Introduction - Grand Bay National Estuarine Research...

Coastal Training Program

Coastal Training Program2013-2018 Program Strategy

Introduction

This document updates the strategic plan of the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve’s (GNDNERR) Coastal Training Program (CTP). Grand Bay’s CTP Program Strategy continues to reflect local needs and priorities identified through assessments of, and interactions with, decision-makers working in the coastal region of Mississippi and guidance from GNDNERR Coastal Training Program partners. The future vision of the program has been refined to reflect lessons learned and build upon program successes since its establishment in 2004. It is designed to be guided by adaptive management principles and informed by regular market analyses and needs assessments (formal and informal) that allow for nimble reaction to emerging decision-maker needs and changing coastal conditions.

Program Context

The primary market for the Grand Bay CTP includes decision-makers working in Mississippi’s six southern-most counties. Three of these counties are located directly along the 75-mile stretch of Mississippi’s coastline and the additional three lie directly to the north. Mississippi’s central location along the northern Gulf coast has produced a secondary market for the Grand Bay CTP of coastal decision-makers living and working in coastal Louisiana, Alabama, and Florida.

The primary goal of Grand Bay’s CTP is to foster informed decision-making and resource management by transferring relevant science-based information, tools, and skills to targeted audiences whose actions influence the viability of Mississippi’s coastal resources. Since 2004, over 4,000 coastal decision-makers and resource managers (representing city, county, state and federal governments and agencies, non-governmental organizations, private industry, academia, and community groups) have attended CTP trainings and events. Topics have included stormwater management, grant writing, wetland plant and soil identification, coastal community resilience, geographic information systems with a coastal focus, and sustainable development.

A regional partnership with the other four Gulf of Mexico NERRs through the Gulf of Mexico Alliance has been instrumental to addressing common coastal issues in a consistent manner across the Gulf on topics including living shorelines, climate change, community resilience, and science communication.

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2013-2018 Program StrategySubmitted to NOAA March 2013

Ecological and Social Context

Comprised of approximately 18,000 acres, the boundaries of the Reserve are found chiefly within the Grand Bay National Wildlife Refuge and the Grand Bay Savanna Coastal Preserve. Diverse wetland habitats are found within the Reserve and include both tidal and non-tidal areas such as pine savannas, salt marshes, saltpans, bays, and bayous as well as terrestrial habitats that are unique to the coastal zone such as maritime forests.

Healthy estuarine salt marshes and fire-maintained pine savannas are some of the most productive and biodiverse habitats in North America. The Reserve is fortunate enough to contain considerable amounts of both of these types of habitats which support many important species of fish and wildlife. Commercially and recreationally important species of finfish and shellfish such as brown shrimp, speckled trout, and oysters are found in the salt marshes. Many species of carnivorous plants and orchids can be found in the savanna habitats. Sea turtles, bottlenose dolphin and, on occasion, manatees can be found in the deeper waters of the Reserve.

Residents of coastal Mississippi rely on the natural environment for the positive economic and social benefits it provides. Mississippi’s nutrient rich coastal waters support strong shrimping and fishing industries and the white-sand beaches attract tourists and seasonal residents from across the United States. As such, a growth industry in environmental management has developed along Mississippi’s coast supporting ecotourism and fisheries operations.

The benefits the Gulf of Mexico provides do not come without risks, and coastal residents have dealt with both natural and technological disasters in recent years. Storms such as Camille (1969) and Katrina (2005) are infamous examples of the devastation Gulf waters can inflict on Mississippi’s coastal residents. Oil rich coastal areas dotted with drilling platforms boost the local economy by providing jobs, while at the same time their presence means there is a risk of events like that of the BP Oil spill (2010) occurring.

Economic recovery post-Katrina has been slow. Destruction of homes and businesses by the hurricane and storm surge forced many coastal residents to move inland or to other states to find work. Coastal areas are being re-built, but there are long stretches of property along the coast where houses and businesses once stood that still remain empty. Changes to building codes and local ordinances post-Katrina, coupled with an increased awareness within the local citizenry of the importance for resilient coastal development practices, provide a unique opportunity for the Grand Bay CTP to develop partnerships with and provide coastal resilience trainings to decision-makers within coastal communities.

A challenge Mississippi’s low-lying coastal communities continue to face is in the adaptation of existing critical infrastructure, such as stormwater management systems, to the slowly rising sea levels. Increasingly tidal waters are flowing up storm drains, impacting their ability to function during regular storm events and causing localized flooding. Recognition of the need to

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be prepared is slowly emerging among coastal decision-makers. In 2011 Mississippi’s Department of Marine Resources (GNDNERR’s state agency partner) commissioned a report entitled “Assessment of Sea Level Rise in Coastal Mississippi” (http://www.dmr.ms.gov/images/cmp/2011-slr-final.pdf).

Natural disasters are not the only source of risk to our environment and coastal communities as the BP oil spill in April 2010 proved. The impact of the oil spill on the local tourism and fisheries industries is still being evaluated, but the social implications were serious leaving many distraught over the potential outcomes. With the high number of oil wells located along the northern Gulf Coast, in addition to oil refineries, power plants, and other chemical plants, other man-made incidents are likely to occur.

