Coastal Resources Management Training Needs Assessment: Strategies and Opportunities

The Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve (OWC), Ohio Department of Natural Resources-Coastal Management Program (ODNRCMP), and Ohio Sea Grant College Program engaged the Great Lakes Environmental Finance Center (GLEFC) to aid them in developing a coastal resources management training initiative for Ohio coastal decision-makers. Coastal decision-maker professionals are expected to formulate effective strategies and apply interdisciplinary approaches to solving problems and policy issues that affect the environments of coastal regions. There are a number of professionals in a variety of occupations who make decisions regarding coastal and environmental policy issues. These individuals include those within the coastal resources management field, such as conservationists, planning professionals, and coastal regulatory officials, as well as individuals not directly within the field, such as local officials, state and federal agency staff, project managers, and staff from non-governmental, economic, and community development organizations.