Coastal Management Fellowship

2023-2025 Fellowship Project Summaries

Connecticut: Alexandra Stella, from San Jose State University’s Moss Landing Marine Laboratories and nominated by California Sea Grant, was matched with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to spearhead a multipronged approach for addressing coastal public access needs in Connecticut through an equity and environmental justice lens.

Coastal States Organization: Natalie Cross, from Stanford University and nominated by California Sea Grant, was matched with the Coastal States Organization to support coastal states’ and territories’ ability to integrate the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and accessibility across the National Coastal Zone Management Program by providing technical assistance, capacity, and relationship-building support.

Maine: Rachael Hamilton, from the University of Massachusetts Boston and nominated by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Sea Grant, was matched with the Maine Coastal Program to help Maine’s vulnerable coastal communities implement the state’s Climate Action Plan, by designing, conducting, and evaluating an innovative municipal outreach and technical assistance program.

U.S. Virgin Islands: Patricia Valentin-Llorens, from the University of Rhode Island and nominated by Rhode Island Sea Grant, was matched with the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources to inventory newly established parklands managed by the department’s Division of Territorial Parks and Protected Areas for natural and cultural resources, and share the results with the community.

Washington: Sangeetha Puthigai, from Texas A&M University and nominated by Texas Sea Grant, was matched with the Washington Department of Ecology Shorelands and Environmental Assistance Program to develop resources and tools for Washington that support the use, preservation, and expansion of shoreline public access with a focus on increasing equity and environmental justice.