Regional Approaches to Ocean Literacy: Using the Alaska Ocean Observing System for Education Dana Sitzler Alaska SeaLife Center Dana Sitzler Alaska SeaLife Center

Why Ocean Observing Systems?  Decision Making - tells us what has happened - what is happening and allows us to forecast what could happen - Plan  Human Health  Mississippi River System  Gulf of Mexico - Nutrients, Quality  Informed Action  Decision Making - tells us what has happened - what is happening and allows us to forecast what could happen - Plan  Human Health  Mississippi River System  Gulf of Mexico - Nutrients, Quality  Informed Action

Education  Helps us tell the story  Understanding  Action  Behavior change  Restoration  Developing new policies or practices  Helps us tell the story  Understanding  Action  Behavior change  Restoration  Developing new policies or practices

Alaska is ecologically diverse with 3 distinct ocean regions, 26 eco- regions, and 43,000 miles of coastline Courtesy John Piatt Bering Sea Arctic Ocean Gulf of Alaska Pacific Ocean

The Story of Ice Arctic Loss of sea ice impacts communities dependent on it as a way of life - Cultural Extinction?

Reduced sea ice is very likely to increase marine transport - Economic Opportunity? Arctic The Story of Ice

Bering Changing sea ice is resulting in coastal erosion - whole communities need to be moved

The Story of Ice Gulf of Alaska Melting glacial ice is increasing the amount of fresh water - What impact will this have on the ecosystem?

Motivated to Learn  Describes Real World Issues  Science +  Culture  Economics  Community Planning  Formal and Informal Education  Describes Real World Issues  Science +  Culture  Economics  Community Planning  Formal and Informal Education

Moving Forward….  AOOS and ASLC partnering to develop education products and services  Survey and Workshop of Formal and Informal Educators  Developed an Education Plan  Education Coordinator  But We Have a Few Challenges….  AOOS and ASLC partnering to develop education products and services  Survey and Workshop of Formal and Informal Educators  Developed an Education Plan  Education Coordinator  But We Have a Few Challenges….

Prince William Sound Pilot Project ~300 km Bering/Aleutian Gulf of Alaska Arctic

Aleutians - 4 Southeast - 6 South Central - 30 Seward Peninsula - 3 Interior - 5 Northern Alaska - 4 Outside Alaska - 2 Alaska Peninsula- 1 Southwest - 2

Educational Background in Science Informal EducatorsFormal Educators

Products Requested Informal EducatorsFormal Educators

Why Ocean Observing Systems?  Decision Making - tell us what has happened and allow us to forecast what can happen - plan  Human Health  Mississippi River System  Gulf of Mexico - nutrients, quality  Informed Action  Concrete way to understand the story  Alaska has unique stories to share about ocean changes as they relate to human and natural systems  Decision Making - tell us what has happened and allow us to forecast what can happen - plan  Human Health  Mississippi River System  Gulf of Mexico - nutrients, quality  Informed Action  Concrete way to understand the story  Alaska has unique stories to share about ocean changes as they relate to human and natural systems