As a source of professional training, and a platform for delivery of locally relevant science to coastal resource managers and decision-makers, the Grand Bay NERR’s CTP continues to play an important role along Mississippi’s Gulf coast, and through adaptive program management, will remain relevant long into the future.

Current and Anticipated Partnerships

Building and maintaining partnerships is critical to the success of Grand Bay’s CTP. Partners play a variety of roles in the development, planning, and implementation of CTP events including providing funds, speakers, venues, and logistical support. Many of the CTP partners are included on the Advisory Committee (Appendix A) and provide insight into the direction of the Program as well as what trainings and workshops their stakeholders may need.

The GNDNERR CTP has worked with other NERRs to utilize technical assistance and apply for various funding opportunities. Through these partnerships, Gulf of Mexico CTP—the Weeks Bay, Apalachicola, Mission-Aransas, Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserves—have worked together to obtain funding and offer regional programming. Most recently, the Coordinators of these CTP received funding from Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant for a “Gulf of Mexico Coastal Training Program Initiative for Resilient Communities”. This funding is currently being used to assist communities in the Gulf of Mexico to increase their awareness of the threat posed by coastal storms and to improve their preparedness, ability to weather, and capability to respond to these events. Over the next five years, the Gulf of Mexico NERR CTPs will continue to partner with one another to pool resources and expertise and provide effective and relevant programming.

Grand Bay CTP also works with other groups within NOAA and other partners including the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Weeks Bay NERR, Weeks Bay Foundation, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Coastal Services Center, NOAA Gulf Coast Services Center, NOAA Coastal Storms Program, Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant,

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http://www.dmr.ms.gov/images/cmp/2011-slr-final.pdf



Mississippi State University Coastal Research and Extension Center, Gulf of Mexico Alliance and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Gulf of Mexico Program.

Currently the Grand Bay’s CTP is anticipating future partnership opportunities to develop with the Fish and Wildlife Service’s (FWS) Mississippi Coastal Program, Department of Interior National Conservation Training Center, NOAA Gulf of Mexico Disaster Response Center, Gulf Coast Climate Community of Practice, and other local, regional, and national agencies and organizations.

Contribution to Vision, Mission and Goals of Grand Bay NERR

According to the Grand Bay NERR 2013 Management Plan, the vision of the Grand Bay NERR is that “Coastal ecosystems of the Gulf of Mexico will be conserved and valued” with a mission to: “practice and promote informed stewardship of Grand Bay NERR and Mississippi coastal resources through innovative research, education, and training.” (Grand Bay NERR 2013)

Grand Bay’s CTP will help move the Reserve’s mission forward by aligning the Program to the Reserve’s long-term programmatic outcome goals, as defined in Section XIV of the Grand Bay NERR 2013 Management Plan:

Goal 1: Enhance Grand Bay NERR’s role as a distinguished center for estuarine research, sound conservation and resource management.

Goal 2: Scientific understanding and knowledge informs the management of coastal resources and ecosystems.

Goal 3: Local communities appreciate and value the significance of coastal ecosystems.

Goal 4: Local communities will make improved science-based decisions regarding management of coastal resources and watersheds.

In keeping with the Reserve’s vision and mission, Grand Bay’s CTP strives to provide science-based information to decision-makers within local communities, which increases understanding of coastal management issues. CTP staff will work closely with the Reserve’s Research, Stewardship, and Education sectors to develop trainings and workshops that are timely and relevant to the Program. In the past, the various sectors of the Grand Bay NERR have partnered to offer trainings to coastal communities. All Coordinators are often recruited to provide presentations during workshops that offer a “local” view on the topic at hand. Teaming up with the Education Coordinator, CTP has offered numerous science seminars and communications trainings, and would often recruit experts that would speak to both decision-makers and community members in order to provide a workshop for the Education and CTP sectors. CTP has also teamed up with the Stewardship and Research Coordinators to offer Geographic

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Information Systems workshops, host the Research Symposium, and obtain funding to create a Disaster Response Plan for the Reserve. Whenever possible, CTP trainings will also incorporate the ecosystems of the Reserve, research projects and results taking place at the Reserve, and projects that Reserve staff are working on. The partnership and close communication among all sectors will continue as it benefits and ensures the success of all sectors.

Grand Bay CTP Five Year Vision

Aligned with the 2013 Grand Bay NERR Management Plan, the CTP “fosters informed decision-making and resource management across the coastal landscape by enhancing the decision-making abilities of professional audiences whose actions influence the management of natural resources along the north-central Gulf Coast”. The main goals of GNDNERR CTP are:

Goal 1. Decision-makers will recognize CTP as a reliable source of information and skill-building opportunities.

Goal 2. Decision-makers will recognize that their actions and decisions impact Mississippi’s coastal resources.

Goal 3. Decision-makers will utilize CTP products and services to make decisions about challenging coastal management issues.

Goal 4. Decision-makers will increase the diversity of professional contacts and opportunities for collaboration through participation in CTP activities.

The overarching Grand Bay CTP vision is given in the Program’s logic model (Appendix B). It provides a simple graphic representation of the goals that drive the program’s activities towards the intended short-, mid-, and long-term outcomes. Over the next five years the Grand Bay CTP will work in a variety of ways to achieve the program’s goal of fostering informed decision-making and resource management by transferring relevant science-based information, tools, and skill-building opportunities to targeted audiences whose actions influence the viability of Mississippi’s coastal resources through tasks aimed at meeting the four program objectives.

