Attend Your Public Meeting on Ocean Planning

Public meetings on Ocean Planning are coming to communities across New England in May and June, and we encourage you to attend and invite others! We’re making Ocean Frontiers DVDs available for free for all who wish to share the film with friends and colleagues. Ocean Frontiers is an ideal way to bring people up to speed on ocean planning and let others know of the important opportunity to attend an ocean planning meeting in New England. To receive a free DVD fill out this short form: www.tinyurl.com/ofdvdrequest.

Draft regional ocean planning goals and potential actions will be discussed at these upcoming meetings.  The Northeast Regional Planning Body, a group of state, tribal and federal representatives from New England who are working to implement the National Ocean Policy and address critical New England ocean issues, wants your input on these goals and actions. Additional information on their progress can be found here:  http://northeastoceancouncil.org/regional-planning-body/meetings/

These public meetings will be held in May & June as follows*:

  • Portland, ME            Thursday, May 23, 4-7pm
  • Narragansett, RI      Tuesday, May 28, 4-7pm
  • Ellsworth, ME          Monday, June 3, 4-7pm
  • Rockland, ME           Tuesday, June 4, 5:30-8:30pm
  • Boston, MA               Thursday, June 6, 4-7pm
  • New Haven, CT        Thursday, June 13, 4-7pm
  • New Bedford, MA    Monday, June 17, 4-7pm
  • Gloucester, MA         Tuesday, June 18, 4-7pm
  • Barnstable, MA        Wednesday, June 19, 4-7pm
  • Portsmouth, NH      Tuesday, June 25, 4-7pm

*Additional information for these meetings (specific venues, agenda, etc.) is available at: http://goo.gl/m2OmH

These meetings will occur within the period during which the Northeast Regional Planning Body seeks public input regarding draft goals; public comment will be taken at these meetings. These meetings will also be an opportunity to review draft maps and products from initial efforts to gather information on the natural resources and diverse uses of the ocean, including fishing, transportation, energy and infrastructure, aquaculture, and recreation. If you are not available to attend but would like to provide input, please do so by June 28, 2013. The draft goals will be available through the same website <http://goo.gl/m2OmHin mid-May along with additional details for providing public comment, but for now please hold the dates!

Thank you for attending and/or encouraging others to attend these important meetings!

Calling All Agencies, Coastal Planners & Ports

We’d like to offer Ocean Frontiers to you, for free, to show within your agency, department or office. The film is available in several lengths, including 22-minutes, 60 and 80, to accommodate different audiences and time frames. We also provide a Screening Toolkit with helpful tips and are available to assist with tasks, such as making Posters and Email Invitations for your screening(s).

You can obtain the film for free by filling out our Host a Screening Form or by sending us a message with your address and which lengths you’d like.

We’ve had a tremendous response from agencies, coastal planners and ports around the nation who are using Ocean Frontiers to help build awareness about ocean planning. From Florida to Washington—from state planning departments to port commissioners—people are sharing Ocean Frontiers with staff and colleagues at Brown Bag Lunch Screenings, Strategic Planning meetings, Advancement Trainings and so forth.

What are people saying about Ocean Frontiers?

Ocean Frontiers is an ideal film for us to see because it highlights how industry and government can work together and find solutions to pressing ocean issues.”
-Rebecca Owen, U. S. Dept. of State, Regional Policy Coordinator, Bureau of Oceans

Ocean Frontiers illustrates the kind of science-based, collaborative, locally driven solutions that the National Ocean Council will support through the National Ocean Policy.”
-Deerin Babb-Brott, Director, National Ocean Council

Ocean Planning Moving Ahead

Pt. Judith Lighthouse, Rhode Island

Two years in the making, the Obama Administration released the final action plan to implement the National Ocean Policy this week. This “to do” list for the ocean marks a major step forward for healthy oceans, people and communities who depend on the health of our oceans, coasts and Great Lakes.

