Giving Day 2022

The world urgently needs agile leaders to solve problems from accelerating climate change and biodiversity loss. We launched the Coastal Science and Policy graduate program (CSP) to train inspiring young leaders on practical solutions to these challenges — especially in coastal zones where biodiverse ecosystems converge with dense and vulnerable human communities. We recruit early career leaders in sustainability from across the globe, give them hands-on training, strengthen their networks, and help them redeploy where they are needed most.

Each student works one year in a real-world setting with a partner organization on a co-designed capstone project to advance a solution. We are already seeding global coastal sustainability with innovative, entrepreneurial, and diverse leaders who design, test, and implement scalable solutions.

Example capstone projects include: restoring native salmon habitat in the Sacramento Basin; strengthening equity and environmental justice action in Climate Action Plan (CAP) development and implementation; exploring an innovative Green Gravel technique to restore kelp forests in Mexico; analyzing the carbon sequestration potential of growing and then sinking algae; performing a feasibility study of a coral restoration project in Hawaii to be eligible for FEMA's Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities funding; and encouraging the inclusion of an algae in cattle feed to reduce methane emissions.

This year's new cohort is developing projects around carbon accounting of seagrass beds, enhancing plastic pollution policy and action, assessing social impetus for kelp restoration, enhancing indigenous food systems and sovereignty and much more. 

Funds are needed for travel and supplies related to student capstone projects.

For more information visit the CSP website and student page. 

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twitter: @coastalscipol