Objective 1. The CTP staff will assist local communities by providing at least eight timely and relevant trainings each year that meet the scientific and skill needs of local decision-makers, resource managers, local communities, and the public.

Actions: Offer training opportunities that meet the needs of local audiences, fulfill the

goals and focus area priorities of the GNDNERR 2013 Management Plan, and highlight the Reserve’s habitats, monitoring programs, and projects.

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Provide at least three workshops and/or training events each year that feature local coastal environmental systems science and research for coastal decision makers, particularly the unique habitats around the Reserve.

Provide at least three trainings each year that focus on sustainable coastal development practices, including case studies and lessons learned whenever possible for coastal decision makers.

Facilitate a bi-annual Grand Bay Research Symposium highlighting Grand Bay research and monitoring efforts with researchers, coastal resource managers and the public.

Provide advisory services and assist coastal communities so they can better address local resource management issues.

Objective 2: The CTP staff will evaluate trainings to ensure that 75% of local decision-makers have demonstrated an increased understanding and are using the information to better manage and integrate new skills, knowledge, and perspectives into their work.

Actions: Utilize the feedback from Needs Assessments, post-event evaluations, and mid-

term follow-up surveys on a continuous basis to identify program successes, lessons learned, and new opportunities for advanced information and skill-based training.

Objective 3. The CTP staff will effectively communicate to keep local audiences and partners up-to-date about the Grand Bay NERR and reach out to new audiences in order to increase the number of new participants attending CTP workshops by 10% each year.

Actions: Distribute and present the results of Grand Bay NERR-related training and

Reserve research, stewardship, and education projects to applicable resource management audiences and decision-makers at various meetings.

Maintain the GNDNERR Web site so that viewers are aware of upcoming CTP events and also have access to information about the Reserve.

Contribute at least one peer-reviewed education/ training project for publication over five years and contribute to reports and articles on training project/ techniques for publication on an annual basis.

Present at local government meetings and to professional organizations relating to CTP activities and Reserve.

Inform the public of activities through the MDMR and Grand Bay NERR newsletters.

Objective 4. The CTP staff will increase partnerships by 10% each year in order to recruit experts to provide technical assistance when organizing workshops and events and to recruit new individuals from local audiences to attend training sessions.

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Actions: Serve on at least two relevant technical advisory committees, panels, or boards

and seek out expert trainers, researchers, and partners to provide technical assistance when organizing workshops and events.

Develop an agenda for each training session that encourages and facilitates networking between attendees.

Offer at least two training events each year that are targeted at diverse audiences to encourage networking opportunities.

Seek partners to co-sponsor workshops by providing meeting space, access to expert speakers, meeting facilitation, or lodging for participants.

Priority Audiences

The Grand Bay CTP’s primary priority audiences are local officials and staff, natural resource managers, and coastal scientists who work in coastal Mississippi. For the purposes of this document local officials and staff are considered to be individuals that serve in elected, appointed, or administrative capacity at the town, municipal, county, state or federal level. Natural resource managers are those individuals who are tasked with the conservation, restoration, and management of natural areas and are responsible for the plant and animal species found within those areas. Coastal scientists are considered to be those individuals who conduct scientific research within coastal areas in disciplines including but not limited to: geography, geology, archeology, marine biology, ecology, botany, ornithology, entomology, hydrology, and climatology.

Most CTP audience members share the ability to make or influence decisions that affect coastal resources through land use, infrastructure, and economic development decisions. The Grand Bay CTP seeks to identify key knowledge gaps that impede informed decision making and offer training events that will fill or bridge these gaps. Training events and educational products that are organized for these audiences may also benefit secondary audiences such as educators, ecotourism operators, volunteers, and engaged citizens.

Priority Issues and Training Needs

Priority training issues for the Grand Bay CTP are driven by the needs of its audiences (see Appendix C for list of training events from 2004-2012). These needs are identified through formal and informal needs assessments, feedback from CTP events, local partner events and general coastal management issues in Mississippi.

According to the Grand Bay NERR 2013 Management Plan, the Reserve has three focus areas: climate change, habitat protection and water quality. Related to CTP, the priorities for these

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focus areas are as follows: Climate change: Work with citizens and their communities to communicate a

message that addresses understanding, adapting and mitigating potential impacts of climate change.

Habitat protection: Develop partnerships to implement comprehensive management of resources, addressing acquisition, restoration and enhancement, resource protection, public access and resource manipulation; and Communicate the issues relating to Reserve threats and sharing information with citizens and their communities regarding best practices to manage and protect coastal resources.

Water quality: Communicate water quality conditions at the Reserve and issues relating to maintaining water quality to citizens and their communities

An informal CTP Needs Assessment Survey was conducted in 2011 (Appendix D), in conjunction with Weeks Bay NERR to determine training needs of coastal stakeholders. The majority of stakeholders surveyed worked for a state agency, business or business association, non-profit, federal agency, or university or college. Survey respondents were asked to rank various training opportunities based on their level of current knowledge, interest, and need for training.