We are in New England, working on new Ocean Frontiers stories and what better way to dive in than to attend the 2nd Northeast Regional Planning Body (RPB) meeting. On Thursday and Friday last week, members of the RPB, which include Federal, Tribal, State, and New England Fishery Management Council representatives, met in Narragansett, Rhode Island. There is extensive information on the website, including the meeting materials. The meeting was videotaped, and the entire meeting will be online soon.

Regional Planning Body

The Regional Planning Body is using a shared leadership approach. Betsy Nicholson, NOAA, is the Federal co-lead, Chief Richard Getchell, Aroostook Band of Micmac Indians is the Tribal co-lead and Grover Fugate, Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council, is the State co-lead. In addition to the 30 or so members of the RPB attending, there were 60+ people in the audience, observing the day and a half meeting. Like me, most people were impressed with the work that has been completed since the inaugural meeting in November 2012, and the level of commitment and “buy-in” of the planning body members. It was heartening to see the tribal culture and western policy and science intermingle, with people learning something quite new from one another.

Richard Nelson, lobster fisherman, provides public comment.

On the agenda: Identify draft goals for regional ocean planning and ways to receive public input about those draft goals through early summer, timeline for accomplishing initial work, engaging stakeholders as the process moves forward, as well as their operational details. The RPB members grappled with the goals on day one and that evening the co-leads re-worked them and presented the refined goals the next morning.

The draft goals are three-fold:

  • Protecting, restoring and maintaining healthy ocean and coastal ecosystems
  • Promoting compatibility among current and future ocean uses of ocean and coastal waters
  • Effective decision making

For those of you who live in New England, there will be public meetings at the end of May and early June in multiple locations where these draft goals will be presented, and you’ll have the opportunity to give your input. We will keep you posted on dates and locations as soon the information is available. If you would like to hold an Ocean Frontiers screening in your community in advance of these public meetings to help with citizen turnout, please contact us and we will help you set up an event – it’s super easy with our free DVDs and screening toolkit.

Initial outreach to key industry sectors is underway as well as mapping, but it’s not yet clear how the RPB will regularly or formally hear from stakeholders. That was one of their homework assignments. They heard from a number of people during the public comments that people are ready and available to share resources and knowledge with them – universities, scientists and NGOs in particular.

It’s a critical time to shift how we manage the ocean – thank you for all that you do!

Best regards,

 

 

 

 

Karen Meyer
Executive Director, Green Fire Productions

D.C. Film Fest & Working Waterfronts Symposium

We are excited to announce that this March, Ocean Frontiers will be making appearances at two noteworthy events: the 2013 Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital and the 2013 National Working Waterfronts & Waterways Symposium in Tacoma, WA. We hope you will join us and share the invitations with your members, colleagues and friends.

The Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital has become one of the world’s largest and most influential showcases of environmental film and a major collaborative cultural event in Washington, D.C.

The National Working Waterfronts & Waterways Symposium will provide a forum for diverse users to meet, address common dilemmas and share solutions. This collaborative problem-solving approach promises to provide unique and innovative approaches to address water access needs, using examples of success from various Pacific Northwest and West Coast communities.

Environmental Film Festival Ocean Frontiers Screening: 


Introduced by: Daniel J. Basta, Director, Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, NOAA
Saturday, March 16, 2013, 1:45-3:05pm
National Museum of Natural History, Baird Auditorium
10th & Constitution Ave, NW, Washington, DC (Metro: Federal Triangle or Smithsonian)
Free and open to the public
(Two other films, The Last Ocean & Planet Ocean will screen along with Ocean Frontiers, starting at 12pm)

Special Working Waterfronts & Waterways Symposium Ocean Frontiers Film Premiere:

Hosted by: West Coast Governors Alliance on Ocean Health, Washington Sea Grant & Green Fire Productions
Monday, March 25, 2013, 6:45-9pm
UW Tacoma, Philip Hall, 1918 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, WA
Tickets – $6, Students $4 and free for Symposium registrants 
Please purchase tickets in advance
Includes reception, film and Q&A with a panel of experts to follow

Moderator: 
Katrina Lassiter, Aquatic Policy Analyst, Department of Natural Resources
Panelists:

  • Angie Fredrickson, Seaport Liaison & Research Analyst, Port of Seattle
  • Leesa Cobb, Executive Director, Port Orford Ocean Resource Team
  • Paul Dye, Marine Program Director, The Nature Conservancy
  • Jacque Hostler, Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community of the Trinidad Rancheria

You can see a full list of upcoming Ocean Frontiers events here. And if you’d like to bring the film to your community or workplace, please visit our Host a Screening page.

