Community-Based Monitoring: Observing Alaska's Coasts and Oceans

Hotel Captain Cook
Anchorage, Alaska
April 1–2, 2014

Contact: Meeting coordinator, seagrant.meetings@alaska.edu

Three out of four Alaskans live either on the state's coastline or along rivers. Alaskans understand the dynamic nature of our coasts and river watersheds and depend on the long-term health of these resources for food, recreation and economic value. Climate change has hit Alaska hard, and the accelerated pace of change has heightened interest in local observations.

This two-day workshop was a gathering place and launching pad to identify and respond to common issues for CBM in Alaska. Participants heard from model programs, clarified top priorities for funders and community members, developed a set of guidance documents—including Best Practices and Lessons Learned—and networked with others across the state who are interested in or are actively doing this work. See links below and at left for more information.

The Alaska Community-Based Monitoring website, an outcome of this workshop, offers information and resources for observers, program coordinators, and funders.

The Atlas of Community-Based Monitoring in a Changing Arctic offers more information on monitoring programs in Alaska and the Arctic.