In the category of coastal leadership and stakeholder engagement, respondents indicated that training was most needed in communicating more effectively (e.g., message design, marketing strategies, word choice) and project planning (e.g., setting goals, determining objectives, identifying expected outcomes, developing strategic partnerships). In the category of coastal resources management, respondents said that training was most needed in wetland protection and/or restoration (e.g., functioning of wetlands, techniques for restoration) and coastal processes (e.g., erosion, accretion, and subsidence). Related to coastal development, participants said that training was most needed in: shoreline stabilization alternatives (e.g., beach nourishment, sea walls, living shorelines, etc.), green infrastructure (networks of natural areas set aside to enhance water and air quality), and GIS (including land use mapping, coastal inundation mapping, green infrastructure mapping) topics. Lastly, related to coastal hazards, respondents’ answers varied but, overall, most responded that more training was need about erosion and sediment control and climate change impacts.

Respondents were also asked what topics they could use training on right now. The top responses are listed below in order of priority:

1. Geographic Information Systems

2. Grant Writing3. Shoreline

Stabilization/Restoration4. Stormwater Management

5. Wetland Protection & Restoration

6. Climate Change Impacts7. Coastal Processes8. Project Planning &

Evaluation 9. Wetland Delineation

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Topics such as effective communication, nutrient loading, conservation easements, floodplain management, invasive species identification, oil spill, stakeholder engagement, and wetland mitigation and regulation also ranked highly.

Although the list above is comprehensive, the Grand Bay NERR’s CTP will maintain enough flexibility to prioritize training topics based on changing needs and/or to address emerging issues that may not be reflected by this list. When planning events, Grand Bay NERR’s CTP will also take steps to include relevant Grand Bay NERR research to ensure the transfer of reserve science to management. A critical component of future trainings designed for decision-makers will be to link the importance of local policy, planning, and resource management decisions to the viability of coastal resources which, in turn promotes conservation and cultivates community resilience.

Emerging Issue: Preparing for Climate Change

Climate change is a topic that has begun to receive more interest from Grand Bay CTP audiences (Appendix D). The Grand Bay NERR and several Reserve partners are involved in climate change research and monitoring projects designed to better understand how the landscape has changed and will continue to change over time. Results of research and monitoring utilizing surface elevation tables, tide gauges, geotechnology and land cover change maps in conjunction with other Reserve research, will be used to inform local decision maker audiences about changes happening along the northern Gulf coast. The Reserve is also acting as a Sentinel Site in two climate initiatives, one NERRs wide program and one NOAA wide program, which brings more visibility and lends more credibility to climate related data gathered here. The Grand Bay CTP, through a variety of platforms, will share the results of this research and monitoring with management audiences.

Program Marketing

Building and maintaining a strong brand – The process for creating a successful program brand requires strategic planning, periodic updates and attention to detail. Grand Bay’s CTP brand has recently been updated to remain in keeping with the GNDNERRs updated brand that was created to fit with the look of the Reserve’s recently redesigned website. The CTP logo is displayed prominently on event flyers, agendas, binder covers, materials (as appropriate), and email announcements.

Additionally, templates have been created for event advertising. By utilizing a consistent format for flyers and email announcements, target audience members will recognize that the event is hosted by the Grand Bay CTP program before they see the logo or read the information. Flyer format has been designed with the perspective of potential participants in mind. Key information such as date, location, time, objectives, contact

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information, and target audience are highlighted, so important details are easily accessed.

Email announcements – Event marketing is primarily done through email announcements. An overwhelming majority of CTP event participants report in post-event evaluations that they heard about the event via an email announcement. The 2011 Needs Assessment data backs this up with 100% of the participants reporting they prefer to receive announcements through email. The CTP maintains an event email list (around 1,000 contacts) and sends announcements to other local and regional groups who in turn, advertise the event through their listservs.

Web site – Results of GNDNERR CTP 2011 Needs Assessments (Appendix D) and participant feedback have made it clear that members of our target audience prefer to access event information, registration, and submit payments online. To meet this need we currently maintain two means of online event registration. First, the CTP has a dedicated portion of the GNDNERR website for event advertising and registration for free events (www.grandbaynerr.org/training). Second, to handle registration for events that have a fee, the GNDNERR CTP utilizes Cvent, an online event registration platform. Access to this website has been made possible through support from the National Estuarine Research Reserve Association (NERRA).

Advertising strategies vary slightly with the topic and audience for individual events and workshops. Often the CTP will partner with other agencies to promote events. In such cases discipline specific organizations may post the event announcement on their website and/or email the announcement to their members. The CTP has also begun working with the American Planning Association to offer continuing education credits to members participating in select events (also made possible through support from NERRA).

Training Delivery Methods

Both results from Grand Bay CTP Needs Assessments (2011, 2008, and 2005) and event participant feedback indicate a strong preference for single day workshops or seminars that include hands-on activities, demonstrations and/or site visits. Whenever possible this format will be followed, but in order to provide a variety of options and opportunities for training, half- and multi-day events will continue to be offered. The 2011 Needs Assessment (Appendix D) indicated that more than half of stakeholders that were surveyed were willing to drive 60 or more miles to attend training sessions. This evaluation also indicated that the factors that weigh most heavily in their choice to attend a training program include the topic, schedule, speakers, and cost.

