Division of
Science and Environmental Policy


B.S. in
 Biology
 

Research & Partnerships

Seafloor Mapping Lab
Coastal/Submarine Geomorphology; Watershed Restoration
Institute for Applied Marine Ecology (IAME)
NASA Ames Cooperative Agreement
The Watershed Institute
Elephant Seal Curriculum
CSUMB High Frequency Radar Project
National Ocean Economics Program (NOEP)

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Many faculty members in SEP are conducting grant-funded research and education projects in various fields related to our ESSP and CWSP programs. Faculty members develop community partnerships and utilize the most up-to-date research techniques and outreach strategies. They also provide unique hands-on opportunities for collaborative student research and education/outreach in a variety of communities. Below are a listing, descriptions, and links to current research and education/outreach projects.

Seafloor Mapping Lab (SFML)
Dr. Rikk Kvitek, Principal Investigator

The Seafloor Mapping Lab (SFML), within the Division of Science and Environmental Policy at California State University, Monterey Bay, specializes in high-resolution acoustic remote sensing for coastal habitats. Combining research and education with state-of-the-art geospatial technology, the SFML offers unique hands-on, field-to-finish experience to students while conducting professional habitat mapping surveys for resource management and basic research along the continental margins.

Central Coast Watershed Studies (CCoWS)
Dr. Fred Watson, Dr Doug Smith, Dr Marc Los Huertos Principal Investigators

The Central Coast Watershed Studies (CCoWS) team is part of the Watershed Institute at California State University, Monterey Bay. The goal of CCoWS is to conduct watershed research that supports land management both in California's Central Coast region and in the world in general.

Coastal/Submarine Geomorphology; Watershed Restoration
Dr. Douglas Smith, Principal Investigator

Marine Landscape Ecology Lab
Dr Corey Garza, Principal Investigator

Research in the Marine Landscape Ecology Lab focuses on the use of geospatial technologies to study the relationship between habitat complexity and patterns of species distribution and abundance in nearshore subtidal and intertidal marine communities. An emphasis is placed on the integration of questions and techniques derived from the fields of marine ecology, spatial statistics and landscape ecology to address marine ecological and environmental issues at local and regional scales.

Institute for Applied Marine Ecology
James Lindholm, Principal Investigator

The Institute for Applied Marine Ecology (IAME), within the Division of Science and Environmental Policy at California State University, Monterey Bay, specializes in the conduct of robust ecological science designed to directly inform policy and management efforts at Federal, State, and local levels. Faculty and students collaborate on field projects using a variety of technologies, including remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), acoustic telemetry, towed camera sleds, and SCUBA. Research topics include the design of new marine reserves, the evaluation of existing marine reserves, and the recovery of seafloor habitats following the cessation of bottom trawling. The IAME maintains close relationships with managers and policy makers to insure a direct pipeline from science to policy and management for each project that its scientists undertake.

Ecosystem Electronics Lab
Steve Moore, Principal Investigator

The EEL lab develops custom electronic and robotic systems to assist local schools, agencies, and other organizations with ecosystem monitoring, research, and education.

National Ocean Economics Program
Judith Kildow, Principal Investigator

As a result of the NOAA Oceans 2000 Initiative, NOEP was funded to provide useful data on ocean-related economic activities and resource trends to government, businesses, and individuals as investment and management decisions are made. Its goal is to attempt to balance conservation and growth in coastal areas.

NASA Ames Cooperative Agreement
Dr Susan Alexander, Principal Investigator

Ecosystem Science and Visualization
Dr. Fred Watson and Dr. Susan Alexander, Principal Investigators

Watershed Institute @ CSUMB

The Watershed Institute consists of a direct action community-based coalition of researchers, restoration ecologists, educators, planners, students, and volunteers. These participants all work to promote and employ a systems approach to the management of watersheds around the world.

Moro Cojo Slough Project - Applied Learning
Dr. Suzanne Worcester, Dr. Swarup Wood, Dr. Renée Perry, and Dr. Henrik Kibak: Principal Investigators

The goal of the Moro Cojo Slough Project is to encourage freshmen and sophomore college students to become involved in applied research. By doing scientific research early in their college careers, we hope that students will have a greater understanding of what science is and also become more motivated to do science in the future. By involving students in research on a locally-relevant, applied project, we hope to also motivate their interest in designing and completing high quality projects. Through the National Science Foundation's Course Curriculum and Laboratory Improvement program, we received funding to make these changes in our undergraduate curriculum.

Elephant Seal Curriculum
Dr. Henrik Kibak, Dr. Chris Hasegawa, Dr. Ernesto Franco: Principal Investigators

This NSF-funded science education project is centered around a continuously updated database of images and environmental data from a seal rookery. Raw data, multimedia instructional materials, and background information in English and Spanish is provided to students internationally via the World Wide Web.

CSUMB High Frequency Radar Project
Dr. Dan Fernandez, Principal Investigator

The CSUMB HF Radar Project is part of the Innovative Coastal-Ocean Network (ICON). ICON is a component of the National Ocean Partnership Program, created by the 1997 National Ocean Partnership Act to foster effective collaborations between government, academic, and industry partners in marine science and technology.

Camp SEA Lab

Camp SEA Lab provides marine oriented programs that promote science, education and adventure for youth, their families and teachers. Drawing from diverse populations Camp SEA Lab fosters excitement, scientific understanding and stewardship of our coast and oceans. Camp SEA Lab offers unique and innovative activities where the mysteries of the oceans are revealed through hands-on activities above, beside and below the water's surface.

Return of the Natives (RON) Restoration Education Project
Laura Lee Lienk, Coordinator

Return Of the Natives is a community and school based environmental education project dedicated to involving students (Kindergarten through University) in native plant and habitat restoration projects in the schoolyard and the community led by Laura Lee Lienk. RON activities include school-based native plant gardens, nature areas, and greenhouses, as well as, large-scale habitat restoration and native plant landscaping projects in parks and open spaces in the Monterey Bay Area.

2 Sep 2008 Webmaster