You can forward this email to a friend below.

Best regards,
Karen Meyer & the Ocean Frontiers Team

Aquarium Program Now Available

Hello Ocean Frontiers Community,

We’re delighted to announce that we have just completed a new 22-minute Ocean Frontiers program specifically for aquariums, museums and marine centers. This special program is being used in exhibits, theaters and in workshops around the nation.

In Hawaii the Mokupapapa Discovery Center for Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument is excited to be offering the program up to ten times a week for its visitors. The Estuarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab in Alabama plans to screen the film daily in their kiosk starting later this summer. Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium began using the program last week, the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium in Iowa will begin next week and many others are underway! 

In addition, we are thrilled to currently offer the film at no cost to any facility that wishes to use it—and to offer the film in a wide range of formats including BluRay, DVDs, Loops and electronic files. 

Please share this exciting and educational opportunity with your colleagues today!
www.ocean-frontiers.org/aquarium

Request the film and the formats that best suit your needs by completing this
short form.
 
You can also view the new program here.
Kind regards,
Karen Meyer
Executive Director, Green Fire Productions

‘Tis the Season…

And We Wish You a Happy Holiday! 

Since our inaugural premiere in Port Orford, OR, Ocean Frontiers has
screened across the country from Boston to Los Angeles and Key West to Monterey.
It is with your help—our amazing 365 partners—that we have been able to host with you
140 Ocean Frontiers events for some 10,000 people in 27 states and 7 foreign countries.
From the depths of the oceans, we thank you! 

Happy Holidays, 
Karen Meyer & the Green Fire Productions Team  

Honor World Oceans Day & Grow the Ocean Frontiers Campaign

Ocean Frontiers Kicks Off National Tour & Guests Governor Kitzhaber & First Lady Cylvia Hayes Join the Celebration

Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber and First Lady Cylvia Hayes join Leesa Cobb, executive director of Port Orford Ocean Resource Team, on boat tour of Redfish Rocks Marine Reserve (seen in background) on February 12, 2012

On February 11, 2012, the Savoy Theatre in Port Orford, Oregon, the western most point in the continental United States, was filled to capacity when Oregon First Lady Cylvia Hayes took the stage to declare, “I’m proud to be an Oregonian.” Hayes went on to say, “It doesn’t surprise me at all that Oregon is one of the states featured in this film, because we have an incredible story to tell.”

Sitting in the front rows were Governor Kitzhaber and First Lady Hayes, Mayor Jim Auborn and County Commissioner David Itzen. State Representative Wayne Krieger (R-Gold Beach), Co-Speaker Arnie Roblan (D-Coos Bay) and Senator Kruse (R-Roseburg) took a break from the legislative session—traveling four hours from the state capitol to attend this important event.

“Ocean Frontiers” is a documentary that tells the story of people across the country working together to sustain their coastal communities that depend on healthy oceans. Port Orford and the work of the Port Orford Ocean Resource Team is one of the four stories.

As the film came to a close, the audience leaped to its feet giving filmmakers Karen and Ralf Meyer an enthusiastic standing ovation.

While in Port Orford the Governor and First Lady toured the Port Orford Ocean Resource Team’s Marine Science Facility, which is currently under construction. Looking out at one of the most picturesque stretches of the Pacific coast, they learned of the community’s work to keep Port Orford fishing sustainably.