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http://www.grandbaynerr.org/training



An emerging format for training is through webinars which may help recruit participants that might not have the time or travel budget to attend an in-person workshop. The Grand Bay CTP has explored the utility of this training format by hosting on-site lunch-and-learn webinar viewing events followed by local speakers who share additional information and/or live demonstrations. In post-event evaluations this method of training was rated quite highly. In the future the program will continue to test the viability of this platform for meeting audience training and information needs through projects supported by regional partnerships with the other Gulf of Mexico NERRs, the Gulf of Mexico Alliance, NOAAs Gulf of Mexico Coastal Storms Program, and the Gulf of Mexico Climate Community of Practice.

Program Monitoring and Evaluation

National CTP performance measures administered as part of post-event evaluations will be used to assess achievement of short-term outcomes. Mid- and long-term outcomes will be collected through surveys, informal exchanges, and unsolicited feedback and will be shared through outcome statements and success stories. Short-, mid- and long-term outcomes will be reported regularly and as required through the online NERR performance measures database.

Program Administration and Infrastructure

Full time staff for GNDNERR’s CTP includes one program coordinator employed by the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (DMR). Assistance from other Reserve staff and volunteers is available on an “as needed” basis during training events. Current staff resources permit the CTP to provide an average of 8-15 training events per year. Given the existing demand for workshops by multiple target audiences and the increased geographic scope of the program, it will be necessary to seek resources to support additional staff. Program guidance and support is provided by the Grand Bay CTP Advisory Committee (for full list see Appendix A) through meetings, event partnership opportunities, and program marketing.

The GNDNERR staff is housed in the Reserve’s Coastal Resources Center. Completed in 2009 the facility was among the first Gold LEED certified buildings on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The building serves as a venue for CTP workshops and seminars, and as an example of sustainable building practices.

Despite its isolated location in the southeastern corner of MS, at the MS-AL state line, the Reserve’s CTP services audiences across the MS Coast. CTP event attendance records show that participation by local elected officials and staff is generally higher for events that take place at centrally located and easily accessible venues. As such, the Reserve’s CTP will continue to partner with local universities and community colleges to provide meeting space in convenient locations across coastal MS.

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Works Cited

Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (Grand Bay NERR). Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve System Management Plan 2013-2018 (Draft). Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, Moss Point, Mississippi. 114 pp.

Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (Grand Bay NERR). 2012. Coastal Training Program: 2012-2017 Program Strategy (Draft). Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, Moss Point, Mississippi. 14 pp.

Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (Grand Bay NERR). 2005. Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Coastal Training Program: Needs Assessment Report. Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, Moss Point, Mississippi. 33 pp.

Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (Grand Bay NERR). 2003. Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve System Strategic Plan. Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, Moss Point, Mississippi. 4 pp.

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Appendix A: Advisory Committee Members

Background and Membership

The Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve has developed a regional Coastal Training Program (CTP) with funding and guidance from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Estuarine Research Division (ERD). The goals of the CTP are to improve decision-making related to coastal resource management at local and regional levels by providing coastal resource managers with information, tools, and techniques necessary to make informed resource management decisions within their respective fields; increase collaboration across sectors and disciplines related to coastal management issues; and advance comprehension of the environmental, social, and economic consequences of human activity within the coastal landscape.

The reserve’s CTP established an Advisory Committee in 2004 that was composed of (at a minimum) representatives from local/regional Coastal Programs, Sea Grant, and the NERR system. Since 2004, membership on the committee has rotated.

Current CTP Advisory Committee Members

• Jan Boyd- Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (MDMR)• Chris Boyd- Mississippi State University, Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Extension (MASG)• Willa Brantley- MDMR• Margaret Bretz- Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office• Kelly Ferguson- Education and Outreach, US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)• Traci Floyd- Fisheries, MDMR• Meg Goecker- Coastal Ecologist, USFWS• Marian Hanisko- NOAA’s Gulf Coast Services Center (CSC)• Patric Harper - Coastal Program Coordinator, USFWS• Charlie Henry- NOAA’s Office of Response and Restoration• Ali Leggett - Coastal Preserves Program, MDMR• Pamela Marsh- Estuarine Education Center, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College• Christian Miller- MASG, Mobile Bay National Estuary Program • Danny Moss- Refuge Manager, Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge, USFWS• Christine Murrell - Marine Fisheries, MDMR• Coen Perrott- Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality• Melissa Perez- Visitor Services Manager, USFWS• Ben Posadas - Mississippi State University, MASG• Alma Robichaux- Education Coordinator, BTNEP• Tracie Sempier- Coastal Storms Program, MASG • Robert Smith- Wildlife Mississippi Rhonda Price- Office of Coastal Planning and Management, MDMR• Michael Shelton- Weeks Bay NERR• Daphne Viverette - Community Development, City of Moss Point• Lee Yokel - Gulf of Mexico Alliance

Reserve Staff Working with the Advisory Committee

Jennifer Buchanan – Education Coordinator, Grand Bay NERR

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Christina Mohrman- NOAA Environmental Cooperative Science Center David Ruple – Manager, Grand Bay NERR Will Underwood – Stewardship Coordinator, Grand Bay NERR Mark Woodrey – Research Coordinator, Grand Bay NERR

Purpose of the Committee and Responsibilities of Members

The CTP Advisory Committee members meet and/or consult with the program coordinator on an “as needed” basis to provide objective advice during all phases of planning, operation, and evaluation of GNDNERR’s CTP. The specific responsibilities of the committee include:

Participation in scheduled meetings and conference calls; Guidance for the development of and revisions to market analysis and needs assessment

surveys and reports as well as program strategies; Evaluate proposed activities and recommend potential activities to ensure that the needs of

local coastal resource managers are being met; Help ensure that appropriate audiences are targeted by CTP events, and foster existing and

potential partnerships within the Gulf Coast education and resource management training community.

