Blog

Overview

The coast of Mendocino supports the livelihoods, lifestyle, and culture of many communities through its working waterfronts. Jobs and the welfare of the community are closely tied to the region’s water-dependent activities, identity and cultural and economic heritage. Today’s Mendocino communities face tough resilience challenges including extreme weather events, changing climate and ocean conditions, and the continued viability of waterfronts, marine-based industries and cultural resources.

At the same time, Mendocino’s interconnected coastal culture and communities represent a great opportunity for developing a blue economy strategy that embraces climate resiliency and enables these communities to remain economically and culturally vibrant.  In 2022, the Blue Economy Symposium and Learning Festival led to the formation of the Noyo Ocean Collective, a unique partnership uniting the City of Fort Bragg, Noyo Harbor District, Sherwood Valley Band of Pomo Indians, Mendocino College, West Business Development Center and Noyo Center for Marine Science.  The Noyo Ocean Collective and its partner entities are beginning to plan and support coastal resilience strategies that include adaptation, restoration, and transitional support for habitats and populations.

To support these efforts, California Sea Grant and the City of Fort Bragg are partnering to host a 24-month Coastal Mendocino Extension Fellowship. The fellow will help to inform the development of the Noyo Harbor Blue Economy Visioning, Resiliency and Implementation Plan. This will include collecting data, conducting analyses and integrating this information into planning. The fellow will also help coordinate and conduct community engagement to share information and solicit input on science results and planning concepts. The position will be physically based in Fort Bragg, CA and the fellow will be part of the City of Fort Bragg special projects team.  The fellow will also be a member of the California Sea Grant extension team and jointly mentored by a team of four California Sea Grant Extension Specialists.

Read more and apply here.