Outreach

Outreach is the bridge that carries information from the academic institution to the public - and, often, back again. Sea Grant, like the Land Grant programs before it, was founded on an outreach philosophy. And while we're required to spend at least 50 percent of our federal program funds on research, outreach is by far the larger part of our program, both in numbers of people and in activities.

Outreach can take many forms:

• The marine Extension agent who lives and works in a coastal community, providing residents with information, advice and assistance and responding to questions and issues as they arise
• The writer finding the words to explain a complex research project to make it both understandable and and interesting to the public.
• The research team meeting with coastal fishermen and their Extension liaison to ensure that an upcoming science cruise doesn't disrupt fishing activities.
• The support staff who answer the phone and greet those who walk in the door of Sea Grant offices all over the state, answering questions, providing service or connecting them with those who can.
• The specialist - part researcher, part Extension agent - who uses the tools of science to help create new methods of ensuring that seafood products are both safe and tasty.
• Increasingly, the Web developer, making both new and traditional outreach products available to people all over the world at the click of a mouse button.

At Oregon Sea Grant, our Extension and Communications teams are full-time outreach units -- but providing objective, science-based information to the public is part of what all of us do.

Current major outreach projects include:

• Marine invaders: Sea Grant teams with Oregon Public Broadcasting's Oregon Field Guide and the Salem Statesman-Journal for a year-long focus on invasive species in Oregon.
• Ornamental Fish Health: Dr. Tim Miller-Morgan, Sea Grant Extension's "fish doctor," provides educational programming and service to the aquarium industry and aquarium hobbyists worldwide on the health and husbandry of aquarium and pond animals
• Marine Reserves: Listening and Learning - A public engagement process aimed at increasing community awareness of marine reserves as a means of managing Oregon's offshore waters, and providing feedback on the concept to guide state policy-makers.
• Regional Research and Information Plan - Along with Sea Grant programs in Washington and California, Oregon Sea Grant has been gathering public comment on marine research and information priorities for the entire West Coast.

Do you have a question about the ocean or the coast?

Contact Sea Grant - we may just have the answer. And if we don't, we can probably help you find someone who does.