The California Marine Sanctuary Foundation (CMSF) has worked to protect the state's coastal ecosystems while strengthening coastal resilience since 1995. In collaboration with a variety of local communities, including government agencies, tribal communities, harbors and marinas, and NGOs, we focus on five thematic areas: water quality protection, marine conservation, coastal restoration, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and community engagement. We strive to engage stakeholders, members of the public, and experts in these areas to identify and implement practical and effective solutions to reduce human impacts on and increase the resiliency of California’s coastal resources.
For more information about our collective work please visit: https://www.californiamsf.org/
About the Program
CMSF was recently awarded a Climate Resilience Regional Challenge (CRRC) grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for a 5-year term beginning October 1, 2024. The CRRC grant will support the development and launch of the Monterey Bay Climate Adaptation Action Network (MBCAAN). MBCAAN will coordinate and plan for future adaptation and resilience actions in the Monterey Bay region and act as a forum for planning and information sharing to ensure the coordinated, integrated implementation of climate adaptation activities. Key functions of MBCAAN will be to:
- Provide broad and inclusive participation of local and regional governments, researchers, NGOs, business groups, community groups, and other stakeholders around the Monterey Bay area to ensure inclusive decision-making and the equitable development of climate resilience policies and adaptation actions.
- Ensure meaningful engagement of marginalized communities and tribal groups through standing committees and special programs created specifically for that purpose.
- Work with MBCAAN members to develop a clear vision for resilience goals, and equitable climate adaptation and regeneration strategies.
- Work with MBCAAN members to develop a comprehensive Regional Resilience Plan. The Regional Resilience Plan will ensure ongoing alignment with MBCAAN member organizations and other regional planning entities throughout the region.
- Work with MBCAAN members to identify project needs, develop projects, and pursue grant funds to implement those activities.
- Convene a Workforce Development Committee to meet at least quarterly to identify regional workforce needs, and to develop programs to build the knowledge base and skillsets needed for addressing regional climate risks.
- Convene a MBCAAN Advisory Committee to prioritize projects and provide recommendations for loan funds, via the Monterey Bay Climate Adaptation Revolving Fund.
About the Position
CMSF is seeking a highly qualified individual to support the development and launch of MBCAAN, and to act as the MBCAAN Coordinator over the five-year grant term. The MBCAAN Coordinator will lead and coordinate all aspects of MBCAAN, guiding the member organizations in a region-wide, collaborative effort to share informational resources and to plan for and implement climate resilience actions for the Monterey Bay area. MBCAAN program activities will be conducted in partnership with regional city and county governments, universities, research institutions, and non-government organizations (NGOs) focusing on adaptation actions that build climate resilience for the area’s low-lying, coastal communities threatened by sea level rise, storm surge, and flooding along the region’s major rivers and by wildfire in the watersheds affecting these communities.