Meetings are chaired by the acting coordinator for the GNDNERR’s CTP. The chair is responsible for preparing materials for meetings and moderating meeting discussions. The committee is an advisory group and GNDNERR maintains the authority to make decisions and set policy regarding all aspects of the CTP. Membership on the CTP Advisory Committee is voluntary and is not considered a time-limited position. Additional members may be invited to join the committee as needed, and attendance at meetings is open to all interested parties.

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Appendix B: Grand Bay CTP Logic Model

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GGRANDRAND B BAYAY CTP O CTP OVERARCHINGVERARCHING G GOALOAL::To foster informed decision-making and resource management among professional audiences whose actions influence the management of Mississippi’s coastal resources..

GGOALSOALS::1. Decision-makers

will recognize CTP as a reliable source of information and skill-building opportunities. (III, IV)

2. Decision-makers will recognize that their actions and decisions impact Mississippi’s coastal resources. (V)

3. Decision-makers

will utilize CTP products and services to make decisions about challenging coastal management issues. (I, II, III, IV, V)

4. Decision-makers

will increase the diversity of professional contacts and

AAUDIENCESUDIENCES:: Local Elected and Appointed Officials and Natural Resource Managers

CoordinatorSpeakersFacilities

EquipmentTools

PartnersFunding

Additional Staff

RESOURC Activities

Target audience needs assessmentsMarketing MaterialsWorkshopsListserv of workshop participants, expert speakers, and partnering agenciesListserv of potential audience membersUpdate website with training information, workshop summaries, and links to additional opportunitiesSupport materials (e.g., brochures, flyers, reports, etc.) for training programs, as neededProgram assessments and

OutputsShort- & Mid-

term Outcomes

I. Decision-makers will receive information about relevant coastal resource management issues. (A, B, C)II. Decision-makers will become part of an information exchange network. (A, B)III. Decision-makers will increase their awareness of the reserve’s CTP and its products. (B, C)IV. Decision-makers are satisfied with the quality of CTP products and services. (B, C)V. Decision-makers

Long-term Outcomes

A. Decision-makers will integrate new skills, knowledge, and perspectives into their work.B. Decision-makers will utilize the information and professional contacts made available to them through CTP to help them make decisions about coastal issues.C. Decision-makers will continue to access CTP

Assess target audience and prioritize training and information needsIdentify potential partnersLocate expertiseDevelop agenda for training activitySecure speakersAssist with presentation developmentDevelop support materials: manuals, protocols, list of



Appendix C: Programs and Trainings Offered 2004 – 2012(Workshop Title – Key Partner Entity)

2004

August Application of Water Level and Datum Information to Coastal Zone Management – NOAA

2005

February Managing Visitor Use in Coastal and Marine Protected Areas – NOAA Coastal Services Center

May Wetland Plant Identification – MDMR Coastal Preserves

2006

January Gulf of Mexico Alliance Stakeholder Meeting – GOMAFebruary Managing the Impacts of Residential Docks and Piers in Mississippi and Alabama

– Weeks Bay NERRApril A Practical Guide to Conservation Easements – Mississippi Coastal Plains RC&D

CouncilMay Wetland Plant Identification – MDMR Coastal PreservesJune Green Building is Storm Resistant: Workshop and Tradeshow – MDMR CRMPNovember Identification and Management of Invasive Terrestrial and Aquatic Plants

Common to Coastal Mississippi – Mississippi Coastal Plains RC&D Council

2007

January Learn to Use ArcHydro: A GIS Watershed Planning Tool – Mississippi State University Georesources Institute

March Mississippi Coastal Saltwater Fish Identification Class – NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service

April Wetland Plant Identification – MDMR Coastal PreservesMay Marsh Bird Workshop – Ace Basin and North Inlet-Winyah Bay NERRMay Coastal Development Strategies Conference: NAI Breakout Session – National

Association of State Floodplain ManagersMay Firewise Awareness Workshop - Mississippi Coastal Plains RC&D CouncilJune Money Matters: Maximize Funding for Coastal Resource Projects Part I - Success

Starts at the Top – MDMR CRMPJune Money Matters: Maximize Funding for Coastal Resource Projects Part II -

Creating Success – MDMR CRMPJuly New Approaches to Floodplain Management for Coastal Communities –-August Money Matters: Maximize Funding for Coastal Resource Projects

Part III – Coastal Resource Funding and Technical Assistance Fair – MDMR Office of Coastal Planning and Development

