Beyond Polarization: Learning from the Unlikely Story of California’s Marine Protected Areas
Channel: OCTO (Open Communications for the Ocean)
Date: 15/07/2020

This webinar originally aired on 15 July 2020.



At a time when the United States is divided and positive collective action feels out of reach, the creation of California’s network of marine protected areas provides a story of hope and hard work. After a contentious ten-year collaborative public process, the establishment of a network of 124 protected areas was considered nothing short of miraculous, having navigated political and interest-based polarization, bureaucratic delays, evolving science, and historic financial difficulties. What lessons can be drawn from the experience? This webinar will report on the conclusions of a new Island Press book that analyzes the story. It will also explain how the protected areas designation process has influenced the implementation of the MPA network, and describe elements of the California experience that may be adapted elsewhere.


Presented by: Steven Yaffee of the University of Michigan and Kaitilin Gaffney of the Resources Legacy Fund


Co-sponsors: NOAA National MPA Center and OCTO (MPA News, OpenChannels, EBM Tools Network)