Sea Grant and Community Science
The Sea Grant Community Science (CS) Network facilitates interaction among Sea Grant CS initiatives nation-wide. In addition, it provides professional development training for community science practitioners and shares best practices for implementing place-based community science efforts. With over 80 projects, Sea Grant is a vital collaborator and resource in the field. Using community science widely as a place-based research, outreach and education strategy to address the four National Sea Grant focus areas (see below), Sea Grant works to provide inclusive and equitable opportunities for diverse participants and partners to advance science and inform decision-making.
Environmental Literacy and Workforce Development
Healthy Coastal Ecosystems
Resilient Communities and Economies
Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture
Disclaimer: While “citizen science” is a widely recognized term, the use of “citizen” can be perceived as exclusionary. As such, Sea Grant uses the term “community science” to refer to its programs in which members of the public are engaged to participate in the scientific process. Community science has its roots in the environmental justice movement and is more centered around benefiting those in the community. Sea Grant feels this term more accurately represents our goals in engaging the public in scientific research.
