strategies for different audiences Enhance Compliance through interpretive enforcement Develop a personal sense of ownership and responsibility

4 Channel Islands MPA Volunteer Programs Sanctuary Advisory Council Marine Reserves Working Group Sanctuary Education Team Sanctuary Enforcement Working Group Channel Islands Naturalist Corp Interpretation on whale watch vessels and outreach events Adopt-A-Business Program

5 Office of National Marine Sanctuaries S A N C T U A R Y A D V I S O R Y C O U N C I L Advise the Sanctuary Superintendent on: Protecting natural and cultural resources, and identifying and evaluating emergent or critical issues involving Sanctuary use or resources Identifying and realizing the Sanctuary's research objectives Identifying and realizing educational opportunities to increase the public knowledge and stewardship of the Sanctuary environment Assisting to develop an informed constituency to increase awareness and understanding of the purpose and value of the Sanctuary and the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries

6 Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary S A N C T U A R Y A D V I S O R Y C O U N C I L Voting Seats Business Chumash Community US Department of Defense Tourism Public At-Large (2 seats) California Resources Agency Conservation National Marine Fisheries Service California Coastal Commission Research National Park Service California Dept. of Fish & Game Comm l Fishing Minerals Management Service Ventura County Rec. Fishing US Coast Guard Santa Barbara County Education Recreation (non-consumptive) Members and alternates (21 members, 21 alternates) Non-Voting members (4 California Sanctuary Managers) Council Officers (Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary) SAC Working Groups

7 NOAA Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary Sanctuary Superintendent S A N C T U A R Y A D V I S O R Y C O U N C I L Conservation Working Group Commercial Fishing Working Group Recreational Fishing Working Group Sanctuary Education Team Research Activities Panel Chumash Community Public Input (May 2004)

8 Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary S A N C T U A R Y A D V I S O R Y C O U N C I L Current and Recent Council Issues Whale Ship Collisions Marine Reserves Management Ocean Acidification Acoustics Science Aquaculture Policy Wind/Wave Energy Education & Outreach Shipping: Port Access Route Study External Support for Sanctuary Mission Oil Spill Exercise

9 Channel Islands MPA Outreach Timeline Sanctuary Education Team (SET) conducts needs assessment in preparation for MPA outreach (before designation) 2002 SET Matrix Created 2003 Began creating different products to inform public about rules and regulations of newly designated state marine zones within CINMS Re-tooled products to include new Federal MPA map graphics

10 Ptalk Outline SET Matrix Audience Needs Assessment

11 Channel Islands Marine Protected Area Map Graphic

12 Individual Island Maps

13 Inset Maps Inset maps created for each island to provide full view of each marine zone GPS coordinates are included for each marine zone

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16 Targeted Audience Brochures Targets Boaters Mailed to all registered boaters in Ventura County (~25,000). Additional 3300 copies distributed to boaters in Santa Barbara Harbor Distributed at boat shows and by Park Rangers

17 Channel Islands MPA Signs

18 Delivery Methods For Channel Islands MPA Information Most printed materials are downloadable from the CINMS web site, along with the digital lab. gov CINC volunteers distribute brochures and posters at public forums, teacher workshops, aboard whale watch and Channel Island transportation vessels and at public events. Adopt A Business Program

19 5 Week Training Program Sanctuary and park resource protection programs Interpretive techniques overview of the physical, biological, and cultural aspects of the Santa Barbara Channel and Channel Islands Training manual consists of 15 chapters including information on the Channel Islands MPAs Channel Islands Naturalist Corp Volunteer Interpreter Program Educate 500,000 people annually In 2011 CINC received the Take Pride in America Award that honors excellence in volunteerism

20 Summary Public Input Important Conduct a Needs Assessment and Prioritize Audiences Long-term Investment Develop Multi-pronged Distribution Approaches

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