September Stormwater Workshop – Dauphin Island Sea LabOctober Wetland Identification and Delineation – Weeks Bay NERROctober Public Issues and Conflict Management – NOAA Coastal Services CenterNovember Living Shorelines – MS-AL Sea Grant ConsortiumDecember Land Use Planning for Sustainable Communities – Southeast Watershed Forum

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2008

February Diamondback Terrapin Workgroup Meeting – Weeks Bay NERRMarch Wetland Plant Identification – MDMR Coastal PreservesMarch Wetland Permitting Workshop for County and Municipal Staff – MDMR

Permitting and Coastal PreservesMay Coastal Development Strategies Conference – MDMR CRMPMay Hydric Soils Workshop for Natural Resource Managers – Weeks Bay NERRJune Coastal Applications of ArcGIS – NOAA CSC & Weeks Bay NERRJune Coastal Inundation Mapping – NOAA CSC & Weeks Bay NERRJuly Firewise Awareness for Coastal Communities – Mississippi Coastal Plains RC&D

CouncilOctober Gulf Geospatial Assessment of Marine Ecosystems – Gulf of Mexico AllianceOctober Wetland Plant Identification – MDMR Coastal PreservesNovember Responsible Site Design December Hydric Soils for Natural Resource Managers – Weeks Bay NERR

2009

February Diamondback Terrapin Working Group Meeting – Weeks Bay NERRApril Creating Community Support for Firewise Initiatives April Introduction to ArcGIS – NOAA CSCApril Coastal Applications of ArcGIS – NOAA CSCMay Wetland Plant Identification – MDMR Coastal PreservesMay Coastal Development Strategies Conference – Green Design Breakout Session

and Building Tour – MDMR CRMPMay Firewise Awareness Field Day – Mississippi Coastal Plains RC&D CouncilJuly Remote Sensing for Spatial Analysts – NOAA CSCAugust Wetlands and Water Quality – Gulf Coast Regional Utility BoardSeptember Hydric Soils for Natural Resource Managers – Weeks Bay NERROctober Wetland Plant Identification – MDMR Coastal PreservesOctober Coastal Ecological Restoration – Society for Ecological Restoration & Weeks Bay

NERRDecember Responsible Site Design – Mississippi State University

2010

January Habitat Priority Planner – NOAA CSCJanuary Advanced Problems in Hydric Soils Evaluation – Weeks Bay NERRMarch Constructing Living Shorelines in Mississippi and Alabama – GOMA CTP InitiativeMarch Wetland Plant Identification – MDMR Coastal PreservesApril Planning for Coastal Resilience Using Green Infrastructure – Mississippi Coastal

Plains RC&DJune Coastal Inundation Mapping – NOAA CSCSeptember Permeable Pavement Webinar/Workshop – MS Concrete Industries AssociationOctober Project Design & Evaluation – NOAA CSCOctober Rainwater Management Webinar/Workshop – Center for Watershed ProtectionOctober Grant Writing Workshop #1 – GOMA CTP InitiativeOctober Wetland Plant Identification – MDMR Coastal Preserves

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November Grant Writing Workshop #2 – GOMA CTP InitiativeNovember Public Issues and Conflict Management NOAA CSCDecember Photo Geo-tagging – GND NERR Stewardship & GISDecember Better Site Design Gets Better Webinar/Workshop – Center for Watershed

Protection

2011

January Introduction to Coastal GIS – NOAA CSCFebruary Water Words That Work – Mississippi State University (MSU) CRECFebruary More Than A Message – MSU CRECMarch Planning for Meaningful Evaluation – NOAA CSC & Weeks Bay NERRApril Advanced Plant ID – MDMR Coastal PreservesApril Field Plant ID – MDMR Coastal PreservesMay Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Symposium – MS-AL Sea GrantJune GIS Tools for Conservation Planning – NOAA CSCJune Habitat Priority Planner – NOAA CSCJune Coupled Ecological-Societal Systems Workshop - NOAA Environmental

Cooperative Science CenterJune Land Use and Natural Resources Workshop – MSU CRECAugust Beyond Pipe and Pond Stormwater Management Workshop – University of New

Hampshire Stormwater CenterOctober Grand Bay NERR Research Symposium – GND NERR ResearchDecember Floodplain Management 101 – Mississippi Emergency Management Agency

(MEMA)December FEMA Elevation Certificate – MEMA

2012

March Planning for the Future in Jackson County – GOMA CTP InitiativeMarch Disaster Response Plan Kickoff Meeting – NOAA GOM Disaster Response CenterMarch Gentile Giants Spring Science Seminar – Mississippi Department of Marine

ResourcesApril Water Words That Work, New Orleans – GOMA CTP InitiativeApril Water Words That Work, Stennis Space Center – GOMA CTP Initiative & NOAA

CSCApril Water Words That Work, MDMR – GOMA Resilience TeamJune Working Together to Get Things Done Collaborative Learning Training – Weeks

Bay NERR & NERR Science CollaborativeJune Ecological Effects of Sea Level Rise Management Committee Workshop –

University of Central FloridaJune Grand Bay NERR Disaster Response Plan Stakeholder Workshop – NOAA GOM

Disaster Response CenterJuly Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment – USFWS Coastal Program and NCTCJuly Wilderness First Aid: Training for More Resilient Coastal Communities (2) -