At dawn the next day the Governor and First Lady climbed aboard the fishing vessel Top Gun with Captain Jeff Miles to tour the newly designated Redfish Rocks Marine Reserve.

Jeff Miles, a Port Orford fisherman with thirty-five years of experience said, “We feel very honored that the Governor and First Lady came to Port Orford to learn about what people are doing here. I read people very well, and it was clear that they have a genuine interest about the future of Oregon’s fishing industry.”

Lyle Keeler, a Port Orford fisherman of forty years, said, “I was most impressed that on a cold, stormy February day the Governor and First Lady ventured out with us on a small fishing boat to learn about the science taking place in our new Redfish Rocks marine reserve.”

After the film, the reception at the American Legion Hall featured Port Orford Sustainable Seafood and was packed with Port Orford residents who expressed their unanimous pride in the accomplishments of their local organizations and community.

“This was an amazing event which brought our community together with our elected leaders and natural resource agencies to bring the conversation about ocean health, conservation and ocean literacy to the next level,” said Kelly Sparks, Project Coordinator with the Redfish Rocks Community Team.

Representative Krieger said, “On their own, this community offered up a marine reserve that came to be known as Redfish Rocks. I was of the opinion, and I still am, that the greatest value of marine reserves is the ability to do research, to learn and better understand what actually is happening in the ocean itself. I think that’s very do-able.”

Representative Krieger added, “One thing we haven’t done a good job with is putting money into marine research in this state. Oregon must continue funding marine research if we want to move ahead in the ocean.”

The other three segments of “Ocean Frontiers”—Massachusetts Bay, Florida Keys, Iowa/Gulf of Mexico—tell the story of people from different arenas coming together to find solutions that benefit their economic interests as well as the environment. They recognize that a healthy ocean and coastal ecosystem is the basis for their economic well-being.

Oregon First Lady Cylvia Hayes said, “‘Ocean Frontiers’ presents a starting point to help ensure that these kinds of success stories are told and better understood. We need to illustrate that communities are taking steps to invest in their own economic futures and in the conservation of our shared natural resources. Not only can this garner additional support for these incredible grassroots efforts, but hopefully it will inspire communities across the state and beyond.”

“Ocean Frontiers” will next premiere in Newport, Oregon on February 22nd, in Portland, Oregon on March 7th and will continue to tour the nation. Karen Meyer, producer of “Ocean Frontiers” said, “During the production of ‘Ocean Frontiers’ the United States adopted its first-ever National Ocean Policy. This policy encourages exactly the types of successful projects featured in ‘Ocean Frontiers’ and supports state leadership regarding ocean health.”

Governor Kitzhaber repeated this theme in his address to the crowd at the “Ocean Frontiers” premiere and said, “We all know that the challenges facing coastal communities are not going to be resolved by one or two initiatives, it’s going to take a long, thoughtful approach that brings together good science, strong leadership and a commitment to conserving resources while promoting economic prosperity for all. Now, that may sound like a tall order but I am sure America can do it. What you have done here in Port Orford is truly remarkable and is worth repeating across our state and across the nation.”

 

Sneak Preview at the Coastal Communities Conference

Download Event Poster

The Coastal Communities Conference in Nantucket, Massachusetts is hosting a special sneak preview of Ocean Frontiers Thursday, 7pm, September 29 at the Nantucket Yacht Club

Rachel Hobart, director of ReMain Nantucket and conference host said, “We are thrilled to present this special sneak preview of Ocean Frontiers—the film is the perfect way to kickoff our Coastal Communities Conference. There is tremendous interest in Ocean Frontiers.” The conference brings together scientists, city planners, stewards of the environment, and government officials to explore the impact of coastal and marine spatial planning on how we use our waterways.

Whether you are hosting a conference, workshop or meeting on the national ocean policy and marine spatial planning, Ocean Frontiers is an ideal way to help people understand these seemingly complex issues through the engaging, solutions-oriented stories of people practicing marine spatial planning across the country. Contact the Producers, Green Fire Productions, to use Ocean Frontiers in your work.