West Coast Nearshore Data Tools and Training

This project will develop a Nearshore Data Viewer to highlight newly developed nearshore datasets developed by the Pacific Marine and Estuarine Partnership (PMEP)’s Science and Data Committee and Nearshore Working Group. The project will integrate the viewer into PMEP’s established data tools training, hosted through the NERR (National Estuarine Research Reserve) coastal training program. PMEP proposes to create a “Nearshore Data Viewer” that will allow users to view, query, and explore nearshore substrate and biotic habitat datasets developed by PMEP. Using an ESRI web application similar to PMEP’s Estuary Viewer, the map application will highlight PMEP’s new spatial data products and allow users to characterize nearshore habitats and synthesize information in support of habitat conservation and restoration goal setting. The Viewer will be publicly available, and hosted and maintained by the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission. PSMFC staff provide IT support and data stewardship for the Pacific Marine & Estuarine Fish Habitat Partnership. The Nearshore Data Viewer will undergo review by the PMEP Science & Data community for relevancy and ease of use, and will be publicly available through the PMEP website and ArcGIS Online for any user (no desktop GIS required).
PMEP will update the syllabus for its current virtual “Data Tools Training” program to include training scenarios on how to use the Nearshore Data Viewer. The scenarios highlight the data in the context of local or regional conservation or restoration efforts. PMEP partnership with the National Estuarine Research Reserve’s (NERR) Coastal Training Program to host the training. Past trainings have run smoothly and been a success. Between the NERR and PMEP, the attendees of the virtual training have a lot of support, including a data tools instructor (PMEP’s data steward), IT support, and PMEP Coordinator and NERR staff co-facilitating the training. After each training, feedback is solicited through a post-training survey, and recommendations are used to improve and update training materials. Past attendees were enthusiastic about future PMEP datasets and data tools, such as the Nearshore Data Viewer that will be developed with this MSCG funding.
Along with the training, PMEP will develop a series of short “how-to” videos and publish them on the PMEP website as an educational resource for using the Nearshore Data Viewer. These videos will demonstrate specific features of the Viewer, highlight relevant coastal and or restoration scenarios in the demonstrations, and make training available beyond the virtual training offered through the NERR coastal training program.