FINDING YOUR

BLUE SPACE

PLACE IN THE

Historically, underserved communities across the U.S. have lacked equal access to benefits of the Blue Economy, including recreational use, job opportunities, educational awareness, and resources. Additionally, until now, federal agencies and private land stewards have lacked the data and tools to create solutions that appropriately engage diverse populations in the Blue Economy.
By increasing awareness and access through socially relevant and scientifically validated tools, we can build an attachment to blue spaces while strengthening communities and our economies. To do this, we created iCOAST.

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iCOAST

In partnership with the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (NOAA ONMS), the iCOAST (Inclusion through Convergence of Ocean and Social Technology) project aims to harness research focused on equitable access to the Blue Economy. With the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary in Michigan as the first area of focus, iCOAST is creating tools and accessible resources that better align with the needs and desired experiences of underserved communities. The result will be long-term, sustainable, and investible solutions that benefit society as a whole.

INTRODUCING

PROJECT INFODATA MODELING

HOW

iCOAST WORKS

We are working to harness the power of social science and data to better understand the relationships between underserved communities and the Blue Economy. This knowledge will help build long-term, investible, and accessible tools that create more authentic connections to these important spaces for everyone. Our process identifies relevant data specific to underserved communities. We will leverage that data to create strategic solutions that will: 

Make finding and accessing recreational opportunities turnkey through the use of a mobile app 

Create attachment and engagement in blue spaces through immersive experiences such as iCOAST camps

Educate and bring awareness to youth through AR gaming focused on aquatic resources and content

These tools are customizable to fit both the needs of underserved populations as well as the unique locations and resources of blue spaces in the U.S. One size does not fit all, and the iCOAST toolkit can be scaled to meet the needs of both people and places.

iCOAST WORKS

WHY

Building attachment to our Nation’s valuable natural resources is critical to the sustainability of both the resources and people who depend on them. The Blue Economy offers access for all Americans if they are aware of and able, to pursue such chances. We provide a community-centered approach to enhancing awareness and connections to the Blue Economy by combining storytelling, education, and experiences that are supported by data analysis and modeling that continually updates with longitudinal user data. 

Our toolkit of resources includes everything an organization would need to enhance successful outreach and awareness to underserved communities, driving socially beneficial outcomes and organizational performance.

Amplifying voices of communities through social platforms and media channels to create relevant and captivating content.

Storytelling

Storytelling

Amplifying voices of communities through social platforms and media channels to create relevant and captivating content.

Education

Augmented reality games that provide immersive experiences to enhance learning outcomes and attachment.

Education

Augmented reality games that provide immersive experiences to enhance learning outcomes and attachment.

Modeling

Human dimension modeling to understand specific communities and best practices for increasing awareness.

Modeling

Human dimension modeling to understand specific communities and best practices for increasing awareness.

Opportunities

Camps and recreation opportunities for underserved communities to access the Blue Economy.

Access

Camps and recreation opportunities for underserved communities to access the Blue Economy.

MEET THE ARCHITECTS

OF iCOAST

iCOAST aims to create innovative tools and educational resources that help to improve human engagement with blue spaces and the Blue Economy. We’ve assembled an eclectic team of scholars, educational institutions, government agencies, and businesses to tackle this problem and offer viable, investible, and long-term solutions. 

Dr. Erienne Olesh, Executive Director of Student & Faculty Innovation, West Virginia University

Leading the project for West Virginia University is Dr. Robert Burns- Professor & Director, WVU School of Natural Resources. Assisting Dr. Burns is Dr. Ross Andrew- Research Assistant Professor, WVU School of Natural Resources.

Dr. Burns’ and Dr. Andrew’s core team includes:

Dr. Taylor Stein, Professor, University of Florida

Dr. Harrison Pinckney, Assistant Professor, Clemson University

Dr. Danielle Schwarzmann, Chief Economist, NOAA'S Office of National Marine Sanctuaries

Dr. Ross Andrew

Research Assistant Professor, WVU School of Natural Resources

Professor & Director, 
WVU School of Natural Resources

Dr. Robert Burns

With our expertise and background combined, we are creating convergent solutions for sustainable connections to the Blue Economy for ALL people. 

The iCOAST team is supported by scholars from the University of Florida and Clemson University, a team from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (NOAA ONMS), and commercial industry leaders from Orbis, Inc., and Agents of Discovery Inc. 

Drop us a line to learn more about iCOAST or to connect with our team.

Questions?

MEET THE ARCHITECTS

OF iCOAST

Copyright © 2022 iCOAST. All rights reserved.

A National Science Foundation Convergence Accelerator funded project. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed in this project material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

A National Science Foundation Convergence Accelerator funded project. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed in this project material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

In partnership with the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (NOAA ONMS), the iCOAST (Inclusion through Convergence of Ocean and Social Technology) project aims to harness research focused on equitable access to the Blue Economy. With the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary in Michigan as the first area of focus, iCOAST is creating tools and accessible resources that better align with the needs and desired experiences of underserved communities. The result will be long-term, sustainable, and investible solutions that benefit society as a whole.

We are working to harness the power of social science and data to better understand the relationships between underserved communities and the Blue Economy. This knowledge will help build long-term, investible, and accessible tools that create more authentic connections to these important spaces for everyone. Our process identifies relevant data specific to underserved communities. We will leverage that data to create strategic solutions that will: 

Make finding and accessing recreational opportunities turnkey through the use of a mobile app

iCOAST aims to create innovative tools and educational resources that help to improve human engagement with blue spaces and the Blue Economy. We’ve assembled an eclectic team of scholars, educational institutions, government agencies, and businesses to tackle this problem and offer viable, investible, and long-term solutions.

Leading the project for West Virginia University is Dr. Robert Burns- Professor & Director, WVU School of Natural Resources. Assisting Dr. Burns is Dr. Ross Andrew- Research Assistant Professor, WVU School of Natural Resources.

Dr. Burns’ and Dr. Andrew’s core team includes:

Dr. Erienne Olesh, Executive Director of Student & Faculty Innovation, West Virginia University

Historically, underserved communities across the U.S. have lacked equal access to benefits of the Blue Economy, including recreational use, job opportunities, educational awareness, and resources. Additionally, until now, federal agencies and private land stewards have lacked the data and tools to create solutions that appropriately engage diverse populations in the Blue Economy.
By increasing awareness and access through socially relevant and scientifically validated tools, we can build an attachment to blue spaces while strengthening communities and our economies. To do this, we created iCOAST.

BLUE SPACE