Virginia Sea Grant NEWS
Science and stewardship: VATIDES program makes science meaningful for K-12 students
The Virginia Teachers Innovating and Designing Experiential Science (VATIDES) program shows teachers-in-training how to lead environmental science investigations.
2020 Commonwealth Fellows announced
Virginia Sea Grant is pleased to announce a cohort of three 2020 Commonwealth Coastal & Marine Policy Fellows.
Model helps oyster management move
from conflict to consensus, study shows
The researchers tracked how each of the 16 OysterFutures participants rated the model for three different factors: its reliability, its legitimacy, and its usefulness as a tool.
New marine education specialist
joins VIMS Marine Advisory Program
We would like to welcome Stacy Keating to Virginia Sea Grant (VASG). As the business manager, Keating will monitor and assist with VASG’s fiscal budget, grant awards, and sub-awards.
Telling the ‘story’ of fish:
Virginia Gamefish Tagging Program marks 25th year
This year, 11 new anglers joined the program of roughly 200 volunteer taggers who keep track of popular recreational species in Virginia’s waters.
2020 Graduate Research Fellows announced
Virginia Sea Grant is pleased to announce a cohort of three 2020 graduate research fellows and an aquaculture graduate research fellow.
Sheltering in a pandemic:
Emergency managers consider COVID impacts on hurricane evacuation
A working group of local, state, and national leaders convened to prepare for hurricane season during a pandemic in May and June. During the series of six meetings, the CONVERGE workgroup discussed vulnerability, containing the spread of coronavirus, logistics of shelter operations, communicating risk, and the psychological toll caused by multiple hazards.
Survey shows flooding risks and realities
in three Hampton neighborhoods
To document the flooding experiences of local residents, a research team surveyed three historic neighborhoods in Hampton, Virginia, that are vulnerable to flooding.The survey asked residents about their experiences with flooding and adaptive measures they have taken to increase their resilience. Homeowners also rated their ability to cope with flooding, and what flood impacts would cause them to consider relocation.
2021 Knauss Fellowship Finalists Announced
Virginia Sea Grant is pleased to announce three finalists from Virginia institutions for the 2021 John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship.
Carol Hopper-Brill says ‘aloha’
after 15 years as a VIMS marine educator
Carol Hopper-Brill retired at the end of June after spending 15 years on the Marine Advisory Program’s education team at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS). She has designed countless hands-on activities to bring marine science to life for educators, students, and the public.
Research, policy ‘paved the way’
for eelgrass carbon credits in Virginia
As water quality improvements allow seagrass meadows to survive and expand, carbon offset credits from registered projects could provide a funding mechanism for additional restoration work, said Karen McGlathery, lead investigator at the Virginia Coast Reserve Long-Term Ecological Research area, where the study was conducted.
Digital storyteller talks science communication
during VIMS virtual Marine Science Day
Virginia Sea Grant’s digital storyteller Aileen Devlin answered questions about visual science communication and her career path. You can watch a recording of her Q&A session and read some of her answers here.
Research identifies social and economic barriers to growth of oyster aquaculture
A paper published in the March issue of Frontiers in Marine Science is the first to link social and economic factors with Virginia oyster lease productivity.
National Ocean Sciences Bowl adapts to
first-ever virtual competition
With some adjustments and flexibility, 19 teams who won regional ocean science competitions were able to participate in the 23rd National Ocean Sciences Bowl. This year’s competition featured biology, chemistry, geology, physics, and policy questions related to the theme of “understanding human, economic, and environmental resiliency in the Gulf of Mexico.”
Knauss fellow applies policy to protect marine sanctuaries
Sophie Godfrey-McKee supported the Monterey Bay and Channel Island National Marine Sanctuaries during her 2019 Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship in NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. As part of the policy and planning division, Godfrey-McKee contributed to biological evaluations and consultation letters that outlined the environmental impacts of research and day-to-day management for the seafloor.
Aquaculture, aquariums, and seafood safety at VSAREC
VSAREC staff provides technical support and scientific guidance to the seafood and aquaculture industries, both in Virginia and throughout the U.S. through food safety training, support for food processors, and internship programs that train future leaders in cutting-edge aquaculture.
Inventory and Innovation:
Fellows lay groundwork for Virginia’s coastal master plan
The coastal resilience master plan will identify Virginia’s coastal vulnerability, identify coastal resilience projects in progress, and make recommendations for future priorities.
VSAREC survey paints ‘dire picture’
for US aquaculture from COVID-19
A survey of aquaculture, aquaponics, and allied businesses conducted by aquaculture specialists is tracking the effects of COVID-19 on U.S. aquaculture.
Digital Coast fellow shows how coastal planning and prep
pays off for Gulf Coast
NOAA Digital Coast Fellow Shanna Williamson is analyzing the flooding responses planned by 20 Gulf Coast Counties to determine common types of responses and their return on investment.
Graduate Symposium 2020:
Learning to think outside and inside the box
The poster session was one of many “out of the box” components of the Graduate Symposium 2020, designed to strengthen the skillsets and networks of graduate students engaged in coastal and marine studies.
