Marine Conservation for a Changing World

3–4 credits · Undergraduate

Our world is changing rapidly, and how to respond and adapt to these changes is a key question for all communities, human and non-human. Historically, conservation scientists have focused on the non-human side of a community, and on leaving things untouched in order to 'preserve them'. But in our changing world, the role of the scientist and conservationist must adapt to be more active, and to recognize the importance of listening to and learning from human communities when designing solutions. In this course we will learn about community-based marine conservation using the Pillar Point tidepool harvesting area in Half Moon Bay as a case study. The Pillar Point tidepools are an incredibly biologically and culturally diverse area, and the socio-ecological dynamics there reflect key challenges in marine conservation that are relevant across California and the world. Students become familiar with the eff orts of the Marine Protected Area Collaborative Network to facilitate dialogue between different community groups, nonprofits, government agencies and scientists to ensure stewardship of the coastline. Students also learn and practice paired marine ecology and social science methods. Lab sessions will provide hands-on research experience in how to conduct an ecological transect and contribute to ongoing ecological monitoring, and how to design and analyze questionnaire data relevant for understanding the values, institutions, and conflicts involved in conservation. Students will leave this course with valuable skills in mixed-methods research and an appreciation for the complexities of community-based conservation through deep engagement with a renowned section of the California coast. Enroll in 3 units if will conduct data collection and analysis of results together with the class. Enroll in 4 units if you will additionally propose and conduct independent data collection and analysis of results to form a final project for the course.