Successes and future of coastal management are focus of Sept. 9 kickoff
KINGSTON, R.I., — September 7, 2021 — The University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography’s Coastal Resources Center (CRC) at the Narragansett Bay Campus is celebrating its 50-year anniversary. The Center has a rich history of helping coastal communities in Rhode Island and around the world manage complex economic, environmental, and social challenges via scientific and practical planning.
A kickoff event is scheduled for Thursday, September 9th from 2 – 7 p.m. at the Narragansett Bay Campus. Limited space is available for this outdoor event – see https://web.uri.edu/crc/celebration-kickoff/ to review the entire event program and register attendance. The event will begin with a speaking program to feature discussion panels supported by distinguished members of the Rhode Island communities that have been instrumental in facilitating national policies with an international reach in coastal resilience and seafood security. An awards ceremony will take place prior to an early evening concert.
URI President Marc Parlange congratulates the CRC for its milestone, and said that the Center is representative of the University’s widespread efforts to ensure science is applied to help people, both in Rhode Island and around the globe. “I am proud of CRC for guiding coastal communities in the application of science to make the most of their resources,” Parlange says. “Congratulations to CRC on its 50th anniversary.”
Established at GSO on the Narragansett Bay Campus in September, 1971, CRC first occupied a renovated trailer that had washed up on the campus shore. Today CRC thrives in a dedicated building overlooking the Narragansett Bay. The Center is recognized for playing a central role in assisting the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC), the state’s coastal administrator. CRC has also led many large projects in developing nations with support from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). CRC and its expert staff earned significant regard for its work worldwide to build the capacity of coastal communities to make comprehensive and science-informed choices for the long-term management of a wide array of resources.
“CRC is not only adept at bringing the best science to coastal management challenges with local to international scope, but it stands apart from other organizations because of CRC’s commitment to helping coastal communities succeed long after a given project concludes,” says GSO Dean Paula Bontempi. “CRC is invaluable to Rhode Island, the United States, and the world because of the leadership, dedication, and care the staff bring to their work. Having this unique group on campus makes it possible to apply the groundbreaking science conducted here to worldwide management challenges with economic and policy impacts. Training and education are also central to what CRC does.”
After 50 years of providing support to coastal communities, CRC is ready to meet new challenges, says URI CRC Director and GSO Professor, J.P. Walsh. “CRC is focused not only on applied science and outreach, but on student and workforce development efforts. We are building on our successes and looking to the future.”
Around the world, the Coastal Resources Center (CRC) works with communities and citizens to become more effective stewards of their shores, seas, and associated resources. Partnering with scholars and stakeholders, CRC applies science and empowers communities through collaboration and capacity building. To learn more about CRC or its 50th Anniversary celebration see https://web.uri.edu/crc/ or contact J.P. Walsh at J.P. Walsh jpwalsh@uri.edu or at (252) 258-7683.