GOMAOctober ArcGIS Desktop I – MSU and MGCCC

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October Introduction to Coastal GIS - NOAAOctober Fall Science Seminar – Marsh Dwellers - DMROctober Wilderness First Aid: Training for More Resilient Coastal Communities- GOMANovember ArcGIS Desktop II – MSU and MGCCCDecember ArcGIS Desktop III – MSU and MGCCCDecember Wilderness First Aid: Training for More Resilient Coastal Communities- GOMA

2013

February Climate Adaptation for Coastal Communities- NOAA CSC, Weeks Bay NERR, Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant, and Southern Climate Impacts Planning Program

March MS Artificial Reefs Spring Science Seminar – Mississippi Department of Marine Resources

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Appendix D: Results Summary of 2011 Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Coastal Training Program Needs Assessment

Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) Coastal Training Program (CTP) conducted a Needs Assessment Survey in 2011, in conjunction with Weeks Bay NERR, to determine the training needs of coastal stakeholders. The survey was distributed by email to roughly 500 stakeholders that had been involved with the programs or attended workshops in the past. Sixty-eight respondents completed the entire survey, the majority of which worked for a state agency, business or business association, non-profit, federal agency, or university or college. Survey respondents were asked to rank various training opportunities based on their level of current knowledge, interest, and need for training in order to better determine the focus and direction for future CTP programming and will be incorporated into the 2013-2018 Grand Bay NERR CTP Program Strategy.

The majority of survey respondents worked along coastal Mississippi (64%) and Alabama (49%) and roughly a quarter of participants also did some work in Coastal Louisiana or North Florida (panhandle). Most respondents preferred a training activity to include a hands-on field activity, site visit or demonstration, or presentation of a case study. Most respondents preferred a one-day training session over a half-day or multi-day session and would prefer a day-time training session over an evening training session. The factors that most heavily influenced whether a respondent would attend a training session were his or her interest in the topic, scheduling, the expertise of the speakers, and the cost of attending. Lastly, most respondents preferred to get an email notice about upcoming training sessions over postal announcements and phone calls, and preferred to register online over an email registration, phone or fax, or mail-in registration.

More than 40% of those that responded to the survey managed shorelines, rivers and streams, salt marshes, coastal or waterfront properties, forested wetlands, freshwater marshes, oyster reefs or beds, saltwater submerged aquatic vegetation, barrier islands, and docks or piers and boat launches. When asked what management issues were encountered in their job most often, the top answers listed related to wetlands (e.g., mitigation, delineation, and regulation); stormwater (e.g., quality and quantity); land use, particularly related to land use conflicts; and educating government staff and resource managers. Survey participants were also asked what types of barriers they encounter in their resource management work. The most common responses were related to funding (e.g., for projects, staff, or other resources); workload management (e.g., competitive interests within agencies or between agencies, reallocation of workload for staff or between staff); and the lack of understanding, interest, or effective communication methods to the public, government staff, and elected officials.

In the category of coastal leadership and stakeholder engagement, respondents indicated that training was most needed in communicating more effectively (e.g., message design, marketing strategies, word choice) and project planning (e.g., setting goals, determining objectives, identifying expected outcomes, developing strategic partnerships). In the category of coastal resources management, respondents said that training was most needed in wetland protection and/or restoration (e.g., functioning of wetlands, techniques for restoration) and coastal processes (e.g., erosion, accretion, and subsidence). Related to coastal development, participants said that training was most needed in: shoreline stabilization alternatives (e.g., beach nourishment, sea walls, living shorelines, etc.), green infrastructure (networks of natural areas set aside to enhance water and air quality), and GIS (including land use mapping, coastal inundation mapping, green infrastructure mapping) topics. Lastly, related to coastal hazards, respondents’ answers varied but, overall, most responded that more training was need about erosion and sediment control and climate change impacts.

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Respondents were also asked what topics they could use training on right now. The top responses, listed in order of priority, were geographic information systems, grant writing, shoreline stabilization and restoration, stormwater management, wetland protection and restoration, climate change impacts, coastal processes, project planning and evaluation, wetland delineation. Topics such as effective communication, nutrient loading, conservation easements, floodplain management, invasive species identification, oil spill, stakeholder engagement, and wetland mitigation and regulation also ranked highly.

Survey participants were also asked a number of questions related to climate change. When asked what climate-related changes they were most concerned about, more than 50% of respondents answered changes in extreme weather events, erosion of shoreline and coast, sea level rise, flooding of shoreline and coast, changes in water quality, changes in rainfall pattern, impacts on water supply, and spread of new or existing invasive species. Less than 25% of participants said that they were concerned about asset management (e.g., protection of property, bridges, roads, etc), heat, colder winters, and average temperature decrease.

Respondents were most interested in learning about the science of climate change and sea level rise, and the potential regional impacts of climate change. Related to training events, respondents were most interested in those that focused on ecosystem management, coastal zone management, and water resources management; scoping climate change impacts to major areas of responsibility or interest, information or data resources for climate change assessment and planning, and building support among stakeholders for adaptation planning; and dealing with uncertainty in decision making, developing measures of resilience and using them to track results of actions over time, and how local communities are preparing for climate change (case studies).

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