|
|
 M I S S I O N
The Mission of the Coastal
Institute is to Advance Knowledge and Develop Solutions to Environmental Problems in
Coastal Ecosystems.
Vision: The Coastal Institute will increase our
understanding of the relationships between human activity and the condition of the coastal
environment and its resources. The Coastal Institute will work in partnership with local,
state, federal, and international agencies to use this understanding to contribute to the
solution of the complex problems of human use and development in coastal environments. The
Coastal Institute is a neutral setting where knowledge is advanced, issues discussed, information synthesized, and
solutions developed for the sustainable use and management of coastal ecosystems. The
Coastal Institute works across and beyond traditional structures to encourage new
approaches to problem solving.
Scope of Activities: The geographic scope of the Coastal Institute is broadly
defined to include continental shelves, inland or partially enclosed seas, estuaries,
bays, lagoons, beaches, and terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems within watersheds that
drain into coastal waters. The conceptual scope of the Coastal Institute includes the
environmental, economic, ethical, and cultural dimensions of coastal environments and
their governance.
Principles of the Coastal Institute: The activities of the Coastal Institute are
guided by the following fundamental principles:
- Coastal environments must be managed in a responsible manner
for the benefit of current and future generations.
- Environmental problems and societal concerns in coastal ecosystems
are inextricably linked. Both must be addressed when developing
policies affecting human use of coastal ecosystems.
- Dialogue among all stakeholders is a key element in managing
coastal ecosystems. Vigorous discussion and debate provide a
diversity of potential solutions to complex environmental issues
in coastal ecosystems.
- Policies guiding human use of coastal ecosystems must be developed
upon the best available scientific information. Policies must
be re-evaluated as the scientific knowledge is advanced. Scientific
research should, in part, be guided by the gaps in our knowledge
of coastal environments.
- Activities that advance new approaches to problem solving
include the provision of knowledge, scientific information,
a neutral venue for discussion, planning, and policy development.
- New knowledge that is developed, and existing knowledge that
is required to solve the problems presented to the Institute
will be disseminated for the public good.
|
|
